How to detect leakage of diesel storage tank

Timely detection of diesel storage tank leakage is crucial to avoid environmental pollution, economic losses and potential safety hazards such as fire and explosion.

Diesel leakage can occur due to corrosion, structural damage, seal failure or improper installation.

A combination of daily visual inspections, auxiliary tool monitoring and professional technical detection methods is effective in identifying leaks at an early stage, laying a solid foundation for subsequent handling.

This is the most basic and accessible method. Inspectors should regularly check the tank's exterior, including the body, welds, joints, valves and pipelines.

Signs of leakage such as dark stains, wet areas or diesel odors around the tank base and connecting parts indicate potential leaks.

For underground or buried tanks, attention should be paid to abnormal vegetation growth as diesel can affect plant growth, or oil slicks on nearby groundwater surfaces, which may be signs of subsurface leakage.

Liquid level gauges installed on the tank can help track changes in diesel volume; an unexpected and continuous drop in liquid level, without corresponding outflow records, may indicate a leak.

For sealed tank systems, pressure gauges can monitor internal pressure fluctuations; abnormal pressure drops may signal leakage points.

Additionally, oil detection sensors placed around the tank perimeter or in groundwater monitoring wells can automatically alert operators to diesel presence, enabling real-time leakage detection.

Vacuum testing involves creating a vacuum in the tank or pipelines and monitoring pressure changes; sustained pressure loss indicates leaks.

Tracer gas detection uses non-toxic, inert gases injected into the tank; gas detectors then identify escaping gas to locate leaks accurately.

For underground tanks, soil vapor sampling and analysis can detect diesel vapors in the surrounding soil, helping to confirm leakage and its scope.