Underground Tanks Research Articles

Automated Monitoring System for Rainwater Harvesting Tank at Telkom University

The use of ground tank constructed by Telkom University for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH), is limited to environmental maintenance due to concerns regarding the quality of water in the underground tank. Therefore, this research aims to develop a remote monitoring device that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor the pH, water surface, submerged materials, and water clarity levels in ground tank. To achieve the requirements, pH, ultrasonic-based volume, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Turbidity sensors were selected due to the IoT connectivity. The enabling device, namely the ESP 32 microcontroller and Blynk platform were installed on monitoring dashboard on a tablet computer with 4GB of RAM. The result showed that calibration of each sensor had good accuracy, except for the Turbidity sensor due unavailable materials. In conclusion, the RWH monitoring system is suitable for use.

RANCANG BANGUN MODEL MONITORING UNDERGROUND TANK SPBU DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN SENSOR ULTRASONIK BERBASIS INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)

The management of underground tanks at gas stations is a crucial aspect to ensure the availability and safety of fuel. However, conventional methods for monitoring fuel levels in tanks are often ineffective and prone to human error. To address this issue, this research designs and develops a model for an underground tank monitoring system using ultrasonic sensors Internet of Things (IoT) integrated technology. The ultrasonic sensors are used to measure the fuel level in the tank in real-time, and this data is then transmitted to an IoT platform for analysis and monitoring through a user interface that can be accessed remotely. This system is expected to enhance operational efficiency and safety in the management of underground tanks at gas stations and provide early warnings in the event of abnormal conditions, such as leaks or excessively low fuel levels. The implementation results demonstrate that this system can provide accurate and reliable information, enabling better decision-making in fuel stock management

Seismic Strengthening of Elevated Reinforced Concrete Tanks: Analytical Framework and Validation Techniques

The prevalence of elevated reinforced concrete tanks is widespread across Italian water distribution networks, particularly in flat or low-relief areas. Primarily constructed by the late 1970s, these tanks often suffer from outdated hydraulic efficiency, unable to cope with the increasing urban water demands. With rising construction costs, the economic advantage has shifted toward underground tanks, leading to the decommissioning of many elevated tanks. Despite being obsolete, elevated tanks from the 1960s and 1970s still stand in densely urbanized regions. However, demolishing them may prove less cost-effective than retrofitting to restore their original structural capacity. The widespread presence of these structures, coupled with their susceptibility to decay from weathering and poor maintenance, necessitates a comprehensive assessment of their resilience against gravitational and lateral forces, including seismic activity. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop an analysis and verification methodology, particularly focused on seismic resilience, tailored to existing elevated tanks. These structures, distinct from conventional reinforced concrete frames, are primarily designed to withstand vertical forces, emphasizing the importance of optimizing material usage in their retrofitting efforts.

Evaluation of nanoparticle-enhanced silane and vinyl ester coatings for protecting concrete from ammonium sulfate

Inferior quality of concrete surface layers can lead to significant deterioration of concrete infrastructure due to the infiltration of fluids and deleterious substances from the surrounding environment. Concrete structures such as foundations, abutments, flatwork, and underground tanks in agricultural and mining zones, as well as slabs in factories producing ammonium-based fertilizers, are highly susceptible to ammonium sulfate attack, which is known as the most aggressive sulfate deterioration driven by acid-sulfate reactions. Coatings are an effective strategy for protecting such concrete structures to restore its performance and prolong its service life. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the performance of nano-based coatings as superficial treatments for concrete elements exposed to aggravated exposures of ammonium sulfate. Silane (hydrophobic agent) and vinyl ester (membrane-forming polymer) were used as base resins, in which nano-clay and nano-calcium carbonate particulates were dispersed at different dosages (0, 2.5, and 5 %). In addition, a colloidal silica solution was used as a surface treatment. The durability of coated concrete specimens was evaluated under two ammonium sulfate exposures: full immersion and combined with cyclic environmental conditions (freezing-thawing and wetting-drying cycles). Degradation of concrete specimens was monitored by visual assessment and quantified in terms of mass and length changes over time. In addition, the deterioration mechanisms and coatings’ performance were studied by thermal, mineralogical, and microstructural tests. The results showed that colloidal silica could not adequately protect concrete specimens from these exposures. Conversely, silane nanocomposites improved the durability of concrete under both exposures and superior performance was generally observed for concrete specimens coated with vinyl ester nanocomposites.

Geoelectric analysis for groundwater potential assessment and aquifer protection in a part of Shango, North-Central Nigeria

Groundwater is vital for sustainable development, and this study addresses potable water challenges in Shango, North-Central Nigeria. The main goal is to identify optimal sites for new wells and boreholes, utilizing geological and geo-electrical attributes from existing boreholes and wells. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) assessed groundwater potential, aquifer protection, and overburden corrosivity. Sixteen VES stations were probed using Schlumberger array with a maximum current electrode spacing (AB/2) of 200 m using a resistivity meter. The data were interpreted using an automatic computer inversion program, IPI2WIN. The VES results revealed five subsurface geo-electric units, with depths to the aquifer ranging from 58 to 68 m, each exhibiting distinct characteristics contributing to the lithological variability of the research area. Hydraulic conductivity ranged from 0.465 to 0.534 m/day, while transmissivity varied from 9.589 m2/day to 26.029 m2/day across different VES points. Regions exhibiting thick layers and low resistivity values indicate high longitudinal conductivity. Furthermore, areas with low protective capacity are susceptible to the risks of pollution and contamination stemming from leaks and waste sites. The study revealed that all VES points are in practically non-corrosive zones, making them suitable for burying underground tanks with extremely low deterioration rates. Based on geoelectrical characteristics, the study area was divided into three groundwater potential zones: low, medium, and high. These findings provide valuable insights into the groundwater potential and protective capacity of the Shango area, while emphasizing on the vulnerability of these regions and highlighting the pressing need for appropriate preventive measures to safeguard against potential environmental hazards.

Behavior of stressed skin corrugated sheet under hydrostatic loads

Water storage in buildings is an integral part of water supply, which can be used for firefighting and drinking. It can be divided into three categories: elevated, rooftop, and underground water tanks. This paper presents a novel water storage system consisting of thin-walled corrugated steel sheets, which can be installed in a multi-story building on any floor. Compared with a reinforced concrete tank, the integrated steel water tank can be fabricated and installed much faster and store freshwater more easily. To develop the system, a finite element model is developed, which is validated using the on-site measurements. Next, the model is used to conduct a parametric study to evaluate the effects of boundary conditions, panel depth, sheet thickness, trough-to-crest width ratio, and corrugation angle on the behavior of integrated steel water tanks. The model is further used to evaluate the water tank subjected to lateral diaphragm loads and report the tank stiffness under combined loads. Finally, an implementation guide for the steel tank is presented, showing the supporting system, vacuum and magnetic handling of steel panels, robotic welding techniques, and delivery. It can be concluded that the paneled steel tank can be an efficient solution for water storage inside buildings.

Full‐scale experimental and theoretical investigation on wall stress for underground ecological group tanks with four‐circle tangential connections

SummaryThe storage safety of edible oil is critical for global and Chinese food security. In this study, a practical underground four‐circle tangential group tank with the steel‐plate and concrete structure based on a grain storage warehouse was firstly introduced, and the measured hoop reinforcement stress of the outer tank wall is discussed. Secondly, a numerical model consistent with the practical underground group tank is established from the measured data. The distribution of the hoop reinforcement stress of the outer tank wall under earth pressure is extracted and analyzed thoroughly. Finally, formulas reflecting the properties of the hoop reinforcement stress distribution are presented based on the theoretical analysis, and their accuracy is verified by comparison with the measured data. It could be conducted from the experimental results and theoretical formulas that the outer tank wall is under compressive pressure station generally, and the compressive stress increases with the increasing of the ring angle until reaching a steady state. Moreover, the hoop stress curve follows a disproportional function approximately. The moment at 180° hoop with 1‐m plate belt follows the arc‐tangent function while the moment has a sudden‐change point at 120°, which has minor effect on the reinforcement of this tank wall. Consequently, additional attention should be paid to the effects of this sudden‐change phenomenon on the associated structures in in the process of designing of underground storage tanks.

Parametric and comparative study between anchored, strutted and cantilever system for a secant pile wall retaining a soil during construction an under-ground water tank

In the present study used numerical analysis to investigate the lateral displacement of secant pile walls and ground surface settlement problems for a case study. Three structural systems were modelled, analyzed, and designed to determine the best solution for each case: cantilever, anchored, and strutted secant pile wall (SPW). Field data from a case study were used to examine the lateral displacement and ground surface settlements of the strutted secant pile wall. Plaxis finite-element software was used to create a plane-strain numerical model. The findings of the numerous simulations performed are compared to field data, which shows very strong coherence.

Modelling and evaluating different multi-carrier energy system configurations for a Dutch house

The urge to reduce the dependence on natural gas for heating at the residential level has led to the deployment of different fossil fuel-free alternatives. In the Netherlands, two technologies are leading the transition: heat pumps, due to their high COP, and photovoltaic–thermal systems, due to their dual electric-thermal output. However, both represent a challenge for users and grid operators, aside from their stochastic behavior. Heat pumps alone can surpass a typical Dutch house’s total energy and power consumption. Photovoltaic–thermal systems, as their only electric homologs, usually have a mismatch between generation and demand, causing energy injections to the grid. From the electric perspective, storage systems are a proven solution to reduce the energy exchange with the distribution network. This paper proposes four multi-carrier energy system configurations for a Dutch household, comprising different combinations of a photovoltaic–thermal system, a battery energy storage, a heat pump, and an underground water tank thermal energy system, providing analytical models for every component (including the thermal losses from the thermal storage to the ground), and the space heating and electrical demands. We determined the components’ compatibility and evaluated the combinations considering their thermal performance, electrical performance, and equivalent CO2 emissions. The results suggest that using a heat pump combined with a photovoltaic system and a battery provides the best trade-off. The photovoltaic–thermal system alone could not supply the thermal demand required for comfortable space heating nor reach temperatures high enough to charge the thermal storage. Combining the thermal storage with the heat pump allows a certain degree of flexibility for the heat pump activation at the cost of COPs between 0.8 and 1.38 when used to charge the thermal storage, thus increasing energy consumption and equivalent emissions considerably.

Glass design using machine learning property models with prediction uncertainties: Nuclear waste glass formulation

The United States Department of Energy is responsible for managing the legacy nuclear waste stored in underground tanks at the Hanford Site. The waste will be separately vitrified as low-activity waste and high-level waste fractions. Waste glass formulation algorithms have been traditionally developed using partial quadratic mixture property-composition models. Recently, machine learning (ML) techniques have been used to predict glass properties and discover new glass materials for nuclear waste vitrification, and these advancements can be utilized to improve waste glass composition design. In this proof-of-principle study, ML algorithms such as Gaussian process regression (GPR) were used to interpolate glass properties (e.g., viscosity, electrical conductivity, chemical durability). After selecting appropriate sets of GPR hyper-parameters for each property, an optimization program was developed to formulate glass compositions to maximize waste loading while simultaneously satisfying property constraints. The results of the ML-based waste loadings and glass compositions were compared to those obtained using the traditional methods. Comparing to the previous glass design framework, the ML-based optimization methods offer improved glass designs and a streamlined approach to generation of optimally designed data and near real-time updates.

Climate Change and Water Security Scenario of an Agrarian Locale in Upper Punjab

Climate change is exacerbating both water scarcity and water-related hazards as rising temperatures disrupt precipitation patterns and the entire water cycle. Water is crucial for all types of living creatures; therefore, its availability and quality are important for humans, too. However, water-related issues have increased all over the world, and people are facing more difficulties than in the past. Water scarcity is the most obvious issue, which results from the imbalance between water demand and supply. It has numerous negative effects on community health and societal development. This study was undertaken in the agriculturally oriented rural locale of district Rawalpindi in Pothwar, region of Punjab, Pakistan. The study primarily assessed the magnitude of water scarcity and, further investigated the impact of water scarcity on the health of the local community and looked into the problems faced by women and children. A sample size of one hundred respondents was selected using the probability technique of Simple Random Sampling. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used in collecting and analyzing data for this field research. The major sources of water in the locale are distant natural wells. The research indicated that local inhabitants faced many difficulties in tapping distant natural water resources to meet their daily needs. Water is generally stored in plastic drums and plastic tanks, but some local people have also constructed underground concrete tanks. The water used for drinking and meeting various others' needs is contaminated, impure, unclean and hard. As a consequence, several diseases such as diarrhea, vomiting, kidney disorders and jaundice are common in the locale inhabitants because of water scarcity, which forces the people to use water from contaminated resources. Further, they have to bear expenses on the disease treatment, and spend extra money for fetching water.

МЕТОДИКА БАЛЛЬНО-ФАКТОРНОЙ ОЦЕНКИ ЧАСТОТЫ ИНИЦИИРУЮЩИХ ПОЖАРООПАСНЫЕ СИТУАЦИИ СОБЫТИЙ ДЛЯ ПОДЗЕМНЫХ ЕМКОСТЕЙ АВТОМОБИЛЬНОЙ ГАЗОЗАПРАВОЧНОЙ СТАНЦИИ

The purpose of the article is to develop a system for scoring the contributions of various technical and organizational measures to the magnitude of the risk of an accident based on existing approaches to the fire risk assessment at hazardous production facilities. To achieve the goal of the study and the formation of a score in cooperation with the organization operating the storage tanks of substances under pressure, a number of influencing factors were obtained. The following methods were applied in the work: analysis of hierarchies, comparison, analogy, study of documents and results of activities. The result of the work is the developed scoring system with groups of factors influencing the probability of an emergency and the resulting weight coefficients of the groups and the factors themselves. A method for point-factor estimation of the frequency of events initiating fire hazardous situations for underground liquefied petroleum gas tanks operated at gas filling stations is proposed. The results obtained can be used in assessing the fire risk for facilities where accidents can occur associated with the formation of an explosive and fire hazardous situation.

Field experiment on performance of water source heat pump using underground rainwater tank as heat source

Research on heat sources for various heat pump (HP) systems is ongoing worldwide to achieve carbon neutrality and mitigate global warming. In this study, a rainwater (RW) tank HP (RWHP) using an underground RW tank as a heat source and heat sink was installed in an actual building and evaluated for its potential to provide cooling during the summer season. The water temperature of RW tank, the inlet and outlet fluid temperature, and the power consumption were measured. Using the collected data, the thermal stability of the RW tank and the performance of the RWHP were analyzed. In addition, the effect of the water level of the RW tank and precipitation was analyzed. As a result, the RW tank functioned as the heat sink for the HP during the cooling season. If the water level in the RW tank and the moisture content of the surrounding ground are high because of precipitation, the water temperature in the tank can be maintained at a relatively stable level. The coefficient of performance (COP) and system COP (COPsys) ranged 2.41–3.38 and 1.80–2.50, respectively. When the rainwater temperature in the RW tank increased, the COP and COPsys tended to decrease. Through this study, the data necessary for optimization through future mathematical modeling was collected. Also, the basic mechanisms of the temperature distribution of the RW tank and the performance of the RWHP were identified. Additionally, the operation method and means for improving the system were determined to increase the energy efficiency and broaden the applicability of the system.

The Three-tank Watergy Configuration

The objective of this paper is to propose a generic mathematical model, capable of supporting the design of a custom Watergy plant and future testing of suited control algorithms. The subsystems of the Watergy system are an inside water tank, providing input water for the heat pump, accumulating watering water for plants, and acting like a buffer for the hydraulic operations between tanks, a surface water tank, collecting rain waters, accumulating warm water when the outside temperature is high and cold water when the outside temperature is low and an underground water tank, accumulating water at constant underground temperature.

Comparative Study of RCC Rectangular Underground Water Tanks Considering earth quake and without earth quake condition

There are various kinds of water tanks and reservoirs that are used for storing different liquids such as water, petroleum, and chemicals. Residential and commercial use of water tanks is essential in order to meet the needs of those living in these places on a daily basis. During their lifetime, these tanks are subjected to the pressure of the water inside and the pressure of the earth outside. The tank bases are subjected to soil reaction from the bottom and internal water pressure from the inside. In order to protect them from top to bottom, they are always covered from top to bottom. Providing optimum height for easy pumping of water to the overhead tank is the purpose of this rectangular underground tank. Due to the underground nature of the water tank, lateral earth pressure and water pressure also need to be considered during design calculations, so the design must comply with IS code standards. An underground rectangular tank is designed in this project. Our project involves the design and research of an underground water tank capable of holding 3 lakh litters under earthquake conditions. The design in this project comprises of side walls, base slab and roof slab. STAD.PRO is used for the analysis and design of underground water tanks. For this design project limit state method is used. Researchers investigate parameters related to water tanks, including shear force and bending moment, to better understand how they respond to seismic forces, and to aid in more effective design and construction.

The Surface and Ground-water Contamination in Sub-himalayas and Quality of Water in Poonch Region Azad Kashmir

The surface and ground water contamination in rivers, lakes, streams, wells and springs, in Sub-Himalayas have been evaluated. This is a critical question in determining the quality of water. Water quality depends on solutes and gases dissolved in Water. Quality is a result of natural physical and chemical state and any alteration made by human activities. The chemical and micro-organisms impact the quality of ground water coming from many sources, like agricultural chemicals 20%, animal wastes 10%, disposal of wastes from hospitals 8% , waste from cities 20%, septic tanks 10%, sewage water 12%, organic waters 5%, landfills 2%, leakage of underground tanks 7%, from food and air 2%. Carcinogenic compounds are cancer risk about 1%. A comprehensive research was conducted on surface and ground water in district poonch and adjoining areas. In this research Physical and chemical quality of water was evaluated to know the cause of diseases in Sub-Himalayas. The cause of diseases in the area of study is investigated. The data was also collected from hospitals. The hepatitis was reported 20%, typhoid 10%, gastroenteritis 33%. Chronic diseases like cancer about 10%, neurogenic problems 15%. Bone softness and heart failures are very common. The water samples were collected and immediately transported to the PCSIR laboratory for testing. The major elements in the water are Ca, 45.0-> 75;0 mg/l, Mg, 34.5-> 13.3 mg/l, Na, 22.7-13.0 mg/l, K, >2.7 -1.0 mg/l, HCO3, > 472-215.14 mg/l, Cl2, >24.0-2.43 mg/l, SO4, > 51.0-42.0 mg/l, NO3, 7.0-0.63 mg/l. The minor constituents include. Mn >6-1.0 mg/l, F, >2-2.0 mg/l , NO3, 4.7-6.8 mg/l. The trace elements such as Fe, 2.1-0.1 mg/l, Pb, >5.0-3.5 mg/l, Cu, 2-1 mg/l, Zn, >5.0-1.0 mg/l, Ni, >4.0-1.0 mg/l, Mn, 5.0-1.0 mg/l. The other elements Hg, Cr, were reported. The PH, 5.6-8.8 in drinking water create stomach diseases. During rainy season turbidity remain between 6.2- >13. Number of patients coming daily in the hospital and those admitted were also investigated. Most of the patients have kidney stone, lungs infection, dehydrogene, anemia, obstruction in nervous system, goiter, bronchitis, sore, throat infection, pneumonia, neuralgia, jaundice, malaria, cholera, gastroenteritis, typhoid, dysentery, skin diseases were reported. All diseases were waterborne.

Protecting Cape Town’s Groundwater from Fuel Stations: An In-Depth Analysis of Regulatory Requirements

In the face of mounting water supply challenges, Cape Town has increasingly turned to alternative sources, like groundwater. However, the utilisation of groundwater carries inherent risks, particularly the contamination stemming from land-based activities, such as fuel stations. Leaks from underground tanks at these stations represent a major global cause of groundwater pollution, and Cape Town is no exception. To safeguard public health and mitigate potential harm, it is imperative to examine the legal regulations governing fuel station development, assess measures for controlling their environmental impacts and evaluate strategies for managing the associated risks. This study aims to provide an exhaustive review of the regulatory framework concerning the environmental impacts of fuel stations, focusing on groundwater protection in Cape Town. A combination of desk research and interviews was employed to gather and analyse data. The findings show a deficiency in precautionary measures for safeguarding groundwater near fuel stations. Consequently, through this study, the existing legal framework’s effectiveness is called into question, with this study suggesting actions to address these identified shortcomings.

Investigation into Na and Cs activity coefficients in high salt solutions to support Cs removal in Hanford tank waste

Abstract The treatment of Hanford tank waste is one of the most technically challenging environmental cleanup activities for the U.S. Department of Energy to date. To expedite the processing of liquid waste stored in underground tanks in southeastern Washington state, it is necessary to remove the significant dose contributor, 137Cs. Toward this effort, ion exchange with crystalline silicotitanate (CST) has been employed as part of the Tank Side Cesium Removal system. The model used to predict Cs exchange onto CST was developed using activity coefficients calculated from the Bromley equation. A series of batch contact tests that varied in [Na] were conducted to look at the impact of Na concentration on Cs distribution. Experimental distribution ratios (K d) were compared to the distribution ratios predicted using three different activity coefficient models: (1) commercially available HSC software, (2) the Bromley equation, and (3) a simplified approach adapted from Marcos-Arroyo et al. Ultimately, the Bromley method underpredicted the effect of ionic strength on the Na activity coefficient (γ Na+), HSC overestimated the impact of ionic strength on the expected performance due to the Cs activity coefficient (γ Cs+), but the simplified approach predicted the experimental K d values quite well in a binary matrix. Expansion of this approach in complex matrices is necessary for application to Hanford tank waste.

The Effects of Spill Pressure on the Migration and Remediation of Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Aquifers

The spill pressure of the contaminant source is an important factor affecting the amount, location, form, and behavior of the dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) that plume in a contaminated subsurface environment. In this study, perchloroethylene (PCE) infiltration, distribution and, remediation via a surfactant-enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR) technique for a PCE spill event are simulated to evaluate the effects of the spill pressure of the contaminant source on the DNAPLs’ behavior in two-dimensional homogeneous and heterogeneous aquifers. Five scenarios with different spill pressures of contamination sources are considered to perform the simulations. The results indicate that the spill pressure of the contaminant source has an obvious influence on the distribution of DNAPLs and the associated efficiency of remediation in homogeneous and heterogeneous aquifers. As the spill pressure increases, more and more contaminants come into the aquifer and the spread range of contamination becomes wider and wider. Simultaneously, the remediation efficiency of contamination also decreases from 93.49% to 65.90% as the spill pressure increases from 33.0 kPa to 41.0 kPa for a heterogeneous aquifer with 200 realizations. The simulation results in both homogeneous and heterogeneous aquifers show the same influence of the spill pressure of the contaminant source on PCE behaviors in the two-dimensional model. This study indicates that the consideration of the spill pressure of the contaminant sources (such as underground petrol tanks, underground oil storage, underground pipeline, and landfill leakage) is essential for the disposal of contaminant leakage in the subsurface environment. Otherwise, it is impossible to accurately predict the migration and distribution of DNAPLs and determine the efficient scheme for the removal of contaminant spills in groundwater systems.

Comparison between Air-Exposed and Underground Thermal Energy Storage for Solar Cooling Applications

Solar energy is one of the main alternatives for the decarbonization of the electricity sector and the reduction of the existing energy deficit in some regions of the world. However, one of its main limitations lies in its storage, since this energy source is intermittent. This paper evaluates the potential of an underground thermal energy storage tank supplied by solar thermal collectors to provide hot water for the activation of a single-effect absorption cooling system. A simulator was developed in TRNSYS 17 software. Experimentally on-site measured data of soil temperature were used in order to increase the accuracy of the simulation. The results show that the underground tank reduces thermal energy losses by 27.6% during the entire hot period compared with the air-exposed tank. The electrical energy savings due to the reduction in pumping time during the entire hot period was 639 kWh, which represents 23.6% of the electrical energy consumption of the solar collector pump. It can be concluded that using an underground thermal energy storage tank is a feasible option in areas with high levels of solar radiation, especially in areas where ambient temperature drops significantly during night hours and/or when access to electrical energy is limited.