No abstract

A procedure and apparatus for detection of petroleum-product leaks into the ground by measurement of the impedance between electrodes in the ground are proposed. Experimental results are presented.The detection of petroleum-product leaks into the ground is of great interest for environmental protection near repositories of liquid petroleum products, such as gasoline service stations. This problem can be solved by conductometry, i.e., by monitoring the impedance between electrodes in the ~ound. However, the known means for detection of petroleum-product leaks [ 1 ] do not provide the sensitivity and reliability required in practice.As a rule, storage tanks for petroleum products are installed on a sandy cushion, into which, in turn, leakage occurs. Depending on moisture content, the conductivity of sand is 10-3-10 -4 S/m; the conductivity of petroleum products is 10-5-10 -7 S/m. When the sand is partially filled by petroleum products, its conductivity takes intermediate values, which allows the presence of leaks to be determined from the change in impedance between electrodes.