UST is a trained affiliate of the Fuel Finder™ release detection method. Fuel Finder™ performs as a soil vapor monitoring system per EPA monthly monitoring method descriptions. It also performs groundwater monitoring and interstitial monitoring when circumstances provide for such use. Fuel Finder™ is based on the use of a proprietary polymer called Reclaim®. The polymer, contained in a stainless steel mesh housing, is exposed in observation wells within the underground storage tank and product line excavations. Polymer in the sensor adsorbs and concentrates hydrocarbon vapors or liquids, which typically comprise hundreds of different compounds in gasoline, kerosene or diesel fuels.
After a known exposure period, all sensors are removed from the wells on site, sealed, and transported to a central laboratory for testing. Test results compare total hydrocarbon content, the fuel "fingerprint" (types and relative amounts available of many different fuel-related compounds) from each well, and the degree of weathering of the available fuel residues. These analytical results indicate whether new product is available and, if so, which product type it may be. The process is roughly equivalent to performing a TPH/BTEX sampling event and analysis, for fuel-related vapors or liquids, from each well on a monthly basis.
Fuel FinderTM Advantages
Inexpensive - Costs for site assessment and well installation for a typical service station depend on state well installation requirements and the conditions of the site. Site operation never shuts down for installation or for testing.
Simple - There are no moving parts in the field, other than the well plug. All testing is performed in a central laboratory, so no field equipment or calibrations are needed. Quality control is assured through the use of trained company employees for all sensor installation and retrieval operations, and with good laboratory practices.
Sensitive - Detects very small releases, due to its ability to concentrate available hydrocarbons through the adsorption process. Once an upward trend in fuel residues (vapor or liquid) is confirmed, gas chromatographic (GC) analyses of each stored product are used to identify the offending product and, by comparing concentration differences at various wells, estimate the approximate location of a break. In the case that chromatographic testing does not yield conclusive information, tracing chemicals may be introduced to tank systems. After an exposure period each sensor is then checked for the presence of tracers outside tank systems.
Safe - Wells are installed after lines and tanks are located, and all holes are probed before casings are put in place. Unless the Client requests otherwise, we do place wells in between tanks, thereby getting better coverage of tankhold for new releases. The wells are the only equipment needed at the site.
Continuous monitoring - Sensors are able to store the majority of hydrocarbons adsorbed during the test period so they reflect the near-maximum concentrations attained in that period.
Complete system - Can provide not only the positive indication that a release has occurred, but can also identify the product and estimate a release's location. In addition, through the use of tracing chemicals and chromatographic analyses, Fuel Finder™ shows whether hydrocarbon contamination is related to a product on site or may be from an unknown source.