UST VS. AST STORAGE TANK - What is the Difference Between a UST vs. AST Tank? - There are just about 15 million storage tanks all across the United States. An estimate of 544,000 underground storage tanks or UST tanks store the nation’s petroleum and chemical materials. An underground storage tank is a tank and its underground piping that is connected to the tank with a minimum of 10 percent of its collective volume underground. The regulations of UST tanks vary and are based on if the system contains certain chemical materials like petroleum, methane, or solvents. It’s useful to know that both the state and the federal regulations for UST tanks may be different. Some tanks to note that are free from EPA regulations include overview tanks, septic tanks, process tanks, farm tanks, and residential tanks. An aboveground storage tank is a storage vessel that is aboveground. It contains liquids like water, crude oils, gases, chemicals, and petroleum in large amounts. AST tanks have firm platforms attached to them and stainless steel, fiberglass, or polyethylene make up their material. Most tanks can hold up to 30,000,000 gallons of liquids. To prevent any leakage or spilling to happen it contains a secondary vessel within. All modern AST tanks carry a device that detects any sign of overflow or leak. The aboveground storage tank, better known as a bulk storage container, have regulations by the 40 CFR 112.

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UST vs. AST  Storage Tank

What is the Difference Between a UST vs. AST Tank?

All American Environmental

 

Did you know that there are just about 15 million storage tanks all across the United States?

An estimate of 544,000 underground storage tanks or UST tanks store the nation’s petroleum and chemical materials.

If you’re looking to find out what the differences are between UST and AST tanks you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more!

What is a UST Tank?

An underground storage tank is a tank and its underground piping that is connected to the tank with a minimum of 10 percent of its collective volume underground.

The regulations of UST tanks vary and are based on if the system contains certain chemical materials like petroleum, methane, or solvents.

It’s useful to know that both the state and the federal regulations for UST tanks may be different.

Some tanks to note that are free from EPA regulations include overview tanks, septic tanks, process tanks, farm tanks, and residential tanks.

What is an AST Tank, or Aboveground Storage Tank?

An aboveground storage tank is a storage vessel that is aboveground.

It contains liquids like water, crude oils, gases, chemicals, and petroleum in large amounts.

AST tanks have firm platforms attached to them and stainless steel, fiberglass, or polyethylene make up their material.

Most tanks can hold up to 30,000,000 gallons of liquids.

To prevent any leakage or spilling to happen it contains a secondary vessel within.

All modern AST tanks carry a device that detects any sign of overflow or leak.

The aboveground storage tank, better known as a bulk storage container, have regulations by the 40 CFR 112.

How are UST and AST Tanks regulated?

Beginning in the 1980s, Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, is known for regulating UST tanks.

This regulation focuses on correct training, inspections, spill containment, and financial responsibility.

Since 2009, the members of Congress have been able to distribute $200 million from the Leaking Underground Storage fund to the EPA to take care of UST leaks around the U.S.

The EPA is always going through updates and revisions. This is so that the EPA can be sure to help prevent and catch UST releases.

These releases are the main causes of groundwater contamination. These revisions also change some key parts of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Aboveground storage tanks contain regulations by various federal and local requirements, as do USTs.

The state and local authorities apply these requirements.

There is no federal plan that regulates ASTs.AST tanks require additional state and local maintenance to protect the health of humans and any hazards.

If the tank contains any explosive liquids or petroleum product it is safe to say that you must have the Clean Air Act and make sure to follow the proper instructions on a federal level.

Recognizing the Differences Between AST and UST tanks

UST and AST tanks are beneficial and resourceful when storing in bulk.

Now that you have knowledge on important key factors in how to distinguish an AST and UST tank this will help you in your own research.

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All American Environmental is a New Jersey based full service environmental consulting and contracting company. We provide environmental walk-thru, sub-surface evaluation, soil sampling and analysis, asbestos remediation, and oil tank replacements. We are fully licensed and insured in the State of New Jersey and have performed over 12,000 tank replacements in the past 20 years. All work is performed under local, state and federal regulations. We provide professional service for both residential and commercial clients.

Our Mission is to provide our clients with environmental services in a prompt, professional, and cost-effective method. We are state licensed and a registered contractor with the Department of Labor for Public Works. We own and operate our own equipment do not employ subcontractors, which allows us to offer customers very competitive pricing and highly reliable work. All jobs, large and small, are managed in compliance with federal and state guidelines.

The key to our success has always been our experience and customer service. We will visit your site, evaluate the need, and take the time to explain the entire process from start to finish. We handle the permitting and inspection process and coordinate with local and state authorities as needed. Our technical staff certified by the NJDEP and trained by OSHA. Your projects will be handled properly from start to finish by experienced professionals. An L.S.R.P oversees all site assessments, investigations, & remediations on behalf of the NJEDP.

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UNDERSTANDING CFRP COMPOSITES - Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (CFRP) are lightweight, strong materials used in the manufacturing of numerous products used in our daily life. It is a term used to describe a fiber-reinforced composite material that uses carbon fiber as the primary structural component. The "P" in CFRP can also stand for "plastic" instead of "polymer." CFRP composites use thermosetting resins such as epoxy, polyester, or vinyl ester. Although thermoplastic resins are used in CFRP Composites, "Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites" often go by their own acronym, CFRTP composites. Composite materials, reinforced with carbon fiber, are different than other FRP composites using traditional materials such as fiberglass or aramid fiber. A traditional fiberglass reinforced composite using continuous glass fiber with a fiber of 70% glass (weight of glass / total weight), will commonly have a density of .065 pounds per cubic inch. Meanwhile, a CFRP composite, with the same 70% fiber weight, might typically have a density of .055 pounds per cubic inch. Not only are carbon fiber composites lighter weight, but CFRP composites are much stronger and stiffer per unit of weight. This is true when comparing carbon fiber composites to glass fiber, but even more so when compared to metals.

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Understanding CFRP Composites

The Amazing Capabilities of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers

By Todd Johnson

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (CFRP) are lightweight, strong materials used in the manufacturing of numerous products used in our daily life.

It is a term used to describe a fiber-reinforced composite material that uses carbon fiber as the primary structural component.

It should be noted that the "P" in CFRP can also stand for "plastic" instead of "polymer."

In general, CFRP composites use thermosetting resins such as epoxy, polyester, or vinyl ester.

Although thermoplastic resins are used in CFRP Composites, "Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites" often go by their own acronym, CFRTP composites.

When working with composites or within the composites industry, it is important to understand the terms and acronyms.

More importantly, it is necessary to understand the properties of FRP composites and capabilities of the various reinforcements such as carbon fiber.

Properties of CFRP Composites

Composite materials, reinforced with carbon fiber, are different than other FRP composites using traditional materials such as fiberglass or aramid fiber.

The properties of CFRP composites that are advantageous include:

Light Weight: A traditional fiberglass reinforced composite using continuous glass fiber with a fiber of 70% glass (weight of glass / total weight), will commonly have a density of .065 pounds per cubic inch.

   Meanwhile, a CFRP composite, with the same 70% fiber weight, might typically have a density of .055 pounds per cubic inch.

Increased Strength: Not only are carbon fiber composites lighter weight, but CFRP composites are much stronger and stiffer per unit of weight. This is true when comparing carbon fiber composites to glass fiber, but even more so when compared to metals.

   For example, a decent rule of thumb when comparing steel to CFRP composites is that a carbon fiber structure of equal strength ​will often weigh 1/5th that of steel.

   You can imagine why automotive companies are investigating using carbon fiber instead of steel.

   When comparing CFRP composites to aluminum, one of the lightest metals used, a standard assumption is that an aluminum structure of equal strength would likely weigh 1.5 times that of the carbon fiber structure.

   Of course, there are many variables that could change this comparison.

   The grade and quality of materials can be different, and with composites, the manufacturing process, fiber architecture, and the quality need to be taken into account.

Disadvantages of CFRP Composites

Cost: Although amazing material, there is a reason why carbon fiber is not used in every single application.

   At the moment, CFRP composites are cost-prohibitive in many instances.

   Depending on the current market conditions (supply and demand), the type of carbon fiber (aerospace vs. commercial grade), and the fiber tow size, the price of carbon fiber can vary dramatically.

   Raw carbon fiber on a price-per-pound basis can be anywhere between 5-times to 25-times more expensive than fiberglass.

   This disparity is even greater when comparing steel to CFRP composites.

Conductivity: This can be both an advantage to carbon fiber composites, or a disadvantage depending on the application.

   Carbon fiber is extremely conductive, while glass fiber is insulative. Many applications use glass fiber, and cannot use carbon fiber or metal, strictly because of the conductivity.

   For example, in the utility industry, many products are required to use glass fibers. It is also one of the reasons why ladders use glass fiber as the ladder rails.

   If a fiberglass ladder were to come in contact with a power line, the chances of electrocution are much lower. This would not be the case with a CFRP ladder.

   Although the cost of CFRP composites still remains high, new technological advancements in manufacturing are continuing to allow for more cost-effective products.

   Hopefully, in our lifetime, we will be able to see cost-effective carbon fiber used in a wide range of consumer, industrial, and automotive applications.

Todd Johnson

Science Expert

Education

B.S., Business Management, University of Colorado Boulder

Introduction

Regional Sales Manager for Composites One, a distributor of composite materials.

B.S. in Business Management from University of Colorado Boulder's Leeds School of Business

Business Development Manager for Ebert Composites Corporation

Experience

Todd Johnson is a former writer for ThoughtCo, who wrote about plastics and composite materials for 2-1/2 years between 2010 and 2013. He is a Regional Sales Manager at Composites One, a composite materials distributor in San Diego, CA. Johnson provides support to the Greater San Diego manufacturers of fiber reinforced and polymer products. He regularly attends composite industry trade shows including JEC, ACMA, SME, and SAMPE. In 2008 he presented at the Global Pultrusion Conference in Baltimore, MD. Previously, Todd spent six years as the Business Development Manager for Ebert Composites Corporation. 

Education

B.S., Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services - the University of Colorado-Boulder's Leeds School of Business; attended Griffith University in Queensland, Australia.  

A Message from Todd Johnson​

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/understanding-cfrp-composites-820393

COMPOSITE MATERIALS IN AIRPLANES - Weight reduction is the single greatest advantage of composite material usage. A lower-weight plane is more fuel-efficient because it requires less fuel to propel itself forward - Composite materials — especially those made from glass fibers, carbon fibers, and Kevlar — are widely used in the aircraft industry. They are stronger and lighter than aluminum, the metal that's most commonly used in aircraft bodies. Composite materials are so named because they consist of two or more materials. The composites used in planes consist of fibers suspended in a matrix of epoxy resin. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was the first commercial airplane to be constructed from 50% composite materials, mostly carbon fiber composites. The remainder of the plane consists mostly of aluminum, titanium, and steel. Composite materials have revolutionized aviation, but their use does present some engineering and maintenance challenges. Composites are also incredibly strong and as a result have a higher strength-to-weight ratio, also known as specific strength, than the metals used in making aircraft. Composite materials aren't prone to corrosion due to harsh chemicals, and they're resistant to many highly reactive chemicals.

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Composite Materials in Airplanes

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Composite Materials in Airplanes

Weight reduction is the single greatest advantage of composite material usage - a lower-weight plane is more fuel-efficient because it requires less fuel to propel itself forward

BY SARINA HOUSTON

Composite materials — especially those made from glass fibers, carbon fibers, and Kevlar — are widely used in the aircraft industry.

They are stronger and lighter than aluminum, the metal that's most commonly used in aircraft bodies.

Composite materials are so named because they consist of two or more materials.

The composites used in planes consist of fibers suspended in a matrix of epoxy resin.

Fiberglass is a composite material made of glass fibers and epoxy resin. It was first used in aircraft, by Boeing, in the 1950s.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was the first commercial airplane to be constructed from 50% composite materials, mostly carbon fiber composites; All Nippon Airways put the first 787 into service in October 2011.

The remainder of the plane consists mostly of aluminum, titanium, and steel.

Composite materials have revolutionized aviation, but their use does present some engineering and maintenance challenges.

Here is a roundup of the advantages and disadvantages of using composites in aircraft.

Advantages

Weight reduction is the single greatest advantage of composite material usage. A lower-weight plane is more fuel-efficient because it requires less fuel to propel itself forward.

Composites are also incredibly strong and as a result have a higher strength-to-weight ratio, also known as specific strength, than the metals used in making aircraft.

In addition, they resist compression and don't easily break under tension.

Composite materials aren't prone to corrosion due to harsh chemicals, and they're resistant to many highly reactive chemicals. They can also handle wide variations in temperature and exposure to severe weather.

Another big advantage of composites is their design flexibility: They can be made into just about shape.

And a single, oddly shaped piece of composite can replace many pieces made of other materials. That helpful characteristic cuts down on maintenance and so can reduce costs over the lifetime of a plane.

Once a composite piece has been formed, it maintains its shape and size.

That's important in the aircraft industry because it means the essential parts of a plane made out of composite materials won't grow, shrink, or change form as environmental conditions vary.

Disadvantages

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of composite materials for aircraft and component manufacturers is their higher initial cost compared with metals.

The greater cost is largely due to the price of the fibers and the complicated process required to make the finished materials.

It can be difficult to tell when the interior structure of a composite aircraft piece has been damaged. That makes inspections difficult and more costly.

One issue that comes up during inspections is delamination — when layers of composites separate.

The biggest cause of delamination is an impact to the composite piece. Water can infiltrate a piece that has experienced delamination, and the problem will get worse as the water freezes and thaws.

Standard aircraft composite materials do not conduct electricity and so, unlike aluminum, cannot prevent lightning from being directed to a plane's fuel tanks.

That problem was corrected for the 787 by incorporating wire mesh into the composite.

Finally, the resin used in composite materials weakens at temperatures as low as 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and a temperature above 300 degrees might result in aircraft failure.

When composite materials burn, they give off toxic fumes and micro-particles into the air, causing health risks.

For all of those reasons, fire prevention is crucial on planes built with composites.

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COMPOSITE MATERIAL - The most common example of a composite is concrete. Structural steel rebar provides the strength and stiffness to the concrete, while the cured cement holds the rebar stationary. Rebar alone would flex too much and cement alone would crack easily. However, when combined to form a composite, an extremely rigid material is created. The composite material most commonly associated with the term "composite" is Fiber Reinforced Plastics. This type of composite is used extensively throughout our daily lives. Modern composite materials have a number of advantages over other materials such as steel. Composites are much lighter in weight. They also resist corrosion, are flexible and dent-resistant.

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Composite Material

What is the Definition of a Composite Material?

by Todd Johnson 

Loosely defined, a composite is a combination of two or more different materials that results in a superior (often stronger) product.

Humans have been creating composites for thousands of years to build everything from simple shelters to elaborate electronic devices.

While the first composites were made from natural materials like mud and straw, today's composites are created in a lab from synthetic substances.

Regardless of their origin, composites are what have made life as we know it possible.

A Brief History

Archaeologists say humans have been using composites for at least 5,000 to 6,000 years.

In ancient Egypt, bricks made from mud and straw to encase and reinforce wooden structures such as forts and monuments.

In parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, indigenous cultures build structures from wattle (planks or strips of wood) and daub (a composite of mud or clay, straw, gravel, lime, hay, and other substances).

Another advanced civilization, the Mongols, were also pioneers in the use of composites.

Beginning around 1200 A.D., they began building reinforced bows out of wood, bone, and natural adhesive, wrapped with birch bark.

These were far more powerful and accurate than simple wooden bows, helping Genghis Khan's Mongolian Empire to spread across Asia.

The modern era of composites began in the 20th century with the invention of early plastics such as Bakelite and vinyl as well as engineered wood products like plywood.

Another crucial composite, Fiberglas, was invented in 1935. It was far stronger than earlier composites, could be molded and shaped, and was extremely lightweight and durable. 

World War II hastened the invention of still more petroleum-derived composite materials, many of which are still in use today, including polyester.

The 1960s saw the introduction of even more sophisticated composites, such as Kevlar and carbon fiber. 

Modern Composite Materials

Today, the use of composites has evolved to commonly incorporate a structural fiber and a plastic, this is known as Fiber Reinforced Plastics or FRP for short.

Like straw, the fiber provides the structure and strength of the composite, while a plastic polymer holds the fiber together.

Common types of fibers used in FRP composites include:

·             Fiberglass

·             Carbon fiber

·             Aramid fiber

·             Boron fiber

·             Basalt fiber

·             Natural fiber (wood, flax, hemp, etc.)

In the case of fiberglass, hundreds of thousands of tiny glass fibers are compiled together and held rigidly in place by a plastic polymer resin.

Common plastic resins used in composites include:

·             Epoxy

·             Vinyl Ester

·             Polyester

·             Polyurethane

·             Polypropylene

Common Uses and Benefits

The most common example of a composite is concrete.

In this use, structural steel rebar provides the strength and stiffness to the concrete, while the cured cement holds the rebar stationary.

Rebar alone would flex too much and cement alone would crack easily. However, when combined to form a composite, an extremely rigid material is created.

The composite material most commonly associated with the term "composite" is Fiber Reinforced Plastics.

This type of composite is used extensively throughout our daily lives. Common everyday uses of fiber reinforced plastic composites include:

·             Aircraft

·             Boats and marine

·             Sporting equipment (golf shafts, tennis rackets, surfboards, hockey sticks, etc.)

·             Automotive components

·             Wind turbine blades

·             Body armor

·             Building materials

·             Water pipes

·             Bridges

·             Tool handles

·             Ladder rails

Modern composite materials have a number of advantages over other materials such as steel.

Perhaps most importantly, composites are much lighter in weight. They also resist corrosion, are flexible and dent-resistant.

This, in turn, means they require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan than traditional materials.

Composite materials make cars lighter and therefore more fuel efficient, make body armor more resistant to bullets and make turbine blades that can withstand the stress of high wind speeds.

Todd Johnson

Introduction

Regional Sales Manager for Composites One, a distributor of composite materials.

B.S. in Business Management from University of Colorado Boulder's Leeds School of Business

Business Development Manager for Ebert Composites Corporation

Experience

Todd Johnson is a former writer for ThoughtCo, who wrote about plastics and composite materials for 2-1/2 years between 2010 and 2013. He is a Regional Sales Manager at Composites One, a composite materials distributor in San Diego, CA. Johnson provides support to the Greater San Diego manufacturers of fiber reinforced and polymer products. He regularly attends composite industry trade shows including JEC, ACMA, SME, and SAMPE. In 2008 he presented at the Global Pultrusion Conference in Baltimore, MD. Previously, Todd spent six years as the Business Development Manager for Ebert Composites Corporation. 

Education

B.S., Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services - the University of Colorado-Boulder's Leeds School of Business; attended Griffith University in Queensland, Australia.  

A Message from Todd Johnson​

ThoughtCo and DotdashThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-composite-820406