Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.

Abstract: A method of determining a volume of fluid associated with a fluid storage and dispensing system, the volume of fluid having a height in the system, wherein the system include measurement apparatus for measuring the height. The method includes collecting a plurality of height measurement data from the measurement apparatus in a form readable by a computer; storing the plurality of height measurement data in a compressed matrix format in a computer memory; and performing regression analysis using the compressed matrix format to calculate the volume of fluid associated with the system.

Abstract: A method of estimating the measuring accuracy of each of a plurality of dispensing meters which dispense fluid from a fluid dispensing system including a storage tank includes measuring a volume of fluid dispensed through each of the plurality of dispensing meters during a plurality of time intervals during which fluid is simultaneously dispensed through the plurality of dispensing meters; measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during each of the plurality of time intervals; and calculating a fraction of the volume of fluid dispensed through each of the dispensing meters by performing a regression analysis with respect to the measured volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank equated with a fraction of a sum of the measured volumes of fluid dispensed through the plurality of dispensing meters during each of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a fluid storage and dispensing system having a measurement apparatus for measuring a volume of fluid associated with the system and a plurality of temperature sensing devices disposed at a plurality of locations within the system. The method includes collecting a plurality of measurement data from the measurement apparatus and the plurality of temperature sensing devices in a form readable by a computer; storing the plurality of measurement data in a compressed matrix format in a computer memory; and statistically analyzing the compressed matrix format to determine operational monitoring information and to calculate the volume of fluid based on the measurement data collected from the measurement apparatus and the plurality of temperature sensing devices.

Abstract: A method of determining a volume of fluid associated with a fluid storage and dispensing system, the volume of fluid having a height in the system, wherein the system include measurement apparatus for measuring the height. The method includes collecting a plurality of height measurement data from the measurement apparatus in a form readable by a computer; storing the plurality of height measurement data in a compressed matrix format in a computer memory; and performing regression analysis using the compressed matrix format to calculate the volume of fluid associated with the system.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a fluid storage and dispensing system having a measurement apparatus for measuring a volume of fluid associated with the system and a plurality of temperature sensing devices disposed at a plurality of locations within the system. The method includes collecting a plurality of measurement data from the measurement apparatus and the plurality of temperature sensing devices in a form readable by a computer; storing the plurality of measurement data in a compressed matrix format in a computer memory; and statistically analyzing the compressed matrix format to determine operational monitoring information and to calculate the volume of fluid based on the measurement data collected from the measurement apparatus and the plurality of temperature sensing devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a fluid storage and dispensing system such as a fuel storage tank includes a dispensing apparatus which dispenses a quantity of fluid from the system based on an authorization, e.g., provided by a fuel access control system. Measurement data from the dispensing apparatus are collected in a form readable by a computer and stored in a memory. The stored measurement data are statistically analyzed to calculate a volume of fluid based on the measurement data collected from the dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: The operational performance of a fluid storage and dispensing system is monitored by measurement apparatus which measures a volume associated with the system. A plurality of measurement data is collected from the measurement apparatus in a form readable by a computer and is stored in a compressed matrix format in a computer memory. The compressed matrix format is statistically analyzed to determine operational monitoring information regarding the system. The temperature of the fluid may also be measured for calculating the volume associated with the system. The operational performance and volume of the fluid storage system may be precisely monitored without requiring presumptions as to the accuracy of the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A method of estimating the measuring accuracy of each of a plurality of dispensing meters which dispense fluid from a fluid dispensing system including a storage tank includes measuring a volume of fluid dispensed through each of the plurality of dispensing meters during a plurality of time intervals during which fluid is simultaneously dispensed through the plurality of dispensing meters; measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during each of the plurality of time intervals; and calculating a fraction of the volume of fluid dispensed through each of the dispensing meters by performing a regression analysis with respect to the measured volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank equated with a fraction of a sum of the measured volumes of fluid dispensed through the plurality of dispensing meters during each of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: The operational performance of a fluid storage and dispensing system is monitored by measurement apparatus which measures a volume associated with the system. A plurality of measurement data is collected from the measurement apparatus in a form readable by a computer and is stored in a compressed matrix format in a computer memory. The compressed matrix format is statistically analyzed to determine operational monitoring information regarding the system. The collected measurement data may also include error data resulting from the measurement apparatus. The method and apparatus permits precise monitoring of the operational performance of the fluid storage system without requiring presumptions as to the accuracy of the measurement apparatus.