Method of covering the sump of underground cavities

US4403887A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Karl F. L. Gloria · Hattingen, DE
• Alexander-Barbu Costinescu-Tataranu · Essen, DE
• Wilhelm Schuster · Linz, AT
• Jurgen Wittekind · Frankfurt am Main, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 2, 1981
• Grant date: Sep 13, 1983
• Expiry date: Jun 2, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G5/00
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of covering the sump of underground cavities which serve to store gaseous or liquid non-aqueous substances. The sump is covered with a layer of highly viscous crude oil which is at least 1 cm, and preferably 20 to 50 cm, thick. The crude oil contains not more than 7% hydrocarbons having up to 5 C atoms in a molecule thereof. The crude oil has a specific gravity of 20.degree. C. of at most 1.2 g/cm.sup.3.