Composite thief hatch systems

1. A thief hatch comprising:

a flange body comprising a first polymer reinforced with glass wherein the flange body is configured to attach to a tank roof,

a lid operably connected to the flange body wherein the lid comprises a second polymer reinforced with glass and wherein the lid comprises a spring-loaded hinge mechanism operably connected to allow for at least partial opening and closing of the lid and wherein the spring-loaded hinge mechanism comprises a spring configured to act as an internal pressure relief device comprised of a composite, an aluminum, or combination thereof, wherein the internal pressure relief device is configured to allow for positive pressure relief, negative pressure relief, or both; and

a gasket between the flange body and the lid and wherein the gasket comprises an elastomer and wherein the gasket is substantially concentric with the flange body;

wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are the same material or different materials and wherein the gasket comprises bolt holes around the circumference and wherein the top of the gasket comprises an outside circumferential detent and an inside circumferential detent;

wherein the flange body comprises bolt holes around the circumference and a groove to accept the circumferential detents of the gasket.

2. The thief hatch of claim 1 wherein the outside circumferential detent and the inside circumferential detent are configured to ensure substantial concentricity of the gasket with the flange body.

3. The thief hatch of claim 1 which further comprises one or more sensors.

4. The thief hatch of claim 3 wherein the one or more sensors comprise a thermometer, a volatile organic compound detector, a lid closure sensor, or any combination thereof.

5. The thief hatch of claim 3 which further comprises a boss to hold the one or more sensors.

6. The thief hatch of claim 1 wherein the first polymer, the second polymer, or both comprises a polyetherimide.

7. The thief hatch of claim 1 wherein the flange body comprising the first polymer reinforced with glass comprises from about 20% to about 40% by weight of glass based on the total weight of the first polymer and glass.

8. The thief hatch of claim 1 wherein the lid comprising the second polymer reinforced with glass comprises from about 20% to about 40% by weight of glass based on the total weight of the second polymer and glass.

9. A thief hatch comprising:

a flange body comprising a first composite material wherein the flange is configured to attach to a tank roof; and

a lid operably connected to the flange body wherein the lid comprises a second composite material and wherein the lid comprises a hinge operably connected to allow for at least partial opening and closing of the lid;

wherein the first composite material and the second composite material are the same material or different materials; and

wherein the thief hatch further comprises a gasket between the flange body and the lid and wherein the gasket is substantially concentric with the flange body; and

wherein the gasket comprises bolt holes around the circumference and wherein the top of the gasket comprises an outside circumferential detent and an inside circumferential detent;

wherein the flange body comprises bolt holes around the circumference and a groove to accept the circumferential detents of the gasket.

10. The thief hatch of claim 1 , wherein the flange body comprises substantially no metal that is subject to corrosion.

11. The thief hatch of claim 9 , wherein the lid comprises substantially no metal that is subject to corrosion.

12. The thief hatch of claim 9 , wherein the first composite material, the second composite material, or both comprise a polymer.

13. The thief hatch of claim 9 , wherein the first composite material, the second composite material, or both comprise a reinforced polymer.

14. The thief hatch of claim 12 , wherein the polymer comprises a polyetherimide.

15. The thief hatch of claim 13 , wherein the polymer comprises a polyetherimide.

16. The thief hatch of claim 9 wherein the outside circumferential detent and the inside circumferential detent are configured to ensure substantial concentricity of the gasket with the flange body.