I have a small dilema. Could anyone advise as to a specification or procedure for the on-line inspection of storage tanks for the oil inductry. I am aware of specifications API 653 & API-RP12R1, but do not have copies or familiar with them. We are conncerned with the thickness and corrosion conditions. I would welcome any comments regarding the standard requirements needed to satisfy a continuation of use. Thanks in anticipation.
00:16 Mar-01-2001 John O'Brien Consultant, - Chevron ETC , USA, Joined Jan 2000 278
Re: Tank Inspection It will depend upon your jursdiction and which is the determining component of the tank.
653 gives clear guidance on external ultrasonic thickness measurement, plus visual and settelement figures for the shell and roof all of which are accessible on line.
The floor is usually the difficult area as it is not generally accessible in service.
API 653 deals with this on either a fixed shutdown interval or perform and RBI analysis to determine the relevent inspection interval.
There are other tools that can be used on line such as submersible robots ( very expensive) or Acoustic Emission.
EEMUA in Europe is the only agency to issue clear rules on the application of Ae for corrosion assessment of storage tank floors on-line.
Often you may want to integrate AE testing into an overall RBI analysis.
03:11 Mar-01-2001 S.V.Swamy Engineering, - Material Testing Inspection & Quality Control Retired from Nuclear Fuel Complex , India, Joined Feb 2001 785
Re: Tank Inspection : I have a small dilema. Could anyone advise as to a specification or procedure for the on-line inspection of storage tanks for the oil inductry. I am aware of specifications API 653 & API-RP12R1, but do not have copies or familiar with them. We are conncerned with the thickness and corrosion conditions. I would welcome any comments regarding the standard requirements needed to satisfy a continuation of use. Thanks in anticipation.
The thickness and corrosion measurements can be done with ultrasonic thickness gauges having a A-scan display in addition to the usual digital readout, so that the interface of the good and the corroded metals can be seen by its echo. Quantitative specifications of how much corrosion is acceptable can be found from the appropriate specifications and safety agencies. I will be happy to discuss more if needed - Swamy .
04:19 Mar-02-2001 Michael Trinidad Consultant, LMATS Pty Ltd , Australia, Joined Jan 2003 138
Re: Tank Inspection To perform a tank inspection to API-653 requires several codes (API 575, 650, 651, 652, 653, 2015, 2207, ASME V and IX). The codes tend to refer to each other especially 653 and 650.
The new syllabii is available from the link below.
Re: Tank Inspection In addition to manual methods, automated UT offers a resonable cost - and VERY rapid means of performing on-line UT inspection for tanks and many other similar strucutures. The many advantages of using automated systems is the ability to obtian full imaging data of your inspected areas - including very large areas if conditions warrant. The amount of information and insight into the material is significantly greater than through manual A-Scan techniques.
You can check examples of this type of inspection at our website at www.scanningsystems.com - which is now a part of NDT Automation.
: : I have a small dilema. Could anyone advise as to a specification or procedure for the on-line inspection of storage tanks for the oil inductry. I am aware of specifications API 653 & API-RP12R1, but do not have copies or familiar with them. We are conncerned with the thickness and corrosion conditions. I would welcome any comments regarding the standard requirements needed to satisfy a continuation of use. Thanks in anticipation. . : The thickness and corrosion measurements can be done with ultrasonic thickness gauges having a A-scan display in addition to the usual digital readout, so that the interface of the good and the corroded metals can be seen by its echo. Quantitative specifications of how much corrosion is acceptable can be found from the appropriate specifications and safety agencies. I will be happy to discuss more if needed - Swamy : . .
Re: Tank Inspection We are in the process in evluating the difference between Magnetic TFT and AE equipment. Please advise what is better in tems of cost and performance. Please also advise where one can purcahse these equipment second hand.
09:33 Apr-19-2001 John O Brien Consultant, - Chevron ETC , USA, Joined Jan 2000 278
Re: Tank Inspection You cannot compare TFT and AE they serve totally different functions. You apply AE as a on-line Tank Floor condition assessment tool to determine when and on what priorities to shutdown a storage tank. It is a risk assessment tool. This approach saves you money on not taking good tanks out of service too early.
TFT is something you need to do once the decision has been made to take the tank out of service and you use it to identify areas and extent of repairs.
There are a number of TFT Manufacturers Silverwing UK MFE Enterprises USA AEA Sonomatic UK Rosen Inspection Netherlands
Some have advantages and disadvantages based on plate thickness, reporting and internal floor coatings so choose carefully. Second hand equipment you may need to speak to the manufacturers or trawl the internet.
AE test equipment is much more specialised. The issue is not just one of recording data signals. Experience, interpretation and access to a database of past tests is much more important. Look at thereport on NDT Net from Shell under How Reliable Is AE tank testing ECNDT Denmark.
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