Propane Shpere Storage Tank

[Inchtain]

Good morning,

Our plan is to perform an external/on-stream inspection for a Propane Sphere Storage Tank including visual and UT thickness measurement only to assess its existing situation.

Can anyone provide me with a typical grid as CMLs (Corrosion Monitoring Locations) used to measure the thickness? and I would also appreciate any advice concerning the subject.

Could you be kind enough to inform me about the critical points to focus during our inspection?

Thank you very much.

 

[LittleInch]

Propane shouldn't have any water in it, but in case some has crept in then the bottom 10" of the sphere may need enhanced inspection.

Most issues will be around teh attachment points for the legs and any areas where water accumulates / doesn't drip off. So the top and bottom.

Spacing - not a clue but if asked to guess I would say every 200-300mm grid over most of the tank and 100mm at crucial areas.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Inchtain]

Thanks for reply.

So, is pneumatic test could be a suitable alternative, instead of hydraulic pressure test?

Regards,

 

[LittleInch]

That's a completley different question. Your question was about external insopection. Now you're suddenly talking about a pnuematic pressure test??

No details, so no answer.

But pneumatic testing of a sphere carries significant risks in terms of consequence of failure. Any test can fail, that's why you're doing the test.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[MJCronin]

Pneumatic test of giant spherical tank ?....How far away will people be able to hear the KA-BOOM ?

I say three miles ....

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How big is the tank ? How old ? What materials ? .... Are there any details available at all ???? ... any detail drawings ?

Any code dataplates or ASME U1 documentation ?....... Oh wait, were the dataplates covered by paint or stolen by vandals ?

Can you supply any vessel design drawings ? .... Oh wait, the plant staff threw them all away years ago !!!

How about pictures ?.... Do they have cellphones in your country ?

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[SJones]

Available for purchase:

https://www.bindt.org/shopbindt/hoi...spection-of-Pressure-Vessels-HOIS-RP-103.html

The guidance notes free:

https://www.bindt.org/shopbindt/hoi...uidance-Notes-for-HOIS-RP-103-HOIS-G-103.html

Steve Jones
Corrosion Management Consultant

http://www.linkedin.com/in/drstevejones

All answers are personal opinions only and are in no way connected with any employer.

 

[HTURKAK]

Probably it will be better to study ( API 579-1ASME FFS-1, Fitness-For-Service ) before tests.. I will suggest you, to look this doc. and prepare job specific inspection programe . Some concerns ; corrosion, flaws, fatigue ..the remaining service life ..

https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/find-codes-standards/ffs-1-fitness-service/2021/drm-enabled-pdf