Ultrasonic tank test system for AG tanks ? 1

[ghkskn]

We had to install the internal floating roof before we test the tanks by filling them with water. Now we would like to skip the hydrostatic testing with seawater because;

1- IFR is aluminum and seawater will corrode it,
2- If we manage to protect the IFR by oil spraying etc, it will be quite a hard task to wash the tank walls with clean water after the test.

And the alternatives defined in API650 are not so practical either.

So we would like to give try to "Ultrasonic tank test system".
Has anyone heard it applied for AG storage tanks.

Here is the link for ultrasonic testing for UG storage tanks.

http://www.sdt.be/04products/SDTTanktest.html

 

[JoeTank]

API-650 has no provisions for an "ultrasonic tank test". Since water is available to you, you are required to perform a hydrostatic water test.

Joe Tank

 

[JoeTank]

gkes,
I just took a look at the weblink provided in you original post. That testing system relies upon the creation of a vacuum in the tank. Unless your tank is designed for vacuum conditions you could severly damnage the tank. The fact that it has an internal floating roof suggests to me that you also have an open vent system, so pulling a vacuum would not be practical either.

Joe Tank