What is Storage Tank Inspection?

Storage Tank Inspection covers in- and out-of-service inspections of vertical and horizontal bulk storage tanks, both above and below ground. A combination of techniques provides a comprehensive storage tank inspection, reporting on the overall condition of tank floors, shells, roofs, and structures.

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API 620 – Welded Low-Pressure Storage Tank

This standard requires above-ground tanks with a Single Vertical Axis of Revolution. The standard applies to the following Tanks:

Tanks with Internal Pressure greater than 3.4KPA (0.5PSIG) But not greater than 103 KPA (15PSI).
Tanks with metal temperature from -168 to +120 Degree Centigrade.

API 650 – Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage

This standard provides the requirement for Vertical, Cylindrical, Above Ground storage tanks. This standard applies to the following standards:

Internal pressure from atmospheric pressure to 17KPA (2.5PSIG).
Tanks that are not refrigerated.
Design temperature less than 200 Degree F.
Store petroleum or other liquid products or water.
This standard covers material, design, fabrication, erection, and testing.

API 653 – Tank Inspection Repair Alternation and Reconstruction

This standard covers requirements for Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction of API 650 Atmospheric Storage tanks that have already been placed in service. The standard includes the following section:

Suitability for Service.
Inspection.
Consideration for-Construction.
Tank Repair and Alternation.
Welding.
Examination and Testing.

What are the types of Storage Tanks?

There are eight types of Tanks used to store liquids:

Fixed Roof Tanks.
External Floating Roof Tanks.
Internal Floating Roof Tanks.
Domed External Floating Roof Tanks.
Horizontal Tanks.
Spherical Pressurized Tanks.
Variable Vapor Space Tanks.
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Tanks.

1). Fixed Roof Tanks

A typical fixed-roof tank consists of a cylindrical steel shell with a cone or dome-shaped roof permanently affixed to the tank shell. These tanks are usually welded and designed for both liquid and vapor tight. However, older tanks often have a riveted or bolted construction and are not vapor-tight.

2). External Floating Roof Tanks

A typical external floating roof tank consists of an open-topped cylindrical steel shell equipped with a roof that floats on the surface of the stored liquid, rising and falling with the liquid level. The floating roof is comprised of

Deck
Fittings
Rim Seal System

Floating roof decks are constructed of welded steel plates and are of three general types,

Pan
Pontoon
Double Deck

Although numerous pan-type decks are currently in use, the present trend is toward pontoon and double-deck type floating roofs.

3). Internal Floating Roof Tanks

These tanks are known to have both a permanently affixed roof, and a roof that floats inside the tank on the liquid surface (contact deck) or is supported on pontoons several inches above the liquid surface (noncontact deck). The internal floating roof rises and falls with the liquid level.

These are two basic types of internal floating roof tanks:

Tanks in which vertical columns within the tank support the fixed roof.
Tanks with a self-supporting fixed roof and no internal support columns.

4). Domed External Floating Roof Tanks

These tanks have the Havier type of deck used in external floating roof tanks and a fixed roof at the top of the shell-like internal floating tanks. Domed external floating roof tanks usually result from retrofitting an external floating roof tank with a fixed roof.

As with the internal floating roof tanks, the function of the fixed roof is not to act as a vapor barrier but to block the wind. The type of fixed roof most commonly used is a self-supporting aluminum dome roof, which is bolted in construction. Like the internal floating roof tanks, these tanks are freely vented by circulation vents at the top of the fixed roof.

5). Horizontal Tanks

These are generally small storage tanks constructed for above-ground and underground service. They are usually constructed of steel with a fiberglass overlay or fiberglass-reinforced polyester.

Horizontal tanks are constructed such that the length of the tank is not greater than six times the diameter to ensure structural integrity. In addition, they are usually equipped with pressure-vacuum vents, gauge hatches, sample wells, and maintenance holes to provide accessibility to these tanks.

Underground tanks may be cathodically protected to prevent corrosion of the tank shell. Cathodic protection is accomplished by placing sacrificial anodes in the tank connected to a unique current system or using galvanic anodes.

6). Spherical Pressurized Tanks

This type of vessel is preferred for storing high-pressure fluids and is generally used for storing products at a pressure above 35 kPa. Such spheres are normally supported upon vertical legs attached to the vessel.

An alternative supporting structure for a spherical vessel is to rest the sphere on a continuous concrete foundation having an outside diameter of about 50% of the diameter of the vessel. The shape of the upper surface of the foundation creates evenly distributed pressure.

A nodded spheroidal tank is essentially spherical in shape except is somewhat flattened and generally used in larger sizes and keeps shell stresses low. The tanks are generally used for storing products with pressures above 35 kPa.

7). Variable Vapor Space Tanks

Variable Vapor Space Tanks are equipped with expandable vapor reservoirs to accommodate vapor volume fluctuations attributed to temperature and barometric changes. Although Variable Vapor Space Tanks are sometimes used independently, they are generally connected to the vapor spaces of one or more fixed roof tanks.

8). LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Tanks

These specialized storage tanks store Liquefied Natural at a very low temperature of -162C. LNG storage tanks have double containers; the inner contains LNG, and the outer container contains insulation materials. The most common tank type is the full containment tank. Tanks are roughly 55m (180 ft.) high and 75m in diameter. Read More…

Why Choose Us?

As a leading Storage Tank inspection service provider, the TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection & Certification is also accountable for several quality control sections. Inspection and ensures stricter standards apply to all evaluation procedures. Given our credible experience with the suppliers, we have profound ways of identifying hurdles between the processes. We have a strong network of quality inspectors throughout the different provinces of Pakistan, which allows us to conduct a Storage Tank Inspection better and more fruitful.

Our Storage Tank Inspection Services

Welding procedures and qualifications to international standards.
Tracing of system leaks and assessment of material strength.
Project management and construction supervision.
Identification plate stamping and adjustment.
External thickness measurements and calculation reviews.
Automated tank floor measurement.
Assessment of water and sludge inside containers.
3D modeling of tank floor and shell.
Assessment of subsoil corrosion.
Environmental impact studies and risk analysis.
Hydrotest.
Non-destructive testing (NDT).
Tank floor volume measurement.
Ultrasonic density tests.

In addition, to Storage Tank Inspection Service, we also offer a range of complimentary services:

Would you mind sending an Enquiry so we can assist you?