Design Codes for Vertical Storage Tanks
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Shane HancockDesign Codes for Vertical Storage Tanks
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Shane HancockCommon questions
Powered by AIEnvironmental considerations significantly influence the choice between hydro and air testing. Air testing is often preferred, as it circumvents the environmental issues associated with the handling and disposal of large volumes of water required for hydro testing. Standards like BS EN 14015 and API 650 emphasize the flexibility of using air testing, aligning with modern environmental management practices to reduce water usage and potential contamination, thereby reducing the ecological impact of testing .
Common NDT methods required across all mentioned design codes include Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) and Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI). These methods are universally applied due to their effectiveness in detecting surface and slightly subsurface flaws, especially in welds, providing assurance of the structural integrity of tanks. Their versatility and adaptability to different materials, combined with their relatively low cost, make MPI and DPI essential components of any tank testing regime .
A hydro test offers the benefit of simulating operational conditions with water to detect leaks, ensuring comprehensive testing of the tank's integrity under pressure. However, it involves environmental and disposal concerns regarding the test water. An air test, preferred by Wefco, is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly since it does not require the disposal of large quantities of water. However, it might not replicate the same stress conditions as a hydro test and might not detect as subtle leaks as the latter .
API 650 requires both radiography and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) as part of its NDT requirements. These tests contribute to quality assurance by ensuring the integrity of welds and structural soundness of tanks under various conditions. Radiography helps detect internal defects such as cracks, voids, or inclusions within the welds, while MPI is used for detecting surface and slightly subsurface defects in ferromagnetic materials. This combination of NDT techniques ensures comprehensive evaluation of weld quality and structural reliability .
The replacement of BS 2654 by BS EN 14015 impacts the design and fabrication of vertical storage tanks by introducing a wider range of permissible design conditions, including the considerations for wind loading, earthquake conditions, and a broader range of temperatures from -40 to +300 degrees Celsius. BS EN 14015 allows for the use of both carbon and stainless steel, unlike BS 2654 which only specifies carbon steel use. It also introduces more comprehensive NDT requirements, which enhance the structural assurance and flexibility in designing tanks for more diverse operational needs .
BS EN 14015 covers a broader range of design conditions including wind and earthquake loading and allows for the construction of tanks using both carbon and stainless steel, whereas BS EN 799 Part 5 is limited to carbon steel materials only. BS EN 14015 supports the design for tanks accommodating pressure conditions up to a maximum of 500 mbarg and temperatures ranging from -40 to +300 degrees Celsius. In contrast, BS EN 799 Part 5 does not specify design for high pressure or a wide range of temperatures, focusing on smaller tanks with less structural complexity .
The Good Engineering Practice imposes design limitations by not providing a specific national code; it varies greatly among fabricators in its interpretation and fabrication quality. Tanks designed under this standard are generally simpler, with thicknesses of 5 or 6 mm and typically tested pneumatically, although a hydro test is available on request. Clients might choose this standard due to its cost-effectiveness and sufficient quality for simple atmospheric conditions, especially when full design calculations and comprehensive NDT are not required .
API 650 allows a maximum allowable design pressure of 172 mbarg (2.5 psig), while BS EN 14015 allows up to 500 mbarg. This suggests that BS EN 14015 may be intended for applications that require handling higher pressure conditions, such as in more demanding environmental conditions like earthquake zones. In contrast, API 650 may cater to more typical oil storage scenarios in regions with less extreme environmental pressures .
BS 2654's design limitations include its restriction to carbon steel use and a narrower range of pressure conditions (non-pressure, low-pressure, and high-pressure). With the introduction of more comprehensive standards like BS EN 14015, a company might reconsider using BS 2654 due to its relatively limited scope, inability to account for environmental factors like wind and seismic activity, and less flexibility in material choice. However, some companies might still favor BS 2654 for existing operations or legacy projects where integration and consistency with previous designs are beneficial .
Tanks designed under the BS EN 14015 standard are capable of handling temperatures ranging from -40°C to +300°C, providing substantial thermal versatility. This wide thermal design capability allows these tanks to be applicable in diverse environmental conditions, ranging from cold climates to processes involving high-temperature liquids or gases, thus broadening the standard's applicability across various industrial sectors .
