Refinery Tank Repair

The tank contractor performed tank repair work per API 653 on a 140’ x 48’ API 650 tank that holds over five million gallons of diesel fuel. The tank repair project was completed amid the owner’s daily refinery operations, and involved tank work on a tight site with significant logistical challenges. Because of the site restrictions, all the steel had to delivered with a bobtail, making it difficult to get material in and out of the tank. In addition, the multi-column cone roof had 19 columns, which made it difficult to move material and equipment inside the tank. Specific safety concerns included hot work and confined space issues.

Repair work included removing and replacing the tank’s door sheet, installing a new El Segundo bottom in the tank, a new annular ring and new floor, and three new floor sumps with draw off piping. Additionally, the tank contractor installed a new gauge pole and new level gauge as well as three new thickened manways and five new thickened inserts. The tank contractor also repaired existing brackets and supports and deleted old foam and piping chambers.

In preparing to add the inserts, the tank contractor encountered significant steel delamination inside the tank. This required additional NDE in order to relocate nozzles to areas where better steel was available.

Despite the logistical challenges and the need for additional NDE in order to ensure the integrity of the new inserts, the tank contractor was able to perform the bottom replacement and necessary tank additions and repairs on schedule with minimal interruptions to the owner’s daily operations.