EXTERNAL INSPECTION

F.4.1 General
A thorough visual external inspection should be carried out every 12 months.
During normal tank operation, plant operators should immediately report to the
inspection authority any abnormal condition or situation they observe, e.g. leakage,
abnormalities with the base heating system, excessive vapour recovery, cold spots un
shell or roof, instances of over- or under-pressure, etc. Any such reported abnormalities
should be investigated as coon as possible.
The external inspection should be carried out with the tank in service and preferably with
the tank in a 'static' condition, .e. no fluid inflow or outflow and the tank pressure within
its normal operating limits.
F.4.2 Inspection Plan
F.4.2.1 Condition of Tank Foundation
i) Carry out level survey of outer shell-to-bottom junction or the foundation. This should
be compared with original level survey when tank was constructed. Examine for any
signs of buckiing at the base.
i) Check condition of ring wall or pile cap (cracked, spalled, exposed. etc.).
i] Check drainage away from ring wall.
IV) Check erosion settlement arid frost heave of ground around tank foundation.
u] Check condition of grout around the outer shell.
vi) For elevated piled tanks, check the underside of the pile cap for ice in winter. The
jundian of the pile to cap should be examined for spalling, cracking and traces of
corrosive product from the reinforcing bar.
F.4.2.2 Foundation Heating System
i) Examine randomly selected conduit junction boxes for damage, etc.
i] Check condition of fuses.
iii] Check foundation heating controls.
u> Compare ammeter readings far each phase with original design values,
v) Record vdtage readings for each phase.
vi> Check each thermocouple or remote indicating device reading used ta control
foundation heating. Compare with temperature indications in control room.
vi) Check switchgear operation.
viii) Check records of power consumption of heating system.
ix) Check foundation heating records.
F.4.2.3 Condition of Outer Tank
i) Check outer tank paint surface condition.
i) Check paint condition on shell stiffeners, stairways, structural members and

nozzles.
i) Check far signs of distortion or damage to the sheil or roof.
iv) Check for corrosion or mechanical damage at the bottom plate extension
beyond the
shell, and at the anchor bolts and chairs.
v) Check visually for frost or ice spots on the outer shell or roof.
vi) Carry out a thermographic survey an the outer tank to verify the general
condition of
the insulation.
vii) Check condition and integrity of insulation cladding.
F.4.2.4 Nozzles and Piping

i) Check for frost or ice build up on thermal distance pieces.

i) Check the condition of any expansion bellows regarding corrosion, unusual
distortions,
ice build up or other damage.
i) Check for rotation of nonles. Movement would indicate frost heave on the inner
tank
or deterioration of the foundation.
iv> Check pipe supports connections to roof or shell.
v) Check piping insulabn.
vi) Check condition and settings of spring supports and compare with data sheet
settings.
vi) Check trace heated nozzles and adjacent piping for localised corrosion.
F.4.2.5 Structures
Check condition of roof platforms, walkways and handrails.
F.4.2A Pressure and Vacuum Relief Valves and Instrumentation
i) Check pressure and vacuum relief valves for icing, mechanical damage.
corrosion and
leakage.
i) Check and test that steam lances are functional (where fitted).
iii) Check sources of possible liquid escape which could impinge on the tank,
and check
condition of any protection devices provided, e.g. mats, catitchtrays. etc.
F.4.2.7 Other Fittings
i) Check and test the condition of any fire protection device on the tank.
i) Check and test that steam lances are functional (where fitted),
iii) Check sources of possible liquid escape which couki impinge on the tank and
check
condition of any protection devices provided e.g. mats, catch-trays, etc.

F.5 INTERNAL INSPECTION

F.5.1 General
The decommissioning an# internal inspection of RLG tanks is a potentially
hazardous
operation, especially for an open topped inner tank, and there exists an associated
rick of
causing damage to the tank and insulation system. Corrosion is known not to occur in
the
dry, inert, low temperature conditions inside the tank.
If the produd is known not to be dry, corrosion can occur.
The foundation designs used for RLG tanks do not normally suffer
unacceptabte ank
settiement
Na technical justification for conducting routine internat inspections of RLG
tanks can be
+

provided so long as the tanks are operated within their design operational
limitations that
should be confirmed by the edema! inspection and the operating history.
When the operating history of a certain liquefied gas in refrigerated storage tanks
indicates
that the possibility of corrosion cannot be excluded, e.9- as stress corrosion has been
experienced in some refrigerated ammonia tanks, it is recommended that the
interval
between inspections is agreed between the user and the authorities.
F.5.2 Initial Inspection of Suspended Deck
It is important for an initial inspection of the deck to be petformed to ensure its
integrity is
accptabte to permit a full inspection to proceed.
From the roof manway, visually examine the surface of the deck and supporting
rods for
signs of distress.
From the inner tank bottom examine the entire underside of the suspended deck
fur any
unusual distortion or potential problems. When it has been established that the
suspended
deck is intact the full inspection of the deck may proceed.
F.5.3 Inspection from Suspended Deck
i>
i>
iii)
iV]

vi)
vii)
Check that support rods are not slack.

Examine roof structure visually for any distortion or separation of roof plates from
support frames.
Examine undersides of roof piates around roof nozzles and other roof attachments.
Examine the deck insulation for damage or depressed areas indicative of movement.
Measure depth and compare with original.
Visually examine all piping between roof and suspended deck. Particular attention
should be paid to distorted or bent pipes. Where pipe is insulated check the
insulation
attachment to the pipe.
Check perlite level in the annular space between inner and outer shell for signs
of
compacting (where relevant}.
Check the integrity of the seal between suspended deck and inner shell.
viii) Check ail vent openings located in the deck io ensure thaf they are not blocked.

F.5.4 Inner Tank Inspection

i) Check for ihe presence of deck insulation or any other foreign matter on the
bottom.
i) Examine the bottom plate surface and internal piping and supports for damage.
ir) Examine visually the bottom lap welds annular plate butt welds, shell tu
bottom welds
and any attachments welded to the bottom plates.
iv) Visually examine shetl welds and shell plate surfaces for any signs of
corrosion.
v) Examine the shell surface for any unusual buckling or distortion. Crackdetect any
shell nade welds.
vi) Make a level sunrey across four diameters. Also survey any raised or
depressed
areas to determine whether settlement or heave has occurred.
vii) Survey the level of the annular piates at the shell-to-bottom junction to
determine
whether the shell support foundation is intact.
viii) Leak-test the bottom and shell-to-bottom welds with a vacuum box.
ix) Carry out ultrasonic thickness survey of the shell Strakes, the annular plates and
the
other bottom plates.
Copyright Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association
Provided by IHS under license with EEMUA Licensee=Shell Global Solutions International B.V. Main/5924979112, User=Al-Hajr
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 09/05/2010 03:20:52 MDT
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