Study Sheets

Based on API 653 Exam Information

The following is a collection of questions remembered by various students who took the API 653
Exam in the past.
This study sheet is designed to help a student prepare for the API 653 Exam. Read each
question carefully and select the best answer by circling your choice. After selection of your
answer, write in the section number and publication in which your answer was found. Look up each
question in the reference publications listed below; remember, this exercise is to help you to learn
to use the reference material. Generally, the assignment is broken into several sections. Each
section should take approximately one hour to complete. Answers will be discussed at the
beginning of class the following morning.
The answers will be found in the following reference publications:
API 571, Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry, First
Edition, December, 2003
ATTENTION: Only the following mechanisms are included in the exam:
Par. 4.2.7 Brittle Fracture
Par. 4.2.16 Mechanical Fatigue
Par. 4.3.2 Atmospheric Corrosion
Par. 4.3.3 Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)
Par. 4.3.8 Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC)
Par. 4.3.9 Soil Corrosion
Par. 4.3.10 Caustic Corrosion
Par. 4.5.1 Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking (Cl-SCC)
Par. 4.5.3 Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking (Caustic Embrittlement)
Par. 5.1.1.11 Sulfuric Acid Corrosion
API RP 575, Guidelines and Methods for Inspection of Existing Atmospheric and Lowpressure Storage Tanks, Second Edition, May, 2005
API RP 577, Welding Inspection and Metallurgy, First Edition, October, 2004
API 650, Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, Tenth Edition, November, 1998, including
Addendum 1 (March, 2000), Addendum 2 (November, 2001), Addendum 3
(September, 2003) and Addendum 4 (December, 2005).
API RP 651, Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks, Third
Edition, January, 2007
API RP 652, Lining of Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tank Bottoms, Third
Edition, October, 2005
1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 1

ITAC
API 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, Third Edition,
December, 2001, including Addendum 1 (September, 2003) and
Addendum 2 (November, 2005).
ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, 2004 Edition, with 2005 and 2006 Addenda
Section V, Nondestructive Examination, Articles 1, 2, 6, 7 and
23 (Section SE-797 only)
Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications

1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 2

76. What is the P number for the tank as listed above?

a.
b.
c.
d.

1.5
1
6
24

Section:
77.

Reference Publication:

If studs were installed on this tank, what polarity would have been used for the stud gun?
a.
b.
c.
d.

DCEN
DCEP
AC
No polarity

Section:

Reference Publication:

1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 3

ITAC
78.

What is the SFA number for E 7018 electrodes?

a.
b
c.
d.

5
5.1
5.29
5.42

Section:
79.

What is the filler number for E-7018 electrodes?

a.
b.
c.
d.

1
2
3
4

Section:
80.

.316
.500
.262
Not enough information given

Section:

Reference Publication:

What is the hydrostatic test height of T 3-27 if the joint efficiency is .85 and the specific
gravity of the product is 1.3?
a.
b.
c.
d.

56.88'
40'
28.27'
Not enough information given

Section:
82.

Reference Publication:

What is the minimum acceptable shell plate thickness for the first course of T 3-27, if the
specific gravity of the stored product is 1.3? NOTE: current inspection (2003) based on
product alone, and full height operation.
a.
b.
c.
d.

81.

Reference Publication:

Reference Publication:

What is the minimum acceptable shell plate thickness for the top course of T 3-27 if each
course is 120" tall?
a.
b.
c.
d.

.1"
.062"
.269"
Not enough information given

Section:

Reference Publication:
1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 4

ITAC
83.

What is the joint efficiency for T 3-27?

a.
b.
c.
d.

1
.85
.70
.35

Section:
84.

What is the corrosion allowance for T 3-27?

a.
b.
c.
d.

.185"
.125"
.0625"
Not enough information given

Section:
85.

.269"
.310"
.500"
Not enough information given

Section:

Reference Publication:

How many settlement points are required for an external settlement of T 3-27?
a.
b.
c.
d.

4
6
8
10

Section:
87.

Reference Publication:

If T 3-27 was new, what would be the minimum first course thickness, based on product
alone?
a.
b.
c.
d.

86.

Reference Publication:

Reference Publication:

A depression in the floor is discovered near the east manway of T 3-27. The diameter of
the depression is 96", the deepest point in the depression is 4". The area _________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

is rejectable.
is acceptable.
must be monitored.
can be filled in with epoxy and accepted.

Section:

Reference Publication:
1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 5

ITAC
88.

During the internal inspection of T 3-27, a patch plate welded to the floor, with a tombstone
shaped pad, extending to the inside of the shell was discovered. The plate had been
seal welded to the floor and shell, with a minimum dimension of 12 inches. The inspector
should _____________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

have the patch removed.

inspect the patch.
recommend removal of the patch and floor plates in the repaired area, replacing with
new floor plates.
this repair is in the critical zone and not allowed.

Section:

89.

During the same internal inspection of T 3-27, a square lap-welded patch was found over
an existing nozzle. The inspector should __________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

have the patch removed.

inspect the patch.
cut out the entire shell plate.
radiograph the patch for weld quality.

Section:
90.

Reference Publication:

T 3-27 has a hole, less than 1" in diameter, in the roof. Rain water does not contaminate the
stored product. Is a repair required by API 653?
a.
b.
c.
d.

A repair may be made by using duct tape.

Only if the owner requires the repair.
No
Yes

Section:
91.

Reference Publication:

Reference Publication:

What is the position designation for welding pipe in the horizontal fixed position?
a.
b.
c.
d.

2G
3G
5G
6G

Section:

Reference Publication:

1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 6

ITAC
92.

What is the minimum remaining thickness of a floor using the following conditions.

0r = 10 years
RTbc = .200
RTip = .190
a.
b.
c.
d.

.200
.190
.120
.100

Section:
93.

Weld reinforcement
Good weld technique
Weld toe
Weld throat

Section:

Reference Publication:

If T 3-27 had a new nozzle installed in the third course, north side, could the shell-to-nozzle
weld be made using the oxyfuel welding process, if impact testing is not required?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Yes
No
The oxyfuel process is not allowed by ASME Section IX
Nozzle welds must be made using SMAW only

Section:
95.

Reference Publication:

Terminology for weld metal in excess of the specified weld size.

a.
b.
c.
d.

94.

S tPr = 0 (the inside has been coated)

UPr = .007

Reference Publication:

A circular insert replacement plate was installed on an existing tank. How many radiographs
are required if the shell is 5/8 thick where the plate is installed?
a.
b.
c.
d.

1
4
None, if the thickness is less than 1 inch
None

Section:

Reference Publication:

1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 7

ITAC
96.

The minimum lbf/in2 for a vacuum box test is a partial vacuum of ____ gauge.
a.
b.
c.
d.

1 lbf /in2
2 lbf /in2
3 lbf /in2
4 lbf /in2

Section:
97.

A pipe welder is qualified to API 1104 only. What welds can he make on the tank if he
is qualified in the 6G position?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Nozzle Welds
Shell Welds
Floor and roof fillet welds
None

Section:
98.

1"
1/2"
1/4"
1/8"

Section:

Reference Publication:

A procedure is qualified on plate .500" thick. Four nick break specimens were substituted
for the four side bends.
a.
b.
c.
d.

The procedure is qualified.

ASME does not allow nick breaks.
Two tension specimens were required.
Nick breaks are used only on pipe.

Section:
100.

Reference Publication:

A procedure is qualified on plate .500" thick. Which of the following thicknesses is not
qualified?
a.
b.
c.
d.

99.

Reference Publication:

Reference Publication:

A welder is qualified in the 3F and 4F positions. Which of the following groove welds can
he make?
a.
b.
c.
d.

1G
2G
6G
None

Section:

Reference Publication:
1/07 ITAC API 653 Exam Prep Homework #4 Questions Page 8