Integrity of Tank

  • Condition of Bottom
    • Geometry of Bottom
    • Presence of Corrosion (Rust)
    • Condition of Welded Seams
    • Thickness of Bottom Plates
  • Condition of Shell Wall
    • Geometry of Forms of Shell Walls
    • Presence of Corrosion (Rust)
    • Condition of Welded Seams
    • Thickness of Bottom Plates
  • Presence of Sludge
    • Topology and Distribution
    • Volume (m3)
  • Presence of Formations Under the Sludge 
    • Gas Pockets 
    • Water
    • Sediment (Solids, Scale) 

Current Technologies

  • Condition of Bottom
    • Internal Laser Measurement (Tank Out of Operation)
    • NSE Robotic UT Inspection (Tank In Operation)
    • Plate Thickness
      • Manual NDT Measurement (Tank Out of Operation)
      • NSE Robotics UT Inspection (Tank in Operation)
  • Condition of Shell Wall
    • External Laser Measurement (Tank In Operation)
    • Presence of Corrosion (Rust), Condition of Welded Seams, Thickness of Shell Plates
  • Presence of Sludge
    • Manual Dipping (Tank In Operation)
    • NSE Multilayer Acoustic Profiler (Tank In Operation)
    • NSE Infrared Thermography Profiler (Tank in Operation)
    • NSE Echo Sound Profiler
  • Presence of Formations Under the Sludge  
    • Visual (Tank Out of Operation)
    • NSE Acoustic Sub-Sludge Profiler (In Development)
  • Blending and Mixing

Conclusion

  • Tanks integrity is Estimated using Different Technologies 
    • The Inspection Result can be Contradictory due to the Limitations of Different Methods used
  • Majority of Inspection Technologies are Costly  
    • Require Tanks to be Out of Service
  • Current Integrity Inspections are Manual
    • Reliant on Manual Skills and Manual Measurement
  • Periodic Inspections
    • Intervals are Based on Risk Assessment
  • Continuous Monitoring 
    • Not Available

“SCOT” Integrity Concept

  • Development of New Technologies for Continuous Monitoring of Tank Integrity 
    • Automated Data Acquisition and Presentation
    • No Interruption to Tank Operation
    • No Man Entry
  • Technologies are Based on Applied Acoustics
    • The Tank Integrity Information can be received using the Principles and Methods of Acoustic Monitoring
    • SCOT – Smart Crude Oil Tanks
  • Acoustic Waves have unique Physical Properties
      • Allow Propagation in Liquids, Solids and Gas without Significant Losses
    • Acoustic Waves are Sensitive
      • Temperature, Density, Viscosity, %of Gas/Liquid
    • Acoustic Waves Widely Used
      • NDT, Oceanography, Underwater Imaging , Medicine
    • Acoustic Fields are Safe for Personnel
    • Acoustic Technologies are Mature and Accepted

 

Structure of SCOT

Structure of SCOT

Cost Impact of Sludge

  • Estimated Potential Savings
    • Value of Unusable Inventory
    • Cost of Sludge Removal and Disposal
    • Tank Repair and Maintenance Attributable to Sludge
    • Effective
    • Long Term