Tanks A Lot – A View of these Vital Vessels

Storage Tanks and process vessels play an essential role at chemical plants, refineries and other facilities.  These vital vessels can serve us well for decades.  Yet, there are all-too-frequent incidents of wrinkled roofs, collapsed walls, leaks and other failures.  Some individuals, who design, construct, operate and maintain low-pressure storage tanks don’t appreciate how frail they can be nor do they pay attention to the fundamentals.

This presentation could serve as an introductory awareness lesson for the newbie or trainee who desires to learn about the frail nature of tanks.  But most likely, it will serve as a reminder to the veteran of things he has previously seen or worse yet, experienced.

Storage tanks in chemical plants, oil refineries, related distribution terminals and pressure vessels associated in these industries are major investment within their facilities.  These essential vessels come in all sizes and many shapes and built to various codes.  They may hold large inventories of hazardous materials, very safely for years. 

If the tank or its accessories are poorly designed, abused by operations or are neglected of effective inspection and basic maintenance, bad things can happen.  This presentation includes a few tank system fundamentals as well as case histories of failures in design, operation, inspection and maintenance.  Previous vessels incidents must be understood to reduce future problems.