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Safety Talk 3

Safe Operation of Storage Tanks: Temperature and PressureSafe Operation of Storage Tanks: Temperature and Pressure

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Types of storage tanks

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Ruptured roof / shell seam of fuel oiltank due to water explosion

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Temperature indicator 3 feet from bottom of tank shows temperature at the boiling point of water after the incident

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Usual sources of water in tankage

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Drain off water frequently

Do not leave job !

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Unexpected flammable / explosionmixture in vapour space of cone roof tank

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The effect on flash point of small additions ofpremium grade motor gasoline to gas oil (f.p.156º)

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Avoid landing floating roof on its legs during normal operations

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Lessons Learned (1)

• Up-to-date operating instructions

• Tanks properly marked and labelled

• Inlets / outlets and drain clearly marked

• Keep bund drain valves closed

• Accurate operator logs

• Take charge of change

• Never drain water bottom unattended

• Do not take ‘floating roofs’ off float

• Monitor storage tank temperature

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Lessons Learned (2)

• Test space above internal floating deck for flammables

• Do not expose heating coils

• Keep tank contents <100ºC if water present

• Do not pump hot oil into tank containing low flash product (and vice-versa)

• Monitor slop tank temperatures very carefully

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Dipping / sampling

• Avoid dip / sampling tanks with flammable atmosphere / mist above oil level

• Do not dip / sample within 30 minutes of stopping pump (low conductivity product not dosed with anti-static

• Carry sample cans / bottles in baskets / carriers

• Sample containers / dip tape plummets to be non-sparking (brass)

• Natural fibre ropes to be used for sampling

• Wear proper PPE (non-slip footwear / goggles / gloves)

• If tank contents toxic (H2S / benzene) wear BA

• Make sure steel dip tape is in contact with metal edge of dip hole

• Keep dip hole, sampling hatch covers closed

• Do not dip during electrical storms / heavy rain / hail

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Filling / jet mixing

Keep filling velocities <3 ft / sec:

• Until inlet submerged by at least 2 ft (cone roof) if vapour space contains flammable gas / air mixture or mist

• Roof is floated (internal / external floaters)

• Where product contains free water

• If vapour space contains flammable gas / air mixture or mist

Do not jet mix if vapour space contains flammablegas / air mixture