How to ensure the safe operation of spherical storage tanks?

How to ensure the safe operation of spherical storage tanks?

During the design and construction stage

Reasonable design

Structural design: Precise structural calculations should be carried out according to parameters such as the storage medium, pressure, and temperature to ensure that the shape and wall thickness of the tank body can withstand the expected loads. For example, for spherical storage tanks storing high-pressure gas, thicker high-strength steel should be used, and strict stress analysis should be carried out to prevent the tank body from deforming or rupturing under high pressure.

Material selection: Select high-quality materials that meet relevant standards and specifications. For storage tanks storing corrosive media, special steels with good corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel or alloy steel, should be selected, and the materials should be strictly tested for quality to ensure that their chemical composition, mechanical properties, etc. meet the requirements.

Strict construction

Welding process: Welding is a key link in the construction of spherical storage tanks. Advanced and mature welding techniques should be adopted, and operations should be carried out by welders with professional qualifications. For example, during the welding process, parameters such as welding current, voltage, and welding speed should be strictly controlled to ensure the uniformity and defect-free quality of the weld. At the same time, non-destructive testing such as ultrasonic testing and radiographic testing should be carried out on each weld to detect and deal with welding defects in a timely manner.

Quality inspection: Multi-stage quality inspections should be carried out during the construction process, including raw material inspection, component processing inspection, and tank body assembly inspection. For example, after the assembly of the tank body is completed, a hydraulic test or a pneumatic test should be carried out to simulate the actual operating conditions and test the strength and tightness of the tank body.

During the operation and maintenance stage

Daily monitoring

Pressure monitoring: Install high-precision pressure sensors to monitor the pressure inside the tank in real time. Set reasonable pressure alarm values. When the pressure exceeds the safe range, take measures to adjust it in a timely manner, such as adjusting the opening degree of the inlet valve or the outlet valve. For example, for spherical storage tanks storing liquefied petroleum gas, the normal operating pressure is generally between 0.8 - 1.6 MPa. If the pressure exceeds 1.6 MPa, an alarm will be triggered to prompt the operator to deal with it.

Temperature monitoring: Use temperature sensors to monitor the temperature of the tank body, especially for storage tanks storing temperature-sensitive media (such as liquefied natural gas). Set the temperature alarm range according to the characteristics of the storage medium to prevent the stability of the medium or the safety of the tank body from being affected by too high or too low temperature. For example, the storage temperature of liquefied natural gas needs to be maintained at about -162 °C. If the temperature fluctuation exceeds a certain range (such as ±5 °C), it is necessary to check whether the insulation system has failed.

Regular maintenance

Anti-corrosion treatment: According to the storage medium and environmental conditions, carry out anti-corrosion maintenance on the tank body regularly. For storage tanks in corrosive environments such as seaside, anti-corrosion work is more critical. For example, methods such as applying anti-corrosion coatings and cathodic protection can be used. The anti-corrosion coating should be selected to match the material of the tank body and have strong corrosion resistance. Check the integrity of the coating regularly, and repair it in time if it is damaged.

Component inspection: Regularly inspect and maintain components such as valves, pipes, and instruments of the tank body. For example, the valves should be checked for their tightness and flexibility to ensure that they can be opened and closed freely. The instruments should be calibrated to ensure the accuracy of the measured data. For wearing parts such as safety valves, they should be tested and replaced according to the specified cycle to ensure that they can be opened and relieved normally in case of overpressure.

Personnel training and operation specifications

Professional training: Conduct professional training for operators to make them familiar with the structure, working principle, operation process, and emergency handling procedures of spherical storage tanks. The training content includes the normal start-up and stop operations of the equipment, how to read and analyze monitoring data, and the judgment and handling methods of common faults.

Operation specifications: Formulate strict operation specifications, and operators must operate in strict accordance with the specifications. For example, when carrying out filling or unloading operations, follow the principle of slow and steady to avoid rapid changes in the pressure inside the tank due to too fast operation. At the same time, establish a complete operation record system to record the time, operator, operation content, and equipment running status of each operation for tracing and analysis.

Safety management and emergency response plan

Safety management system: Establish a sound safety management system and clarify the responsibilities and authorities of each department and person in the safety management of spherical storage tanks. For example, a special safety management department should be established to be responsible for formulating safety rules and regulations, supervising the implementation of safety measures, and organizing safety training and drills.

Emergency response plan formulation and drills: Formulate detailed emergency response plans. For possible accidents such as leakage, explosion, and fire, clarify the emergency response process, personnel evacuation routes, and rescue measures. For example, in the event of a leakage accident, the emergency response plan should include measures such as immediately cutting off the leakage source, starting the ventilation system, and organizing personnel evacuation. Regularly organize emergency response plan drills to improve the emergency response capabilities and coordinated operation capabilities of personnel by simulating accident scenarios.