Hydrostatic Testing of Fuel Storage Tanks

Hi rover,

With a job of this magnitude, get the official ASME documentation. Find it here:

http://www.techstreet.com/cgi-bin/detail?product_id=2255

Have fun!

Mike

I suspect the tank is built to API 650 -

Follow the rules in 7.3.6 Hydrostatic Testing Requirements

Unfortunately they are pretty vague, as per this technical enquiry to API

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Q: Does API 650 or 653 have procedures for hydrotesting?
A: No. Although both documents have requirements on when a hydrotest must be performed, they do not have procedures on how a hydrotest is performed.

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You may want to look into getting API 1157: Hydrostatic Test Water Treatment and Disposal Options for Liquid Pipeline Systems

See this site for good documentation on pressure testing, which should be somewhat relevant.

Lastly, you may luck out with simply searching the 'net - there are probably some companies that have posted procedures.

You may also like to have a look into

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/landrecwaste/lib/landrecwaste/storagetanks/files/stac_files/archive/1999/hydro.pdf

also API 650 allows vacuum box testing, procedures and details are in clause 8.6 (section 8)

Dear All,

In most cases on the hydro testing the API rules are either silent or not very practical. ( Pressure tests with vacuum box on that sized tank is slow and not very practical .Particularly for the welds on the shell plates i.e. at the joint with the bottom plates.

There hereunder are the practical rules I have always followed either as designer or Engineering Contractor:

1.Be sure that the foundations have been tested. More so if they are not of your making or design. Deformation of a tank if a foundation fails is a messy( and costly ) business to redress. (A smart Owner or end user will be willing to pay for these additional costs of hydro-testing as they garantee the integrity and longevity of the work

2.Do not forget that water is heavier than most fuels. Therefore gard yourself against claims if 1 above does occur.

3.It is always advisable to load the tank progressively and have external points theodolite - checked for any sinking or foundation failure.

4.In some cases a calibration can be effected by having the inlet water to be metered / checked against sounding (dip stick) at regular intervals.

5.Just as all roof uppertures are to be opened during filling, it is imperative, I repeat : imperative, that all uppertures/lids must be either removed totally or that special inspection be verified before any emptying of water. There have been many disasters of tank roofs completely caving in as the water is emptied without an air inlet properly functionning.

6.Some specifications for the painting of the bottom plates may need to be checked as the manufacturers recommendation of their use by water must be approved ( Most fuel tank operators leave a layer of water in the bottom before filling of the tanks particularly for heavy oils, bunker fuels etc.)

Good Luck

Labor Omnia Vincit.

I would think you just want to fill it with water and look for leaks. We do this regularly where I work. The general plan we use is let it set for a few DRY days and then do a good visual inspection looking for damp areas. With a tank this size it can have wet spots under the floor and the weight of the water will squeeze it out making it look like a leak so wait a few days if you can. I suspect it is API standard that you should follow and you are just doing a static head test and not trying to pressurize the tank other than the weight of the water. A tank that big is going to take several big hoses or a hell of allot of time to fill. Vacuum boxes are made to check tank floors usually and this is always done before you hydro-test.