Developing Periodic External/Internal Inspection Requirements to Assess Low Temperature and Cryogenic Storage Tanks

Overview

Main Objective

The primary objective of this project is to outline the current best practices associated with inspection and testing to ensure the integrity of aboveground cryogenic storage tanks such as liquified natural gas tanks. It also entails recommendations for these tanks which may involve new technology and to organize the information so that it can be transferred to the public domain so that tank owners, operators and industry organizations can use this information to reduce the potential for incidents through inspection and testing.

Public Abstract

Project Description: Development of a set of inspection recommendations that is based on industry experience, underpinned by sound domain knowledge, supported by stakeholders, and reflects current state of the art and best available technologies. The recommendations could be included in federal regulations or industry standards.

Anticipated Results: This project resulted in the development of an LNG tank inspection guideline and checklist. The guidelines for the inspection of LNG tanks were developed far enough that they can either be used directly by an owner/Operator with some further detailing or they can be further developed by an SDO, such as the API, to write specific, detailed standards or recommended practices. The project includes a detailed checklist as part of the tank inspection guidelines. The conclusions and recommendations are primarily aimed at the regulatory industries as well as the SDOs that will take this Project as an input to the process of developing publicly available ANSI-accredited recommended practices, guidelines, and standards.

Potential Impact on Safety: The regulations/standards will provide immediate benefit in terms of standardization. Over time, well written recommendations will foster a strong, healthy market for cryogenic tank inspections and public confidence in the safe and environmentally sound operation of cryogenic tanks.

Summary and Conclusions

This project resulted in the development of an LNG tank inspection guideline and checklist. The guidelines for the inspection of LNG tanks were developed far enough that they can either be used directly by an owner/Operator with some further detailing or they can be further developed by an SDO, such as the API, to write specific, detailed standards or recommended practices. The project includes a detailed checklist as part of the tank inspection guidelines.

The conclusions and recommendations are primarily aimed at the regulatory industries as well as the SDOs that will take this Project as an input to the process of developing publicly available ANSI-accredited recommended practices, guidelines, and standards.

Relevant Files & Links