13 replies to this topic

[Zack1984]

We observed oil leakage from breathers of floating roof tank having crude oil. Do anyone know the reason or root cause of this incident?

[breizh]

Hi,

Please delete repetitive posts.

Is it a new problem? If yes, check for process change and or equipment defect.

 

Breizh

[Zack1984]

It occurred for sometime previously. But that was minor. Now leakage was huge. What process change? It's a floating roof tank which stores crude oil. Breathers are supposed bto breath out vapors not liquid. That's a thing to be think

[breizh]

Hi,

You may find pointers in the document attached.

Check the as built drawing of your ST.

Good luck

Breizh 

[Bobby Strain]

There must be a problem with the floating roof. Does the device only leak when filling the tank?

 

Bobby

[Zack1984]

Yes, we observed it during filling.

[Bobby Strain]

The roof is not properly floating. It is "sticking" against the wall causing pressure to build under the roof. So, it needs to be inspected and repaired.

 

Bobby

[Zack1984]

If pressure is being built up, breathers should release this pressure. Breathers are designed to do this as vapors and gas. Why would Oil comes out of breathers?

[breizh]

Hi,

For process change, I was thinking new transfer pump with different head vs Flowrate. 

Regarding equipment defect, do you have a preventive maintenance program in place for your storage tanks and associated equipment.

Breizh 

[Zack1984]

Everything same for this tank. PM schedule is there. Only change was, this tank received Slop oil from Refinery units during startup.

[latexman]

If pressure is being built up, breathers should release this pressure. Breathers are designed to do this as vapors and gas. Why would Oil comes out of breathers?

 

If the floating roof is stuck, rising liquid will eventually push all the vapors/gas out, but then, where will the liquid go as it continues to rise?  Out the breathers.

[Zack1984]

Roof stuckness could be a major incident. Oil would have come out from many points, but unlikely, roof is moving normal. Oil leaks out only from breathers.

[Bobby Strain]

So, do you have any other ideas?

 

Bobby

[breizh]

HI,

You may want to contact those guys:

https://www.ast-foru...sp?master=17920

 

Note: Do you have pictures to share with us?

Breizh