API 650 Tank Inspection Checklist
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Mijanur RahmanAPI 650 Tank Inspection Checklist
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Mijanur RahmanCommon questions
Powered by AIRadiographic inspection is mandatory for shell butt welds, annular-plate butt welds, and flush-type connections with butt welds but not required for roof-plate or bottom-plate welds and other specific joints. Radiographers must be certified according to ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A and its supplement. All radiographic results must be submitted for review and approval and meet the criteria specified in ASME Section VIII Div. 1, para UW-51 (b).
If a weld fails to meet acceptance criteria during either visual or radiographic inspection, defects must be removed through mechanical means or thermal gouging. If the resulting thickness is below the minimum for hydrostatic test design, re-welding is necessary. The repair weld must undergo visual examination for defects, and subsequent radiographic inspection to ensure compliance before retesting .
Contractors and companies are actively involved in the proposal and approval stages of radiographic inspections. Vendors must submit proposals detailing the number and location of the radiographic inspections, which are then reviewed and approved by the contractor/company. After the inspections, the vendors submit the radiography test results for assessment and approval to ensure they meet the specified standards and acceptance criteria, establishing a systematic review process .
A weld is acceptable during visual inspections if it contains no crater cracks or surface cracks, the maximum acceptable undercutting does not exceed 1/64 inches for vertical joints and 1/32 inches for horizontal joints, and for welds attaching nozzles, manholes, and similar attachments, the maximum undercutting is 1/64 inches. Additionally, the frequency of surface porosity must not exceed one cluster in any 4 inches of length, with each cluster not exceeding a diameter of 3/32 inches .
Ultrasonic examination must conform to ASME Section V, Article 5. Examiners need to be qualified according to API Standard 650, paragraph 6.3.3. The acceptance criteria for ultrasonic examination results, as well as repair directives for discovered defects, follow guidelines in ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 12, paragraphs 12-3 and 12-4. This ensures that identified defects are appropriately assessed and managed .
The sponge-rubber gasket in the vacuum box test plays an essential role in sealing the open bottom of the metal testing box against the tank surface. This seal is vital for ensuring that a vacuum can be effectively drawn on the section under examination, thus allowing for accurate detection of any air leaks through the welded seams. It prevents external air from entering the system and skewing test results, ensuring the test's reliability .
Liquid penetrant examination is performed as per ASME Section V, Article 6. It is required to detect surface-breaking defects in welds that might not be visible to the naked eye. The acceptance criteria and repair of defects identified during a penetrant test are governed by ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 8, specifically paragraphs 8-3, 8-4, and 8-5. This method is essential for quality assurance in welds .
The oil leak test is crucial to ensuring the integrity and proper sealing of the tank. It involves the use of a solar medium and a spray method while maintaining ambient temperature conditions. The test is performed over a holding period of 4 hours to detect any potential leaks that could compromise the tank's function and safety, highlighting the tank's reliability under operational conditions .
A vacuum box test involves using a metal testing box, typically 6 inches by 30 inches with a glass window on top, sealed against a tank surface by a sponge-rubber gasket. Approximately 30 inches of the seam under test is coated with soap solution or linseed oil. The vacuum box is placed over this section, and a vacuum is applied, which can be drawn by various methods, including connection to a gasoline or diesel engine intake manifold or a vacuum pump. The presence of bubbles or foam indicates air sucked through a weld, showing seam porosity .
Radiography test results must adhere to presentation quality and acceptance criteria outlined in ASME Section VIII, Division 1, paragraph UW-51 (b). The radiography film images must be clear for visual examination with a radiograph viewer, and all results must be submitted to the contractor/company for review and approval. These standards ensure that the data presented for assessment of weld quality are precise and reliable .