NORMA API 620

Introduction

API 620

The American Petroleum Industry (API) sets a series of standards

for the design and construction of welded steel storage tanks, usually
used in the oil and gas industry. These give rise to different models, each of them
adapted to the needs of the specific products that must be included. Among the most
prominent is the API 620 tank.

The API 620 tank is made of carbon steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys.
when low-temperature use is required. In addition, its design incorporates a flat base or
slightly raised and a single centered vertical axis with a minimum thickness of 0.5 centimeters.

They are commonly used to store flammable, corrosive, or toxic liquids, as they are
considered a safe and reliable option for storing these materials.

This model is used for products with low internal pressure and low temperature, such as tanks.
Cryogenic. Another of its numerous advantages is that it can store all types of liquids.

API 620 standard for tanks current

The latest edition of the API 620 standard for tanks applies to the design of tanks.
low-pressure storage. Section Q of this standard specifies the requirements for
materials, design and manufacturing of metal parts for refrigerated tank systems.
This standard applies to storage tanks for liquid gases at a temperature of -198
°C or higher.

NORMA API 653

API 653 INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF TANKS

API Standard 653 was developed to guide during inspection work.

repair, alteration, and dismantling of storage tanks designed and manufactured
under the API 650 or API 12C standard.

The primary objective is to ensure the integrity of the tank during its operational state.
future. It will be necessary to conduct an external inspection that includes a visual inspection.
of the same, a thickness analysis using ultrasound as well as an inspection of the
cathodic protection (according to the API 651 standard).

In addition to the external inspection, an internal inspection of the tank must be carried out.
mainly to evaluate the integrity of its foundation.

The frequency level of inspections will be based on the historical data of the tank in service,
corrosion rates of the same and inspection type considered.

The API 653 standard indicates the inspection intervals for storage tanks.
ASME B31 STANDARD

Design, materials, manufacturing, testing and inspection of pressure pipes.

The ASME B31.1 code regulates all aspects related to pressure piping: from its
correct installation and design to the appropriate inspection and maintenance methods.

It is an international standard developed by the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), which has been in place since 1922
focus on pipeline safety and the development of strict codes for their
construction.

The code prescribes the minimum requirements to guarantee safety in design, materials,
manufacturing, verification, inspection, operation, and maintenance of pressure pipes.

In this way, it affects a wide variety of industries that depend on accessing this
top quality equipment, including generation stations
energyindustrial plantsdistrict heating projectsinsulated pipesfor empty for the
transport of cryogenic materials.

The complete ASME B31 code consists of a 200-page text plus appendices in which it
they collect exact specifications on how pressure pipes should be to provide
guarantees.

In summary, we cite some of the contents that the code includes as part of
the requirements:

A series of design conditions must be observed regarding issues such as

the pressure, minimum temperature, design temperature, in components without insulation and
externally and internally insulated pipes.

Among the design criteria, elements such as the pressure rating must be observed.
temperature for piping components, the ratings under normal operating conditions and
tolerance for variation regarding normal operation, the ratings in transitions, the
allowable tensions and other limits and the overthicknesses.

It also specifies requirements for pressure design for straight pipes under pressure.
internal, under external pressure, curved and piece in segments, branch connections, closures
or caps, design pressure of Flanges and Blanks, reductions and others
components.
Apply criteria for components and their fluid requirements.
It focuses on the flexibility and support that the pressure pipes will be able to provide.
provide.
Detail the conditions of the materials to be used.
Include the testing methods and acceptance criteria, inspection and examination.
 Design: EN13480 and ASME B31.3.

CRYOGENIC TANKS

Cryogenic tanks constitute an optimal solution in those cases where it is

It is necessary to store large quantities of gas in liquid form, such as Liquid Oxygen,
Liquid Nitrogen, Argon, CO2, LNG, LPG, Liquid Hydrogen, etc.

They are designed to store gases and liquids at extremely low temperatures, for
So, the insulation must provide high levels of resistance.

Benefits CRYOGENIC TANKS

Cryogenic tanks are a type of industrial storage tank that features

various advantages, which are related to aspects such as internal distribution,
loading or security.

It favors internal distribution and resource optimization

A cryogenic tank is a very versatile facility that allows the installation of a network.
centralized for the optimal distribution of the various cryogenic gases used. A
An important point in favor is that with this type of tanks there is no gas return.
the plant, as happens with other systems such as cylinders. In this way, a
resource saving.
Improvement of the loading process

The loading of gases using cryogenic tanks is carried out through vaporizers.
A great advantage of this system is that the liquid gas goes directly from the production plant.
to the user, avoiding sudden movements and gaining stability and security.

Greater purity

The gas stored in the cryogenic tanks maintains a higher purity level than
through other storage systems, since remaining always isolated in a tank
hermétco there is no possibility of contamination with any external agent.
Space saving

Cryogenic tanks allow for the storage of large quantities of gases and liquids in a
reduced space compared to conventional storage methods.

Energy efficiency

To maintain the tank content at the desired temperature, a system is needed that
minimize heat transfer between the tank's contents and the external environment.
Thanks to the design of the cryogenic tanks, this thermal energy loss is minimized, which
what savings in energy costs compared to other methods of
storage.

Increase in security

The risks are minimized, as the gas remains enclosed in hermetic tanks.
stable and without contact with the outside. The transfer of the cylinder within the
installations, avoiding unnecessary risks

MAIN COMPONENTS IN TANKS FOR CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS

A cryogenic tank is composed of a structure divided into two parts.

fundamentals:

An inner container built of stainless steel and designed to withstand

very low temperatures.
An outer carbon steel container.

The two containers are insulated from each other by a combination of insulating materials.

In addition to these two containers separated by insulating material, the cryogenic tanks
are equipped with another very important component for their proper functioning: a
pressure regulation system. This system is specifically designed for the
Cryogenic tank always works at a constant pressure suitable for the needs of
user
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR CRYOGENIC TANKS

The tanks for storing cryogenic gases follow certain requirements and protocols
very strict security measures, in order to prevent any type of accident that may occur
leaks, material damage and, above all, personal injuries. These are the main measures of
security

All cryogenic tanks are constructed with a double wall: inner container and
external container, which acts as an envelope. In addition, they are separated by a chamber.
intermediary that acts as a thermal insulating element, ensuring that the fluids
Cryogenics are always kept at the proper temperature.

Tank estates are equipped with relief valves and rupture discs or
blasting, which automatically releases the gas if it is produced, such as
consequence of some unforeseen event, an increase in pressure. This guarantees a
constant maintenance of pressure at the appropriate levels.

Not only is storage safe, but also transportation, as it is carried out in

tank trucks that also consist of a double wall and vacuum insulation through
inter chamber.

Gases stored in cryogenic tanks

LIN (Liquid Nitrogen)

LOX (liquid oxygen)

LAR (Liquid Argon)

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

He (Liquid Helium)

LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen)

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Liquid Ethylene

Depending on the storage temperature, the amount of material and the needs
There are different specificities for each liquid.

TYPES OF TANKS

Spherical Tanks
When the storage characteristics depend on the storage temperature
distinguish between spheres: at room temperature or semi-refrigerated. The choice of
one or the other will depend on the balance of the vapor pressure of the product and the volume of the
Sphere. It is about optimizing the mechanical design by limiting the thicknesses of the envelope.
of steel.

Depending on the storage temperature, two types of spheres are distinguished: a

ambient temperature or semi-refrigerated. The choice of one or the other will depend on the balance of
the vapor pressure of the product and the volume of the sphere. This is to optimize the design.
mechanical limiting the thicknesses of the steel envelope. The company also has in
this discipline with references that support the storage of liquefied gases in spheres
of capacities that are among the largest in the world, reaching up to 10,600 m3.

VERTICAL TANKS

Mainly used for the storage of liquefied gases, horizontal tanks consist of
certain particularities. Thus, they have an inner tank, in contact with the liquefied gas,
and an external tank, which may potentially include insulating materials. Between both
deposits create a void to achieve thermal insulation.

Additionally, all other equipment related to the horizontal gas tank (such as
covers and envelopes, manometers, thermometers, or valves) are also considered part of
equipment setup.

Regarding other options for the storage of cryogenic substances, the

horizontal tanks offer the following advantages:

It can represent the correct option when there are space constraints that
they would prevent the installation of vertical tanks.

Due to having a larger area coverage, horizontal tanks present

greater ease in its transport and handling, requiring smaller equipment and
manageable.

Derived from the previous advantage, this storage option is often also
more economical and profitable.
HORIZONTAL TANKS

Vertical tanks are containers for the storage of substances that have been
built in such a way that the length of the tank is not greater than the diameter of the
deposit, in the search for the greatest possible structural integrity.

Gases that can be stored

All types of substances at cryogenic temperatures are included here, including substances
such as LNG, LH2, LIN, LAR, LOX, or LHe, among others.

The diameter of horizontal tanks can vary depending on the needs of each.
project. Thus, it can range from 2 meters to 60 or more.

Among the typical accessories in horizontal tanks are the following:

Shut-off valves, ppr, pressure and vacuum vents, measurement hatches, wells of
record, sampling wells.