INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM FOR MITIGATION OF VAPOUR CLOUD EXPLOSIONS
Total’s Dirk Roosendans, Pol Hoorelbeke and Christian Kapp explain the company’s new technology the oil industry operates installations and processes with important quantities of flammable substances within a wide range of pressures and temperatures. A particular hazard for this type of installations is an accidental release of a large quantity of flammable material resulting in the formation of a flammable cloud within the installation. Historical evidence has shown that the ignition of such a cloud can lead to an explosion producing shock waves with enough energy to cause substantial damage to process plants and equipment and even lead to a […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF FLAME AND GAS DETECTORS
Tim Jones from RPS Group looks at the available guidance on the quantity and siting of flame and gas detectors FLAME and gas detection plays an important role within a structured process safety management system, in order to assure the protection of people, the environment, assets and corporate reputation. Detection is a function of both the hardware’s ability to function on demand and detectors being located in the ‘right’ place. LIMITED GUIDANCE Historically, there has been a significant effort invested in ensuring detectors function on demand and less focus given to their positioning (termed flame and gas detector mapping). This […]
PRIMED FOR SUCCESS
Mascoat introduces two new primers for use under thermal insulating coatings Protecting substrates on storage tanks from corrosion is of utmost importance to facilities of all kinds, as the consequences of not doing so can be detrimental. That protection has been a driving factor in Mascoat’s approach to the market since its inception in 1995. The company manufactures and sells products that offer true thermal insulation, but in a coating form. By adhering directly to the primer or surface, there is no internal environment in which moisture can ingress and begin the corrosion under insulation (CUI) process. The coatings are […]
A COST- AND SAFETY-CONSCIOUS APPROACH TO COATING TANK EXTERIORS
Paul Cook, of Painters USA, examines best practices for facility and terminal managers Surveys and testing are vital for delivering safety, savings and long-lasting surface coatings, regardless of where a tank is located. Here’s an example: A facility manager invited a certified NACE Institute inspector and instructor into his facility to quote a project for sandblasting and coating a tank. As the inspector examined the tank, which contained sulfuric acid, he noticed a few, almost imperceptible, spots flaking off. The tank’s top revealed slight areas where the steel had swelled (Figure 1). The inspector immediately asked if anyone had inspected […]
MIXERS, AEROPLANES AND INNOVATION
Ekaterina Tuzovskaya and Eugene Starokaznikov from SIA Saber Evnat discuss why you need a mixer, even if you do not think you really need one! Surprisingly, many representatives of the liquid bulk storage professional community believe the following two myths: Industrial in-tank mixers are required only when the blending of liquid products is the ultimate goal; and Industrial in-tank mixers are electric propeller mixers. A DEEP-DIVE INTO THE FIRST MYTH Indeed, the purpose of any mixer is to either combine one or several components (whether solid, suspension or liquid) or to preserve the uniform quality parameters. However, there is a […]
THE UNDERLYING IMPORTANCE OF SMART TANK LEVEL MONITORING
Sanjeev Verma explains how Biz4intellia’s smart tank level monitoring system can be used to gain actionable insights Traditional or manual ways of monitoring storage tanks can to lead to certain errors during the monitoring process, creating a challenging situation for the plant managers to measure the fluid quantities accurately. Above and below-ground installations require proper management and monitoring, allowing better decision-making regarding business and profits. The Internet of Things (IoT) is now helping multiple industries flourish, and is increasingly being harnessed to improve tank storage facilities. Choosing a Smart Tank Level Monitoring System Several manual methods and tools can […]
INDUSTRIAL TANK MONITORING MADE EASY
ClearBlade and Radio Bridge’s bundled IIoT tank monitoring delivers cost-effective and flexible monitoring Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform and edge computing software company ClearBlade has been implementing complex systems for well over a decade and has seen its fair share of IIoT ‘science experiments’ over the years. While there is much excitement around the promise of IIoT, the actual business benefits and results have been hard to come by. This is because it takes several vendors to come together to deliver an IIoT solution and to date, these solutions have been long, expensive, bespoke solutions that are very difficult […]
WHY DO WE KEEP BLOWING THINGS UP?
Peter Williams from Concord Tank Corporation looks at the reasons for repeated accidents, and what everyone in the industry can do to make a difference our industry has a problem. We have been making the news for the wrong reasons. Stories like these seem to be making the nightly news headlines every few months: September 2020 – Mauritius – shipwreck and oil spill – oil polluting tropical blue waters. August 2020 – Corpus Christi pipeline explosion – four fatalities August 2020 – Pasadena refinery tank fire – tank destroyed May 2020 – Siberian oil spill – US$2.1 billion set aside […]
TANK CLEANING – THE CRUDE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM
The DS Jet Mixing System offered by Allerion Oilfield Services can prevent the build-up of crude oil sludge crude oils have the propensity to separate into the heavier and lighter hydrocarbons from which they are composed. This is often aggravated by cool temperatures, the venting of volatile components from the crude, and by the static condition of fluid during storage. The heavy ends that separate from the crude oil and are deposited on the bottoms of storage vessels are known as ‘tank bottoms’, or ‘sludge’. It is a combination of hydrocarbons, sediment, paraffin and water. Sludge can accelerate corrosion, reduce […]
Q&A WITH TERRA INSPECTIONEERING
StocExpo presenter Marien van den Hoek, co-founder and commercial director of Terra Inspectioneering, explains why you need drones and robotics HOW DID TERRA GET STARTED WITH DRONES? After working for big companies in the process industry for more than 40 years, I started my own company in 2012, because I had a vision that in the new era of inspections in dangerous confined spaces, we should replace the people with robotics. It’s very, very difficult to make changes in the process industry and initially take-up was low. Acceptance was hindered by legislation, which is far behind what you can actually […]
EMBRACING THE DIGITAL FUTURE OF TANK TERMINALS
Staying ahead of the curve in a fluctuating market with the newest cloud services from the Implico Group THE downstream industry is always in motion. New players enter the market all the time, while existing players shift their assets, pinpoint their operations, and realign their focus points. Furthermore, the market conditions and even the legal defaults might also change from time to time. This brings about big challenges for all partakers in the trade: market volatility, oil price fluctuation, value chain fragmentation, energy transition and more. To stay ahead of the curve in this hard-to-predict setting, oil and gas companies […]
A BETTER WAY TO HANDLE DATA
Dearman Systems explains why multi-terminal data unification should be a part of your digital transformation strategy founded in 1988, Dearman Systems is a global leader in terminal automation and enterprise management software for the bulk liquid storage industry. From its offices in Tucson, Arizona and Houston, Texas in the US, Dearman serves nearly 200 customers worldwide. TERMINAL AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND A DATA-FOCUSsED PRODUCT STRATEGY Dearman’s software handles a wide variety of terminal types including bulk petroleum, chemical, renewable fuels, aviation, liquified natural gas (LNG) and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) terminals. The company offers two implementations of its terminal automation software […]
SOUND SOLUTIONS ON THE ROAD TO DECARBONISATION
Peter Zonneveld from Neste looks at the future of liquid biofuels WE all know that the clock is ticking when it comes to mitigating climate change. We understand the magnitude of the climate crisis and that it calls for extensive and varied actions. Transport currently accounts for approximately a fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions, so we know the importance of this sub-area in achieving the climate goals. In the short- to mid-term, electrification of transport will not solve the big challenge of reaching emission targets; alternative fuels are also needed. Energy policy focuses on reducing emissions through a […]
THE IMO 2050 AGENDA
Channoil’s Mark Waddington explains why the short term for marine fuels will be ‘lower carbon’, not ‘decarbonisation’. The world is under increasing pressure to decarbonise. Channoil Consulting, in association with Gibsons’ Shipbrokers, has investigated the context of decarbonisation in the maritime sector, taken a reality check on the fuelling options and likely short-term solutions, and examined fuel economics for the likely short-term options. CONTEXT OF DECARBONISATION Policing global quality standards is not easy. Other transport fuels such as gasoline and diesel can be – and have been – regulated at a country or regional level. However, the aviation and shipping […]
A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW COVID-19 AND IMO 2020 ARE IMPACTING FUEL OIL
JBC Energy’s Eugene Lindell explains why we shouldn’t count on HSFO weakness any time soon IN the run up to 2020 the most frequently discussed topic was undoubtedly IMO 2020 and its ramifications across the refining, bunkering, shipping, and terminalling industries. Indeed we at JBC Energy had been preparing for this topic since 2017 as many readers of this magazine will know. But when 2020 finally arrived, the International Maritime Organization’s limelight was overshadowed by the global COVID-19 pandemic that swiftly took centre stage, skewing price signals and pushing refiners into survival mode. For the various stakeholders in the industries […]
SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION
Ravi Bhatiani, executive director of FETSA, shares his thoughts What do you think the tank storage sector will look like in 2050? In 30 years time we are probably going to see a few trends, not simply a shift in product mix. I think there will be changes that will not be very visible but will be very important: this will include prioritising cyber security infrastructure to counter escalating cyber threats and a focus on physical protection from emerging physical threats such as drones or other autonomous vehicles. In terms of liquids, my personal view is that I think there […]
GOAL ZERO
Mark Quartermain, VP for crude trading and supply, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company, talks about the importance of improving safety for all SAFETY is of paramount importance for all responsible companies across the energy industry. Tank storage operators, including Shell, are no exception. It has been encouraging to see several improved safety standards and guidelines introduced across the storage operation community over recent years. And it has been encouraging to hear the potential for further improvements in tank farm safety being discussed at industry events across the world. External storage providers play a critical role in Shell’s supply […]
IT STARTED WITH A WISH
Jens Anker from Marvesa and John Kraakman from Koole tell Tank Storage Magazine about their partnership and future plans in december 2020, Dutch oils and fats company Marvesa and terminal operator Koole Terminals announced that they had signed an agreement under which Koole would build and operate a new 80,000 m3 tank terminal in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, for Marvesa. For Marvesa, the partnership with Koole was a brand new step. Marvesa began 11 years ago, and produces edible oils and fats for the animal feeds industry. It develops nutritional blends for farm animals to improve health and performance, and […]
THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED
Bonita Botha from Orca Fuel Solutions talks to Tank Storage Magazine about the importance of professionalism and passion How many companies do you know of that are 100% owned and managed by women? And how many of those operate in the tank industry? Well, there is at least one – South Africa’s Orca Fuel Solutions. Orca manufactures fuel storage solutions for the African market, for industries including mining, construction, aviation and fuel supplies. The company makes a self-bunded, or double-walled, fuel tank, and its engineering department designs equipment and solutions to transfer fuels for generators and other equipment at deployment […]
KEEPING PACE WITH CHANGE
Maikel Van Nijnatten from Tradebe explains how evolving product demand is making diversification essential In October 2020, Spanish hydrocarbon storage company Tradebe Port Services, a division of the Tradebe group, bought TWG Tanklager Wilhelmsburg, a chemicals storage provider in the Seaport of Hamburg, Germany, from BDH Biodiesel Hamburg. The TWG site comprises 14 storage tanks with a capacity to store 34,500 m3 of class B hydrocarbons, chemicals and speciality chemical products, with tank sizes from 500-6,000 m3. Its jetty, which has a 9 m draught, can accommodate seagoing vessels up to 230 m in length, and it is well-connected […]
Expanding to meet demand
A world leader in the production of specialty oils, Ergon recently expanded its Antwerp site. Ergon International’s Per Dahlstedt talks to Tank Storage Magazine Business is booming for specialty oils in Europe at the moment, and one company determined to make the most of the opportunity is Ergon International, which recently announced an expansion at its terminal in Antwerp in Belgium. Ergon International is part of US-based firm Ergon, which has 3,200 employees worldwide, and distributes products from two other Ergon subsidiaries – Ergon Refining, the world’s largest producer of specialty naphthenic oils, and Ergon West Virginia, a major manufacturer […]
CLIMATE NEUTRALITY
FETSA argues that sustainability goals should be based on the well-to-wheel approach MAKING road transport more sustainable is obviously critical to reach the climate neutrality by 2050 goals, set by the EU in the European Green Deal. EU legislation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans is being used as a way to incentivise climate neutral road transport. However, these rules focus on promoting zero tail pipe emission travel, which directs the automotive sector and consumers towards electrification. At a very basic level if the electricity used to power such vehicles comes from coal fired power plants as is […]
TANKS AND THE UK’S GREEN PLAN
Peter Davidson from the UK Tank Storage Association looks at the implications of the UK government’s sustainability plan THE UK has legally binding carbon reduction targets. Under the Climate Change Act 20081 and the fifth carbon budget, covering 2028-32, the UK Government has set a target for a 57% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2030 against a 1990 baseline. Following the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) in May 20192, the UK’s 2050 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target was increased from 80% to ‘net zero’ in June 2019. THE TEN POINT PLAN More recently, the UK […]
TIMES ARE CHANGING
Dr Elodie Zausa talks to Tank Storage Magazine about attitudes to women in the tank industry DR ELODIE ZAUSA works for French petroleum storage company Géosel, in business development for storage. On a day-to-day basis, she works with existing and new customers, including traders and refiners, to sell storage and transport capacity for crude oil and refined products. Women in responsible positions in the tank storage industry are still a relative rarity, and in the first of a new series focussing on women in tanks, Tank Storage Magazine was keen to chat to Zausa to find out about her experiences. […]
The 3 Ms of bulk liquid storage – measure, monitor and manage
A summary of the points raised by Derek Blagg in the November Tank Talk webinar the November Tank Talk webinar looked at three important factors in the safe, efficient operation of bulk liquid storage tanks, which oil and gas solutions company Varec calls the ‘3 Ms’ – measure, monitor and manage. The webinar was presented by Derek Blagg, the commercial director of Varec, who has been with the company for more than 20 years. Varec offers software, hardware and services to the oil and gas industry, including commercial and defence. Its solutions include tank gauging, inventory management, supervisory control and […]
New firefighting foam for fire safety
Bioex gives a few tips to select the appropriate foam concentrate for your fire risk at tank storage terminals around the world, fire is potentially the greatest single threat to safety, therefore choosing the right fire protection is critical. In the event of a fire, effective extinguishing systems and firefighting foam are vital. Tank farm fires in the oil and petrochemical industry do not occur often. When they do occur, it is with devastating effects and sometimes cause deaths and pollution. This highlights the importance of having suitable systems and maintaining fully functioning fire safety systems, to prevent, detect […]
Tank disinfection with UV light
HyDe is developing disinfection systems suitable for storage tanks based on the application of UV-C LEDs HyDe Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Desinfektionstechnologie (Company for Hygiene and Disinfection Technology) was founded in Saxony, Germany, as a start-up for developing, producing and selling UV light disinfection devices. HyDe operates in various industry segments, such as automotive, sanitary, public transport, food and beverages, as well as storage tank farms. BLOCKING VIRUS TRANSMISSION The transmission of pathogens, especially viruses like COVID-19, locally as well as internationally, has become a very relevant topic in 2020. The worldwide exchange of people and goods along any […]
Making port calls more efficient
Careful analysis of data using the Qronoport platform can reduce wasted time for liquid bulk vessels during port calls A liquid bulk vessel is sailing towards the Port of Antwerp, which is extremely efficient, and one of the world’s most important chemical ports. The vessel is one of the 5,300 liquid bulk vessels that arrive at the port every year, making 8,700 berth calls at the different terminals. She first arrives at the pilot station at sea to get clearance to sail into the port, and is one of the 65% of liquid bulk vessels which have to wait for […]
Innovative and efficient tank maintenance
Despite the added complications of working in a pandemic, 3X Engineering successfully completed a tank repair earlier this year In July 2020 pipeline repair and protection specialist 3X Engineering was asked to reinforce a tank suffering from severe external corrosion leading to a through wall defect (a hole measuring 15×15 mm and depth 5 mm). After analysis of the tank and defect characteristics, 3X Engineering decided to repair the installation using a Reinforcekit Patch, specially designed for tank long-term repair. According to ISO 24.817 and 3X repair calculations, they applied 6 Kevlar patches covered with epoxy resin (size 300x300mm). Before […]
All Time’s advanced tank welding in major Middle East project
All Time’s automatic vertical tank welder provided more productive and efficient welding for a large tank project Hong kong company All Time, which has a production facility in Shanghai, China, has 20 years of experience in manufacturing specialist tank welding equipment. Its expertise was recently called upon by a major Middle Eastern engineering company, which had been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to deliver a network of 95 crude oil storage tanks for a leading oil company. Each of the tanks is 110 m in diameter and 22 m in height, and has a storage capacity of […]
Revolutionising work at height
Mina Kamel, CEO and co-founder of Voliro Airborne Robotics, discusses the revolutionary potential of flying inspection robots for storage tanks eaking storage tanks cause severe damage to the environment, not to mention asset downtime and reputational risk for asset owners. All these potential risks can be avoided with regular inspections. Yet traditional inspection methods come with their own costs and challenges. Regular inspection of ageing infrastructure such as storage tanks, silos and pipes is crucial in order to maintain their performance and safety with minimum capital outlay. These inspections are often in difficult to reach areas and require placement of […]
Sustainable storage and the COVID-19 pandemic
Arend van Campen and Aimee Cabalo from Tank Terminal Training and TSSI examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tank storage demand and how it might affect the push towards sustainability The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly and temporarily filled global storage tanks to the brim. Tankers, unable to transport crude and petroleum products profited by being chartered to store even more oil and petroleum on board as tank storage availability became scarce. Refineries had to slow down or suspend refining. Now, as the threat of the virus lessens, we have to ask some important questions. What did we learn? How […]
