pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
(OP)
Dear collegues, someone proposed to locate pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm,
Personally I'm not enthusiastic, because of hazard and maintenance issues.
Like to know what my respected collegues here think about this idea,
NPSH becomes better, but one can select pumps that are sufficient.
Personally I'm not enthusiastic, because of hazard and maintenance issues.
Like to know what my respected collegues here think about this idea,
NPSH becomes better, but one can select pumps that are sufficient.





RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
Does this mean:
(a). inside the Dike (Berm) with the Tank?
or
(b). outside the Dike but in the same are general area as the Tank?
Issue number 2 is the commodity. What is the commodity?
prognosis: Lead or Lag
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
Proposal is (a/b)inside the concrete walls near the tanks (~10m dia 12m high)
Products are mostly flammable.
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
Pumps inside the concrete wall with flammable product is a very bad idea.
Reason:
- Flammable products (aka Hydrocarbon) tend to give off vapors. The vapors of many hydrocarbon products are heavier than air so they will pool inside the walls. If there is a spark it can explode. If the walls are 2 meters high (higher than a man), you have a swimming pool filled with a lethal mixture that can overcome and kill any worker who enters the area to perform operations or maintenance.
- What can cause a spark? You have a piece of mechanical equipment (a pump) no doubt driven by and electric motor. Ask your Safety department how many ways this pump can cause a spark.
- What do the local Codes say about this arrangement? In the USA we use the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) Codes. I do not currently have access to a copy but if I remember correctly the one governing this issue ruled the pumps shall be located outside the secondary containment.
(Ref: NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code)
prognosis: Lead or Lag
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
(Thought it was a Anglosaxon idea), with your input I'll try to convince them.
Thank You.
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
However so long as the equipment is suitably rated for use in explosive atmospheres you can put it there. There are many electric actuators on tank shells and other similar equipment.
NFPA30,I can't say, but could be your key point.
It is usual to place them outside the bund alright, but if you have something that needs a pump there then it can be done safely.
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm
I hate Windows 8!!!!
RE: pumps for loading and unloading inside the tankfarm