How to replace a tank of 16 years old???

[Cessare25]

Hello friends, I am having a big problem, in my company we need to replace one Tank of cone roof of dimensions (15 meters Diameter and 15 meters height), translate and colocate it in a new place. I never done it before, just had some experience construction new tanks but anything like that before. The Tank has flat floor and is very simple (I think the thickness of wall of the tank is 3/8" and 1/4"). I will attach some pics and wish someone can give me any opinion about that. I really think its very complicate to do for big deformations and one previus structural calculus. I am thinking to weld rings in all the tank by steps and weld inside some I beams to keep the circumferential dimension always. It has anchors but they can easily remove and I was thinking what some hydraulic fittings can lift it of the ground and with one apropiate crane to lift it and put in the new place I am not sure if I am thinking goor or I am totally bad about my procedure.. I really need some help.. please.. greetings.. Cesar

 

[zdas04]

A tank that size was probably built in place. Moving it down a road is barely possible (many roads have less ROW than 15 m), and it is very difficult. My guess is that it will cost you more to move it than it would cost to deconstruct it and rebuild it at the new location.

If you just have to move it, I would contact people who move homes.

David

 

[Cessare25]

Zdas04, thanks you for the answer, but I clear something. Its true. I need to replace it.. I could rebuild it but how could I dismounting it? I should cut the tank and I guess I could build one new "ring" of wall (maybe the first ring of wall) and then start again with the old walls of tank I dismounted. I really am evaluating possibilities but the owners of the company said not possible to MAKE A NEW TANK and we should to replace it or see one way to reuse it.

 

[IFRs]

You can easily jack the tank, put beams under it and tow it to a new place. Been done lots of times.

 

[Cessare25]

IFRs, thanks.. but the weight of the tank is like 60 Tn. I am not very sure if lifting with some crane I could replace it easily. I guess I could damage and maybe make some deformations in this tank. Do you got any procedure of this work? I would like to know much more about your ideas, thanks.

 

[JStephen]

Contact the people who do this kind of work in your area and see what they think is feasible.

Moving it in one piece can be done in various ways, but depends on how far it is being moved and what is in between. Moving it around in the same facility may be quite practical. Moving it to an entirely new facility may be impractical.

 

[Cessare25]

Thanks Stephen.. I asked for some local companies and they told me they could do it but I can see that they are lieing me, they dont have practise doing that, neither expertise, so I still think if someone could have an old procedure of sucessfull work done almost with same conditions?. I'm from Chile. Greetings

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

i know these guys could do it. Too far away, but a nice little link for all the web-surfers out there. (I don't know why these guys don't have more on their lighthouse move to read up on.)

http://www.internationalchimney.com

i don't see a crane involved in the tank move. The new foundation structure can be built to meet the tank in place once positioned on sacrificial supports. I could see a weaker crane for hoisting piping and equipment once it's in place. anyway about it, the tank owner should have an idea of what works but stay out of directing the contractor. If there are no contractors that can demonstrate they can do it and present an acceptable plan, then it can't be done. suerte.

 

[zdas04]

That looks like an amazing company, bet they come down on the pricey side though.

They remind me of the well control specialists before the first Gulf War. There were basically two companies that would fight an oil-well fire. They charged whatever they wanted and people paid it. I remember one time there was a tank-farm fire in Denver that the fire department had been fighting for a week with no progress. The city called in Red Adair. His crew showed up, assessed the situation, put the fire out, and left within 12 hours of their arrival. They sent the city a huge bill (I don't remember the exact amount, but it was big). The Denver Post called to get an explanation of why they charged the city $100k/hour or whatever it was and Red Adair's guy said "The bill was one quarter of what you spent before we got there, and your people had made zero progress. We put the fire out". Then he hung up.

I bet ICC has exactly that attitude--you call us because no one else can do the job, pay us what we ask or pay us more to fix what someone else messes up. I bet calling those guys to move this tank would cost several times the value of a new tank.

David

 

[tankerator]

We're in the middle of getting bids on moving a 150' diameter storage tank. It's definitely pricey and we're only going about 100 feet. There are multiple options if you aren't going far: hydraulic lifting and then moving it on tracks, air bladders (like a hovercraft), and gantry cranes are some options.

These guys can do it:

http://www.mammoet.com/

Also, Mix Bros. in the Houston area.

Recommend subcontracting it out. You don't want the responsibility of over stressing the tank.

 

[Cessare25]

Thanks friends..Just now I am sending some emails to this companies and will try to get any budget.
I am going to work with a lot tanks I guess in other projects and this forum will be very usefull I am sure.