stop leaking at methanol tank

[91873634542]

Dear all,

we have problem at methanol tank.
the tank attached at line with diameter around 1 meter.
this tank leaks caused by crack.
what should we do to stop leaking at this thank without shutdown ?

Regards
EP

 

[Duwe6]

Try using a pencil-point punch to force the crack shut. Use a brass hammer, wear a WET firemans suit and have someone standing by with a CO2 fire extinguisher.

With the leak slowed, or stopped, band on some 'rubber' gasket material. Fix the crack as soon as possible, as cracks grow every time they are stressed.

 

[adamuk]

Before you go about killing someone ask yourself some questions:


(1) Are you sure this is the only crack in your tank?
(2) Is the length actually the total length? There may be a very large crack of which only a small part has become through wall.
(3) Is the crack at such a length that catastrophic failure may occur. Blunting the crack tip may or may not work (see PD6493 or API 579 for clues)
(4) How did this crack arise? Fabrication defect? Environmental cracking? Fatigue? If you don't know what started it then how do you know how to stop it.

Adam.

Adam Potter MEng CEng MIMechE

http://www.ax-ea.co.uk