forensiclab
Materials
Hi guys,
There is a total of 5 STL tanks in operation which are connected to chillers for district cooling. During the night when cooling usage is low, cool brine will be passed through the tanks to freeze up the ice balls inside to store the latent heat. During the day, the ice balls will be melted to support the chiller.
The tanks were put into commission since 1993. Recently we found leaks on two of the tanks. We then proceeded to remove the insulation and realised that there were cracks together with warping/buckling on the wall of the tanks.
As there is a substantial amount of condensation occurring, we first thought that it might be due to corrosion that leads to lost in material. After we did a thickness testing, the reduction in thickness of the tank wall was not significant.
I could not figure out what could have caused this failure. Someone please enlighten me.
Many Thanks!!
There is a total of 5 STL tanks in operation which are connected to chillers for district cooling. During the night when cooling usage is low, cool brine will be passed through the tanks to freeze up the ice balls inside to store the latent heat. During the day, the ice balls will be melted to support the chiller.
The tanks were put into commission since 1993. Recently we found leaks on two of the tanks. We then proceeded to remove the insulation and realised that there were cracks together with warping/buckling on the wall of the tanks.
As there is a substantial amount of condensation occurring, we first thought that it might be due to corrosion that leads to lost in material. After we did a thickness testing, the reduction in thickness of the tank wall was not significant.
I could not figure out what could have caused this failure. Someone please enlighten me.
Many Thanks!!
