Blending crude w/condensate
Blending crude w/condensate
(OP)
Hello,
I've recently come across a setup which makes me worry a bit. A contractor is blending crude with condensate to achieve a desired API gravity. They have been using a cylindrical trailer-mounted mud tank and a small diesel pump for this purpose. Short version is they hook up a truck of condensate, pump it in, hook up a truck of crude, pump it in, run the mixer, check the gravity, pump it out into several trucks. Often some of the mixed product is left in the tank overnight. To me this seems like a fire risk - I expect the tank will be full to the brim with flammable gas when they start pumping fluids into it in the morning, and that the displaced gas will potentially find oxygen and a source of ignition in the surroundings. Can anyone here provide comments w/r/t (1) how common this sort of process is, (2) whether I'm right to be concerned, and (3) what precautions are recommended to prevent ignition at such a site?
I have a copy of API RP 500, it seems like "Combustible Liquid Storage Tank in a Nonenclosed Adequately Ventilated Area" might be a representative scenario?
I've recently come across a setup which makes me worry a bit. A contractor is blending crude with condensate to achieve a desired API gravity. They have been using a cylindrical trailer-mounted mud tank and a small diesel pump for this purpose. Short version is they hook up a truck of condensate, pump it in, hook up a truck of crude, pump it in, run the mixer, check the gravity, pump it out into several trucks. Often some of the mixed product is left in the tank overnight. To me this seems like a fire risk - I expect the tank will be full to the brim with flammable gas when they start pumping fluids into it in the morning, and that the displaced gas will potentially find oxygen and a source of ignition in the surroundings. Can anyone here provide comments w/r/t (1) how common this sort of process is, (2) whether I'm right to be concerned, and (3) what precautions are recommended to prevent ignition at such a site?
I have a copy of API RP 500, it seems like "Combustible Liquid Storage Tank in a Nonenclosed Adequately Ventilated Area" might be a representative scenario?
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
Sure the high vapor pressures are more dangerous. They should have hazardous area classifications and conduct operations within accordingly. No lights, cell phones, engines.
Independent events are seldomly independent.
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
Another failure mode that comes to mind is foaming if the centrifugal pump cavitates during operation (restricted lines, closed valves, etc) - does anyone know what would happen in the event that a pump used to recirculate a mix of condensate + crude in/out of a tank should happen to have its flow (inlet or outlet) obstructed? I'm imagining a foamy "milkshake" filling up the tank in short order & pouring out the top - but don't know whether that's plausible or not.
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
http://www.plantservices.com/articles/2010/07LubeF...
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
Take pictures and see if you get shot at.
Cavitation and foaming is possible, but I doubt they're worried about that.
Least as long as the pumps keep running.
Independent events are seldomly independent.
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
thanks for the input so far - if you've got any more thoughts I'm interested in hearing 'em.
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
Independent events are seldomly independent.
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
RE: Blending crude w/condensate
Independent events are seldomly independent.