3.4.1
Identifying Features & Maintenance
Procedures for Bulk Storage Containers
Keeping the bulk plant safe and productive means that plant
operating personnel must understand the operating
characteristics of the features of bulk storage containers.
Applying this knowledge, they must perform routine and
periodic inspection and maintenance operations as needed
to keep the containers in good working order.
In this module you will learn to identify:
(1) Features of bulk storage containers
(2) Maintenance procedures for bulk storage containers
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 1
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
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Figure 1. Features of ASME Bulk Storage Tank
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 1
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Relief Valves
Courtesy of Rego
Figure 2. Internal Spring-Type Pressure Relief Valves
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 2
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Relief Valves
Courtesy of Rego
Figure 3a. Dual-Port Manifold
(External Relief Valves)
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 3
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Relief Valves
Courtesy of Rego
Figure 3b. Four-Port Manifold
(External Relief Valves)
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 4
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Relief Valves
Courtesy of Fisher
Figure 3c. Four-Port Manifold
(External Relief Valves)
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 5
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Relief Valves
Figure 4. Pressure Relief Valve Markings
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 5
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Relief Valves
There are three important markings that must be understood:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Manufacturer's date code
Start-to-discharge pressure rating (ASME or UL)
Flow capacity rating (ASME or UL)
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 6
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid Temperature Measuring Components
Liquid temperature measurement is important for determining maximum permitted
liquid filling level for the storage tank and for loading bobtails and transports.
Liquid temperature measurement also is required for accurate propane inventory
accounting.
Figure 5. Dial Indicating Thermometer
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 6
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid Temperature Measuring Components
Temperature measuring devices are rarely immersed directly into propane liquid.
Instead, they are usually inserted in a temperature well. The temperature well is
a tube filled with non-corrosive liquid and is located in the liquid space of the tank.
Figure 6. Temperature Well
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 7
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Vapor Pressure Gauge
Figure 7. Pressure Gauge
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 7
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Fixed Maximum Liquid Level Gauge
Figure 8. Fixed Liquid Level Gauge
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 8
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid Level Gauges
Rotary Liquid Level Gauges
Figure 9. Rotary Gauge
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 9
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid Level Gauges
Rotary Liquid Level Gauges
Figure 10. Rotary
Gauge Face
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 10
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid Level Gauges
Float-Type Liquid Level Gauge
Figure 11. Float Gauge Dial Face (4 inch)
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 10
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid and Vapor Withdrawal and Inlet Valves
Tank Openings
a. Threaded Half Coupling
b. Threaded Full Coupling
Courtesy of Rego Co
Figure 12. Weld-in Threaded Couplings
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 11
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid and Vapor Withdrawal and Inlet Valves
Excess Flow Valves are usually installed directly into the withdrawal
connection of the container. Working in conjunction with a manual shutoff
valve, an excess flow valve controls the flow of liquid from a container to
a pump suction line or a transfer line in a compressor network.
Figure 13. Excess Flow Valve
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Pages 11 & 12
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid and Vapor Withdrawal and Inlet Valves
Excess Flow Valves installed in container openings must be
accompanied with a manual shutoff valve.
Internal Valves provide added protection.
Courtesy of Fisher Controls Co.
Figure 14. Internal Valves
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Pages 11 & 12
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Liquid and Vapor Withdrawal and Inlet Valves
The primary difference between the excess flow valve and the internal valve is
the static condition of the valves. Excess flow valves remain open at all times,
except during liquid transfer operations when a completely separated transfer
hose or piping section causes the discharge of sufficient liquid volume at a
pressure causing the excess flow valve to close. Excess flow valves may not
close under all operating conditions.
Internal valves remain closed except during transfer operations, and if their
excess flow features do not actuate in the event of a hose or piping separation,
internal valves can be closed by remote actuators or the action of a thermal
closing device in the event of fire.
Internal valves are categorized by the means in which they are actuated
(opened). Some are manually opened with a lever, while others are opened by
gas or liquid pressure downstream of the valve. Closure is normally an automatic
function of flow rate and downstream pressure.
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 13
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Manually Operated Internal Valves (Spring-Loaded Internal Valves)
The manually operated internal valve combines the features of a manual
shutoff valve with an automatic excess flow valve function.
Courtesy of Rego Co.
Figure 15. Internal Valve Operation
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 13
Identifying the Features of Bulk Storage Containers
Manually Operated Internal Valves (Spring-Loaded Internal Valves)
Internal valves may be closed manually in a number of ways:
• manually at the installed location
• from a remote location with a cable or air actuated system
• by the fusible link in the cable or air line in the event of fire
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 15
Maintenance Procedures for Bulk Storage Containers
C om pany
O & M
P ro ced u res
All bulk plant maintenance performed should conform to your
company’s written operating and maintenance procedures and
to equipment manufacturers’ instructions as they apply to
specific equipment installation and maintenance procedures.
Maintenance Procedures:
1.
Preventative—work done to prevent damage to the equipment,
prolong operational life, and ensure high efficiency through peak
performance.
2.
Corrective— work done on the system after a problem or failure
occurs.
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Page 15
Maintenance Procedures for Bulk Storage Containers
Preventative Maintenance is the responsibility of everyone associated
with the propane transfer system.
Perform a Walk Through Visual Inspection .
Maintain Good Recordkeeping.
Component Inspection & Preventative Maintenance Requirements—
Company maintenance plans and maintenance policy will dictate the
frequency of inspections and the particular maintenance operations for a
plant.
Review the sample bulk tank inspect sheet detailing some of the many
preventative maintenance operations that will be encountered in typical
bulk plant and bulk truck propane transfer systems shown in Figure 16.
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Pages 15 - 19
Maintenance Procedures for Bulk Storage Containers
NFPA 58
2004
Requirements for written maintenance plans for industrial
and bulk plants are listed in Chapter 14.
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Time to See If You Got the Key Points of
This Module…
• Complete the Review on pages 20 & 21.
• See if you are ready for the Certification
Exam by checking off the
performance criteria on page 22.
3.4.1 Student Book  © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council
Pages 20 - 22