Professional Training and Consultation

15 – 20 May 2004, Dammam

API 653 PREPARATORY COURSE

Exam 3 — Open Book

Note: Tick only one alternative which you think is most appropriate.

1. Typical corroded areas on a shell plate are exhibited below in Figure 1 with measured
thickness in inches indicated on the sketch. The minimum required thickness of the
shell plate is 0.750” and C.A. required is 0.15”.

Figure 1
0.65 X AREA “A”

0.66 x

x 0.72

x 0.54 AREA “B”

x 0.75

x 0.72

x 0.66 AREA “C”

x 0.75

0.72

The total length of arrow line drawn is 8 inches. The length of the line in each
of the corroded areas A, B and C are 1.5”, 0.3” and 0.2” respectively.
Comment on the acceptability of the corroded condition.
a. Acceptable
b. Not acceptable

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c. Conduct a patch plate repair

d. The pitting can be ignored as a case of widely scattered pitting

2. A tank is constructed as per API-650. Its original thickness is 0.500 inch. Its
diameter is 25 feet and height is 15 feet. After 10 years, the tank is inspected
and the following readings are recorded on the shell. Figure 2 exhibits a
corroded portion of the developed shell of the tank from the inside. The
designed corrosion allowance is 0.125”. Minimum thickness (t2) is among the
following readings.

Plane A Plane B Plane C Plane D

0.345 0.500 0.450 0.480

0.400 0.450 0.400 0.475

0.500 0.435 0.330 0.315

0.480 0.475 0.350 0.275

0.495 0.485 0.375 0.300

0.480 0.450 0.400 0.350

0.485 0.470 0.425 0.400

0.490 0.450

Figure 2

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What is the minimum thickness recorded?

a. 0.315”
b. 0.275”
c. 0.330”
d. all of the above

3. Calculate the critical L dimension for this condition

a. 9.7”
b. 40”
c. 12”
d. All of the above

4. For the same conditions of Figure 2 if the location of the bottom of the critical length
is 2 feet from the tank floor and the designed liquid height is 12 feet what is the value
of H in the formula exhibited in Clause 2.3.3.1?

a. 3”
b. 15 feet
c. 10 feet
d. All of the above

5. Find the value of S which may be assumed for the lower course of old tank
considering the fact that the material is A516 gr 70.

a. 30000 psi
b. 18000 psi
c. 23995 psi
d. 23595 psi

6. Find the value of the allowable stress in the first shell course of the conditions
of the tank considered in above question if material is not known.
a. 4680 psi
b. 23600 psi
c. 2550 psi
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d. 30000 psi

7. From the data of Figure 2, which of the plane above will be considered to calculate t1?

a. Plane a
b. Plane b
c. Plane c
d. Plane d

8. What will be the value of t1 for above question?

a. 0.380
b. 0.397
c. 0.468
d. 0.458

9. A corroded roof plate is found to have an average thickness of 0.1" measured

over an area of 100 sq. inches. This area shall be:-

a. Repaired or replaced
b. Found to be acceptable
c. Repair is prohibited
d. Replacement is mandated

10. When determining average thickness in a corroded area of a shell, a minimum

of equally paced measurements shall be taken over a length of L.
a. 10
b. 5
c. 8
d. 6

11. Vertical welds must be fully radiographed if the shell thickness exceeds
inches:
a. 3/4
b. 1
c. 1 - 1/4
d. 1-½

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12. Anticipated minimum thickness of tank bottom where bottom / foundation

design provides for leak detection and containment is:

a. 0.10 inch
b. 0.05 inch
c. 0.09 inch
d. same as without leak detection and containment

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