Ammonia Storage Tanks

THE E 2G DIFFERENCE
Establish the Optimal Inspection Strategy C A S E S T U DY BENEFITS
With ammonia storage tanks, an out-of-service internal inspection may introduce oxygen into the tank and
cause the propagation of potential damage. Developing a repeatable, in-service inspection strategy for AMMONIA STORAGE TANK
UNDERSTAND LONG-TERM
ammonia storage tanks will help improve operational reliability and minimize the probability of failure from
MAINTENANCE AND
several damage mechanisms, including ammonia stress corrosion cracking (SCC). INDUSTRY: Fertilizer
OPERATIONAL RISK
TYPE OF ASSET: Ammonia Storage Tank MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Fertilizer and renewable hydrogen manufacturers need to identify the optimal balance between the need for
LOCATION: USA
an internal inspection versus the potential consequences of performing those inspections.
LOCATE AREAS OF
At E²G | The Equity Engineering Group, Inc., our consulting team helps to navigate the challenges of high- IMPROVEMENT TO MITIGATE
consequence ammonia storage tanks with a multidisciplinary approach to inspection strategies. Our team FUTURE DAMAGE
integrates risk-based inspection (RBI), fitness-for-service (FFS), and materials and corrosion expertise to
provide a comprehensive and practical inspection strategy for your ammonia storage tanks.
IDENTIFY PERMISSIBLE
ISSUE:
CRACK-LIKE FLAW SIZES
Applying Quantitative & Qualitative Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Programs The client reached out to E²G to develop
Ammonia is often high consequence and can be difficult to accurately model. E²G combines API RP 581, Risk-Based appropriate inspection strategies and intervals
Inspection Technology, quantitative methodology with the Fertilizers Europe qualitative RBI approach to deliver accurate for an ammonia storage tank, with a focus on
inspection intervals and risk reduction recommendations. Manufacturers will benefit from this comprehensive RBI non-intrusive inspection techniques given
MINIMIZE POTENTIAL FOR
assessment before an in-service inspection as the results will determine what level of inspection will be required, a concerns with entering the tank and promoting
ammonia SCC. OXYGEN CONTAMINATION
recommended inspection interval, and the optimal inspection technique. E²G engineers use their expert knowledge to
incorporate results from both assessments in determining a recommended inspection interval that balances the tank’s SOLUTION:
probability of failure with its consequence of failure.
E²G performed a multidisciplinary assessment
of the ammonia storage tank to determine the
Collaborative Damage Mechanism Reviews recommended inspection interval and method
E²G’s metallurgy and corrosion experts provide valuable insight into the type of damage that can occur within an of inspection. This approach included RBI
ammonia storage tank and the likelihood of such damage occurring given a tank’s unique design, operating conditions, assessments per API RBI 581 and Fertilizers Your team’s expertise on this topic made
and operating and inspection histories. A damage mechanism review is incorporated into the RBI assessment and used Europe, as well as an FFS evaluation per API 579. completing this project very professional.
to provide guidance into ongoing damage management. Since ammonia SCC is a primary concern in ammonia storage I appreciate your insight and look forward to
tanks, our team will review potential sources of oxygen contamination and provide practical recommendations to reduce RESULT: working with you again.”
ammonia SCC susceptibility moving forward. The integrated approach allowed for a deeper
International Fertilizer Manufacturer,
understanding of the tank’s probability of failure, August 2023
Proactive Fitness-for-Service (FFS) Assessments which was incorporated into the RBI assessments
Conducting an FFS assessment alongside an RBI program will produce a complete understanding of all the fracture- and resulted in a recommended inspection
interval of 10 years from commissioning. The
related complexities in a refrigerated storage tank. Proactively using API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, Fitness-For-Service (API 579),
client was also provided with inspection strategy
may help further optimize your ammonia storage tank inspection program. During an FFS assessment, E²G’s mechanical
recommendations to focus inspection efforts on
engineers will conduct fracture-based calculations to determine acceptable crack-like flaw size, pinpoint critical areas to critical tank locations without the need for tank
focus inspection, and identify the likely failure mode. In addition to these results strengthening the RBI assessment, this entry. This strategy mitigates ammonia SCC while
multidisciplinary inspection planning approach will help owner-users target ammonia storage tank inspection activities also reducing inspection costs and operational
toward the most critical components and provide the pass/fail criteria for the eventual inspection(s) of these same areas. disruptions.

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