API 652/653 – How it Apply’ s to Internal

Tank Linings
Presented By: Darryl Corbin
Nov. 18, 2016
 Agenda
• Introduction
• Who is API and how can it influence a lining selection
• What is AP I652 and how does it apply to linings
• Tank Bottom Lining Selection (New & Existing)
• Advantages and Disadvantages of these lining systems
• Summary of API 652
• What is API 653 and how does it apply to linings
• Inspection Intervals
• Summary
 Saving $$$ to Customer – Inspection interval

The longer interval between lining and planned inspection the

better for the owner
• Tank is in use

There are no additional costs

• Emptying
• Cleaning
• Inspection
• Repair

Safety – less time required in confined spaces in contact with

hazardous chemicals

Environment - less hazardous waste

 Who is API?

American Petroleum Institute

(API guidance)
 Who is API?

- National Trade Association representing the America’s Oil and

Natural Gas Industry.
- API has over 400 corporate members.
- API is involved in Advocacy to governments, negotiating with
regulatory agencies.
- API is also involved in Research and statistics, Certifications,
Education and what we are going to discuss to day Standards.

- There are two API standards that are commonly used in the Oil
and Gas Industry for above ground storage tanks and they are
API 652 and API 653.
 American Petroleum Institute (API)
• API gives guidance on protection of Above Ground Steel
Storage Tanks Bottoms utilizing the following standards:
• API 652 – Linings of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank
Bottoms: gives guidance on the selection and use of linings for
protection of Aboveground storage tanks. Revised in 2014 and a
ERRATA in Aug. 2016.
• API 653 – Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and
Reconstruction: gives guidance on inspection intervals and how
linings can assist. Newest version November 2014.
• One other that is mentioned some times is: API 651 gives
guidance on use of Cathodic protection. But we will not discuss
this standard other than reference it in terms of how it effects
the inspection interval.
 API 652 Overview

API 652 (September 2014) is a “Recommended Practice” and not a “Standard”

and therefore compliance with this document is voluntary. However, parts of
API 652 are referenced within API 653, and therefore when an owner/operator
is complying with these sections of API 653, the compliance with the
referenced section of API 652 becomes mandatory.

Section 5 – Determination of the need for Tank Bottom Linings and Section 6 –
Tank Bottom Lining Selection. In Section 5 of the specification discusses the
need for lining above ground carbon steel tanks based on the following
considerations:

• Corrosion Prevention; Tank Design; Tank History; Environmental

Considerations; Reduce Time and Effort for Future Tank Cleaning;
Federal, State and Local Regulations; Product Quality and Considerations
under API 653 with respect to next inspection interval.
 API 652 Overview
• It defines or outlines the different options the customer has in
selecting an internal tank lining. It also goes on to say tank
bottom linings can generally be divided into two classes; Thin
Films (< 20 mils/ <500 microns DFT) and thick films (> 20 mils
DFT/ > 500 microns DFT).
• Thick films is also divided up into two groups; Thick
Film, Thick Film fibre re-enforced
 
• In Section 6 it states that thin films may be applied to new
tanks and to bottoms of storage tanks that have experienced
minimal corrosion. However the standard does not define
what minimum corrosion is but we would say general
corrosion with no pitting.
API - Lining Selection Based on Steel Condition
 API 652 – Overview of Thin Films
• States that most systems or linings are based on epoxy or epoxy-copolymer
resins, and goes on to state that selection of a lining should be based on
resistance to water and NACE No. 11/SSPC-PA8 should be considered should be
considered when design and installation of a thin-film is used.

• Advantages of Thin- Film Linings;

 
• Initial cost is typically less than thick film reinforced linings
• Most are easier to apply than thick-film reinforced linings
• Experience has shown that if properly selected and applied can have a life
expectance greater than 20 years.
• Most have good flexibility
• Generally more accurate magnetic flux leakage (MFL) Floor Scans
• Easier to remove at end of life.
 API 652 – Overview of Thin Films
Disadvantages of Thin-films:
 
• API 653 allows a minimum of 0.053 in (1.3mm) remaining bottom plate
thickness at the next internal inspection if a thick-film is used. However, if a
thin film is used than API 653 will only allow 0.100 in (2.5 mm) at the end of
the next interval because thin films don’t offer hole bridging capabilities.
• Thin-films linings are more susceptible to mechanical damage.
• Hard to cover or coat rough welds and weld spatter
• Most thin-films require multiple coats
• Most thing film linings are solvent-borne therefore VOC regulations can affect
selection.
• Most have longer recoat and cure times than thick film
 
Also noted in section 6.2; Inorganic zinc (zinc silicates) are used as tank linings but
are not considered thin-film linings for the purpose of API 653 calculations.
 Edge Retention of Thick and Thin Films

Thick Film

Thick film Coverage over Sharp

edges like Welds, Flange faces, etc.
VS
Thin Film Coverage over the same
sharp edges

Thin Film
 API 652 – Overview of Thick Films
(un-reinforced)
• States: Thick-film, unreinforced linings may be used for both new
construction and corroded or existing/old storage tanks. It also
specifically states that only fibber-reinforced lining are well proven to
have hole-bridging capability. Important; There is also no testing
procedure within API to test the hole-bridging capabilities.

• Advantages of Thick- Film Linings;

• Can be applied as thick as 100 mils/2500 microns DFT in a single
coat
• Better coverage over rough welds or surfaces
• No overlap or intercoat contaminating, blushing issues if applied
in a single coat.
• High volume solid coatings have better edge retention then thin
films due to reduced material shrinkage.
• Typically thick film coatings cure faster at ambient temperatures,
some in as little as 24 hours.
• Fewer holiday to repair
 API 652 – Overview of Thick Films
(un-reinforced)
Advantages of Thick- Film Linings;
• Promotes as faster return to service
• Have a long term service record, can be over 20+ years resulting
in a lower life-cycle cost.

Disadvantages:
 
• Most require high pressure airless pumps or even heated plural
component equipment.
• Hard to coat complex internals
• Contractors have to a higher level of experience
• MFL (magnetic Flux Leakage) Inspection technique maybe
limited on thick films applied at very high film thickness.
• Some thick-film coatings may crack due to flexure of the plates.
 Pit Filling Ability of Thick Films
High Solids, Solvent Free

Pitting Types

Open

Omega
 API 652 – Overview of Thick Films
(Reinforced –Laminate & Chop Glass & Fiber)

API 652 states there are only two systems specified to be used to restore
heavily corroded or pitted tanks.
• Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) laminates – Hand Layup & Chop Glass
(1.5 oz. mat or chopped glass); Typically Vinyl Ester, Polyester, Epoxy resins.
• Reinforced Thick-film linings (Errate1 Aug. 2016). Typically Epoxy, Vinyl
Ester

Advantages Reinforced Systems:

• Excellent coverage of welds and seams
• Excellent pitting coverage, maximum allowable before floor replacement
• Hole bridging capabilities (laminates up to 8 inches)
• Excellent Impact and Abrasion resistance
• Reinforced Epoxy’s have reduced labour costs and are quicker than FRP
laminate systems
 API 652 – Overview of Thick Films
(Reinforced –Laminate & Chop Glass & Fiber)

Disadvantages Reinforced Systems:

• Special equipment, experienced contractors
• multiple layers and the importance of proper fibber to resin
proportions
• FRP systems take longer to install
• MFL Inspection techniques maybe limited on films applied at
very high DFT
Cross Section View of a FRP laminate system
 652 Summary
• API 652 is a Recommend practice and not a regulated standard unless API
653 is used.
• API outlines the different types of linings that can be offered:
• Thin Film
• Thick Film Un-Reinforced
• Thick Film Reinforced

• API does not give any standard for assessing the hole – bridging
capabilities of a coating.

• API can be used for both New Construction as well as M&R

• API 652 does NOT tell you which product or lining is suited for the
environment.
 API 653
API 653 – (November 2014) is the API Standard for Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration
and Reconstruction. It provides a minimum standard for maintaining the integrity of
tanks after they have been placed in service. It does not cover the design and
construction of new tanks – this is covered by API Standard 650. API 653 covers or
address the maintenance inspection or interval in which a tank must be.
 
API 653 requires an owner/operator to monitor the corrosion rate of the tank bottom
plate. Once a corrosion rate of the bottom plate is established, the owner/operator may
use the remaining steel thickness, together with the known corrosion rate to establish
the next interval when they must conduct a tank bottom inspection. The next inspection
interval is based on the calculated minimum bottom (steel) thickness at next inspection.

Who uses API 653?

 

Compliance with the standard is the responsibility of the owner/operator of the storage
tank. This is an industry standard. It has, however, been adopted by a number of Federal
and State regulatory agencies as the basis for Federal and/or State Regulations governing
the operation of storage tanks. Compliance with the standard may also be a requirement
of Insurance Companies that write policies for aboveground storage tanks.
 API 653 Inspection Frequency
Considerations
Several factors must be considered to determined inspection interval:
• Nature of the product stored, Visual Maintenance Checks, Corrosion Allowance and
rates, Corrosion prevention systems, materials of construction, location of tank (isolated
high risk areas), leak detection systems etc.

• Interval between inspections of the tank (both internal & external) to be determined by
its service history unless special reasons. Inspections can be scheduled with the
frequency commensurate with the corrosion rate of the tank.

• Jurisdictional regulations, in some cases control the frequency and interval of the
inspections.

• The minimum thickness of a steel tank bottom should be determined accordance to API
653. An internal tank bottom lining may be deemed necessary if corrosion is expected
to proceed so that the steel thickness may reach this minimum thickness, generally
0.100 inches (2.5mm), prior to next scheduled inspections. If you use a RBI assessment
per API 653 to determine if a floor needs to be lined, repaired, replaced, or the interval
to the next internal inspection shortened.
 API 653 Bottom Plate Minimum Thickness;
(Related to next inspection)

Minimum Bottom Tank Bottom/ Foundation Design

Plate Thickness at
Next Inspection

0.10 Tank bottom/foundation design with no means for detection

and containment of bottom leak
0.05 Tank Bottom/foundation design with means for provide
detection and containment of a bottom leak
0.05 Applied tank bottom reinforced lining, >0.05 in thick, in
accordance with API 652
 API 653 Next Inspection Interval
Calculations
Tank Safeguard Incremental Addition to
Inspection Interval
OR Fiberglass- reinforced (FRP) lining of the product side of 5 years
the tank as per API 652
OR Reinforced lining of the product side of the tank as per API 5 years
652
OR Installation of a Thin Film lining of the product side of the 2 years
tank as per API 652
Plus Cathodic Protection of the soil side of the tank bottom 5 years
installed as per API 651
Plus Release Prevention barrier installed as per API Std 650 10 years
OR Bottom constructed from Stainless steel material that 10 years
meets requirements of API 650
 API 653 Summery regarding - Lining
selection and Inspection Intervals
• API 653 is the specification used by end users to determine the
current condition of the tank via NDT testing.

• API 653 is also used determine or predict corrosion rates to

help select which coating is suitable for desired inspection
interval

• API 653 give the adjusted inspection intervals based on Tank

Safeguards

• API 653 does NOT tell you which product or lining is suited for
the environment.
 API 653 – Inspection Summary
• If a functioning lining scheme and a method of preventing
under plate corrosion (e.g. cathodic protection) are in place,
API 653 allows tank owners to assume zero corrosion rate

• No simple method of fully assessing the condition of the floor

and liner short of emptying, cleaning, and inspecting the tank

• Non destructive testing possible through linings up to 118

mils/2950 microns

• If the corrosion rate is known internally and externally

• INSPECTION INTERVALS CAN BE SET TO A MAXIMUM ACCORDING TO A

RISK BASED ASSESSMENT
 Summary of API 652/653 together
• There are a lot of things that are not covered by API 652/653
when it comes to coating suitability, therefore it is very
important that the end user maintain a good relationship with
not only the contractor but also the coating manufacturer to
assure that the right coating is selected for the job.

• The next few slides will show some other considerations that
need to be looked at outside API 652/653.

• Inspection intervals can be set at the maximum 20 years with a

simple coating selection process.

• Therefore there are lot of other things to consider outside API

652/653 when selecting a lining. For Example:
 Product Chemistry General Comparison
of Chemical Resistance vs. Product Type

Chemical
Resistance
Novolac Vinyl Ester
$
Polycyclamine cured
Vinyl Ester Novolac Epoxy

Novolac Epoxy

Phenolic Epoxy

Epoxy

Technology
 Product Chemistry General Comparison
of Chemical Resistance vs. Product Type

Gasoline
Changes Gasoline with Novolac
Methanol Epoxy
ELS
FU
O
BI Gasoline with Phenolic
Ethanol Epoxy

Gasoline with
MTBE
Methyl tert-butyl ether

Standard
Leaded Epoxy
Gasoline

Technology
Crude Oil Storage Temperatures

100ºC

Heavy
80ºC
crude

60ºC

Light
crude
40ºC

Epoxy Phenolic Novolac Epoxy Phenolic Novolac

epoxy epoxy epoxy epoxy

Thin film systems Thick film systems

 API 652/653 summery

API 652
Lining Thin Film Thick Film
Category Un-Reinforced Reinforced FRP
Chop/Laminate

Min Steel 0.1 inches 0.1 inches 0.05 inches 0.05 inches
Thickness next (2.54 mm) (2.54 mm) (1.27 mm) (1.27 mm)
Interval
New New construction New construction New construction
API Point of Use Construction & M&R with light & M&R with light & M&R with light
with some M&R to Medium to Heavy pitting to Heavy pitting
with light pitting pitting
Incremental 2 years 2 years 5 years 5 years
Inspection
Interval Influence
Any Questions?