Multifactorial Analysis of Defects in Oil Storage Tanks: Implications for Structural Performance and Safety
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This article investigates the combined effects of different common defects on the structural integrity and operational and environmental safety in the operation of an existing Light Cycle Oil (LCO) storage tank. This study correlates all the tank defects (like corrosion and local plate thinning, deformations, and local stress concentrators) against the loads and their combinations that occur during the tank’s lifetime. All the information gathered by various inspection techniques is used together to create a digital twin of the equipment that will be further analyzed by Finite Element Analysis. A tank condition assessment is a complex activity, and it is based on the experience of the engineer performing it. Since there are multiple methods for performing a comprehensive analysis, starting from the basic visual inspection (which is the most important) and some measurements followed by analytical calculations, up to full wall thickness measurements, 3D scan of deformations and FEA analysis of the tank digital twin, it depends on the engineer performing the evaluation to chose the best method for each particular case from technical and economical point of views. The goal of this article is to demonstrate that analytical and FEA methods have the same result and also to establish a well-determined standard calculation model for future applications.
Source: Processes
DOI: 10.3390/pr13082575
Authors: Alexandru-Adrian Stoicescu, Razvan George Ripeanu, Maria Tănase, Costin Nicolae Ilincă, Liviu Toader
Institution: Petroleum & Gas University of Ploieşti
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4413416047