Professional Training and Consultation

API 653
PREPARATORY COURSE

Points To Recall
(

26'h upto 31 s ' August 2006

( AI-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

MR. HASAN ATIYAH HASAN ALGHAMDI

SABle
Saudi Arabia

8'1, Floor Al-S ubeaei Tower s. King Abdul aziz cor . Prince Falsal Rin Fahd Streets , AI- Khobar , Saudi Arabia
I

• TEL (966J 3 B8i 66 33 . FAX (966) 3 887 6 56 5 • [email protected] a www.qot ouc.com

----sc-- -
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Pro fessional Tra ining and Consultation

API 570 Preparatory
26 th upto 3J st August 20061 Al-Khobar, KSA~
Page lof4

DAilY POINTS TO RECAll (DAY 6)

1. GENERAL:

a. ASME Sec. V is NDT procedure/methods code and is

applicable only if it is referenced by the relevant
construction code . The extent of NDT and acceptance
standards is given in relevant construction code.

b. NDT equipment and their calibration shall be as per ASME

Sec. V.

c. Examiner is NDT person in employment of fabricator or

repair organization. Inspector means Authorized Inspector
who finally accepts/rejects NDT results.

2. FOR RT:

a. Satisfactory radiograph shall meet requirements of density and

IQI image (2T hole for hole type and designated wire for wire
type).

b. Backscatter:
Light image of B on dark background - Unacceptable

c. Density Limitations:

Min 1.8 for X Ray / 2.0 for G-Ray

Max 4.0 for X / GRay
Density Variation = -15 % to + 30%

d. Double wall viewing (DWDI) - Up to 3.5" outside diameter

e. Penetrameter Selection: Tab le T-276. Thickness includes

weld reinforcement. But not backing.

f. Penetrameter shall be normally placed on source side. If not

possible, it may be placed on film side with lead letter "F".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
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Professional Training and Consul tati on

API 570 Preparatory
26'" upto 31 st August 2006, AI- Khobar, KSA.
Page 2 of4
DAI LY POINTS TO RECAll (DAY 6)
3. FOR PT :
a. Control of Contaminants : Sulphur (for Nickel alloys)
shall not exceed 1% of residue. Chlorine + Fluorine (for
5.5. and Titanium) shall not exceed 1% of residue.
b. Temp . shall be between lOoC to 52°C, for standard
procedures.
c. Penetrants are colour (v isible) type and fluorescent
type. Each of these have:
• water washable
• post emulsifying
• solvent removable
Thus, total 6 categories of penetrant are available .
d. Emulsifier is applied after applying penetrant and
required dwell t ime is completed. Lipopholic emulsifier
is app lied without pre-rinsing. Hydropholic emulsifier is
applied after pre-rinsing.
e. For dwell time for penetrant and developer refer Table
T-672 .
f. After applying developer, interpretation shall be done
within 10 to 60 minutes.
g. All penetrant materials should be from same
manufacturer .

- --- ---- - - -- - - - - -- - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - --- - - - - - - - - - --------- - - - - - - - - - ------ --- - - - - - - - - - --------- - - - - - - - - -~

~ .. Itoor . At - Subeaer I ew ers. KlOg Abdu tazi z cor. Pnnce f<\Isal Bi n Fahd Street s. Ar-t choba r. Saudi Arabia
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Professio nal Trai ning and Con sultatio n

API 570 Preparatory
26 th upta 31 st August 2006, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 3 of4

DAi l Y POINTS TO RECAll (DAY 6)

4. FOR MT:
a. Prod Technique:
- Use direct (rectified) current for magnetization
- Prod spacing 3" to 8"
- Useful for surface and sub-surface defects.

b. Yoke Techn ique:

- Use D.C. or A.C. or permanent magnet
- Suitable for·surface defects only.

c. Calibration :
Equipment Ammeter to be calibrated once a year
comparing with standard Ammeter, ta ke 3
readings. Devia t ion shall not exceed ± 10% of full
scale.

d. Lifting Power of Yokes

- AC shall have lifting power of at least 4 .5 kg (10 Ibs.)
- DC shall have lifting power of at least 18.1 kg(40 Ibs.)

e. Min imum t wo exam inations on each area , t he second is

perpendicu lar t o first

s. SE-797 UT MEASUREMENT:

a. Pulse-echo method can be adopted up to 200°F

b. Apparatus: 3 types
- CRT read out
- CRT + direct read out
- Direct thickness read out

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Professio nal T raini ng and Consultat ion

API 570 Preparatory
26Ul upto 31 st August 2006, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 4 0(4

DAILY POINTS TO RECA ll (DAY 6)

c. Search Units: 3 types
- Straight beam contact type
- Delay line type (delay block to minimize dead zone)
- Dual element type. There are two crystals set at
a small range. Low roof angle used for higher
range and higher angle for low range .

d. High thickness measurement :

Use of multiple echoes is made. (i.e., for thickness between

50 mm and 60mm, use 10mm calibration block then 5t h
back echo will be 50 mm and 6t h will be 60mm . Set the 5th
echo to zero and 6t h at the screen range. The screen is
calibrated to 50-60mm.

e. While taking measurement for high temperature condition a

positive error of 1% per 55°C (100°F) results. Hence
t em perat ure correction is necessary.

f. CRT read ou t is recommended on corroded and rough surface .

- ------------------------- end ----- - - -- -- -- -- - - -~- - -- -- -

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------'
s·· I IVI_ll . Al- Subeaei Towers. King Abdulaziz cor. Prmce Fatsal Bin Fahd Street s, AI-K hoba r. Saudi Arabia
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Profe sstona l T rai n ing and Consu ltation
API 653 Pre para tory
26 t /l upto 31 st Aug ust 2006, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 1 of 3

DA ILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 5)

1. WPS gives parameters to be used in production job, and must be
with in ranges qualified by the PQR test.

2. Essential variables (EV), if changed require new procedure

qualification. Non-essentia l variables (NEV) may be changed
without new procedure qualification.

3. Bend test crac k shall not exceed 1/8" in any direction fo r face
bend, root bend or side bend .

4. Suppl em entary essen t ial variables (SEV) are considered as (EV)

only if there is impact strength requirement. Otherwise they are
"non-essential" variables.

5. Tensile test for procedure qualification is passed if failure is in :

a. Weld meta l at strength>= Base metal SMTS or
b. Base meta l at strength>= 95% of base metal SMTS.

5. P-numbers represent parent meta l groupings of similar

com posit ion and properties, l.e ., similar strength and ductility.
F-numbers give sim ila r usability aspects of fi ller material. A~
numbers give sim ilar chem. cornp . In " As welded" condition

7. For perfo rmance, 1G is flat, 2G is horizontal, 3G is vertical and

4G is overhead position . Pipe 5G qual ifies 1G, 3G and 4G, but
pipe 5G qual ifies all positions.

8. Welders who have not welded for more than 5 months on a

proc ess, th eir qualification wi ll exp ire for that process.

9. In Galvanic corrosion , current flows from anode to cathode,

t herefore anode will lose meta l and cathode will gain . If we make
t he "component to be protected " cathod ic with respect to
surrounding, it wil l not lose metal, thus will be protected.

~ I roo r ...! S;.J UO:':::1 'l o....-et s. Kmq Abdulaz tz cor. Pnnce Faisal Bill Fahd Streets . Al - Kho tzar, Saudi Arabia
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Professional T rain in g and Consultation

API 6 53 Preparatory
26 th upto 31 st August 2006, AI· Khobar, KSA.
Page 2 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 5)

10 . As soil resistivity goes up, soil is less corrosive and vice-versa. (Soil
resist iv it y < 500 ohm-em is highly corrosive, > 10,000 ohm-em, is
least corrosive.) Ref. Table l-API 651

11. Cathodic pro tection methods: Galvanic and im pressed current

Galvanic current: Easy to install, cheap, easy to maintain, but

lim ited use. (Not suitable for large structure)

I mp ressed curre nt: Expensive, but more effective, suitable for large
structures. Requires cons tant monitoring .

12. CP system survey intervals:

Impressed current:

Rectifier (power source) - Max. 2 months

Oth er components - Max. 1 year

Galva nic System (sacrific ial anode system) : Annually

CP survey reco rds shou ld be maintained normally for 5 years.

13. There are two main classes of lin ings :

a. Equal to or less than 20 mils (thin film linings) and

b. Greater than 20 mils (thick film linings).

14. The principal advantages for th in-film lining are lower cost and ease
of application compa red to t hick-fi lm lining systems.

15. Thick-film, rei nforced lining are less susceptible to mechanical

damage than thi n film linings. They can pro v ide sufficient strength
to bridge over small perforations of the supporting steel bottom
that ma y develop due to external corrosion.

8'" t toor. •\ I - StJ l) ':i1 P I Towe rs, King Abdu ta zrz cor. Pnnce Faisal Bin Fahd Street s, AI- KholJar Saudi Arabia
I

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Profession al Training and Consultation

API 6 53 Pre parat ory
26 th upto st" August 2006, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 3 of 3

DAILY POINT S T O RECALL (DAY 5)

16. Temperatu re during blast cleaning and applying the linings shall be
3°C (5°F) above the dew-point temperature and relative humidity
not to exceed 80%.

------------------------ End ------------------------

8'" Flo or. Al- Sub eaer Tow ers. King Abdul azrz cor . Prin ce Faisal But Fahd Street s, Al-Khobar , Sau di Arabi a
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Professional T raining and Consul tation

API 653 Preparatory
26 fh upto 31 st August 2006, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 1 of 3

DAILY POINT S TO RECA LL (DAY 4)

1. For tan k relocation, the bottom, shell or roof may be cut in any size
from exist ing tank so that the pieces are suitable for transportation.

2. For dismantling the tank the bottom may be cut 12" away from
shell to bottom weld, if entire bottom plates are to be used.

3. Alternatively cut the bottom and shell at 1/2" from toe of shell to
bottom weld and discard the weld portion.

4. For rest of the bottom, de-seaming of welds or cutting 2" away

from weld may be done.

5. Shell plates :5 '12" thk may be dismantled by cutting through weld

without removing HAZ. If shell plate thk > V2", discard welds +
HAZ.

6. Alternatively, shell plates may be cut 6" away from ex isting welds.

7. NOT for Repair / Alteration:

PT / MT : For all fillet welds and fill-up (weld-build up) during repair
or alteration

8. Radiography : ,
a. New welds during repair or alteration between the plates such
as:

( i) New t o new plates - same as API 650

( ii) New to old plates or old to old plates. Additional
examination:
1 spot for each 50 feet for horizontal weld
1 spot on each vertical weld
1 radiograph on each T-joint

b. Repair of old butt-welds - entire length of repair

.,,:
r;~~~.: 8 ' f loor, :\! - S,Il.). (·ael Tower s. King Abdula ztz cor. Pl ltlce r a.sat Bin Fahd Str eet s, AI- K11 0b M , Saudi Arabia
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Pro fession al Traini ng and Con sultati on

API 653 Preparatory
26 th upto 31 st August 2006, AI- Khobar, KSA.
Page 3 of 3

DAILY POINTS T O RECALL (DAY 4)

16. Ultrasonic thickness measurements as a minimum must be

made on at least one TML on each shell course. TMLs also shall
be established on top uncoated portion of shell for floating roof
tanks.

17 . For internal inspection of tan k bottoms, a preliminary random

t hickness scanning survey is carried out in X pattern across the
tank and along the circumference. If significant corrosion is
detected, entire bottom sha ll be scan ned .

18. For internal inspecti on of shell, the major areas of focus shall be
the vapour space, liquid -vapour interface and the bottom area.

19. Leak tes t ing of shell may be done hyd rostatically or by using
diesel t est or by vacuum box test.
_....
- .;~~

'('>' 20. Leak test ing of bottom may be done by :

a. Using vacuum box test

b. By construction of clay dam around tan k and fill ing under
side by wat er (observe seepage inside)
c. App ly seal to tank outer perimeter and introduce
compressed air belo w tank bottom, chec k welds by
applying soap solution or by observing bubbles by filling
i
inside of tan k by water for 6" height
d. By injecting inert gas with tracer gas under the tank and
us ing "sn iffers" inside to detect leak age

21. Hammer t est is never carried out on cast iron parts.

22. Corrosion rate curves are helpful as an im portant record of

corrosion behavior of tank in past and anticipated remaining life
in future.

-------- ------------ End -------------------

S~, fl oor , ~\ I - S IJlJ r:> il C I Tower s. King Abdu laz tz cor . Prin ce rnua! BIl1 Fah d Street s, Al -Kh o bar, Saud i Arab ia
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e~ Professional Traini ng and Con sult ation

API 653 Preparatory

26 th upto 31 st upto August 2006, AI·Khobar, KSA.
Page 1 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL ( DAY 3)

1. Inspection Frequency (External) shall not exceed following

a. Routine-in Service inspection every one month.

b. External inspect ion (visual by authorized inspector): Lower of
one-fourth remaining life (RCA/4N) or 5 years.
c. Ultrasonic thickness inspection (e xternal) of shell.
(i) when corrosion rate is not known - maximum 5
yea rs
(ii) w hen corrosion rate is known - lower of :
- half remaining life (RCA/2N) or
- 15 years

2. Inspection Frequency (Internal) shall not exceed:

a. Based on MRT calculations, as per " Or" calculated but not

exceeding 20 years

b. If corrosion rates are not know n : Actual bottom thickness

sha ll be determ ined not later than 10 years.

3. Alternative to point no. 2 above for int ernal inspect ion int erv al may
be altered based on RBI. The RBI basis shall be reviewed at
intervals not exceed ing 10 years by authorized inspector and tank
enginee r .

4. If there is access to tank bottom to determine bottom thickness,

externally, such inspect ion may be used in lieu of int ernal
inspection. (Point No.2)

5. I nspect ion reco rds include :

a. Permanent Records (Tank construction data)

b. Inspection history (Progressive Records)
c. Repair/ alteration history (Repair/alteration records)

S" nco.. ~ 1 · S:J u l:' J. ,;, j Towe rs. Ki nq Ab du taz tz CO f . Prin ce Faisal Bill Fahd Streets, Al- Khub ar, Saud i Arab ia
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Prof essional T rainin g and Consultation

API 653 Preparatory
26 th upto 31 s t August 2006, AI·Khobar, KSA.
Page 2 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 4)

9. A full hydrostatic test (held for 24 hours) is required on major

repairs and major alterations which include:

a. Installation of nozzles larger than NPS 12 below liquid level

b. Repair / Replacement of more than 12" length of vertical weld
in shell or rad ial weld in anular plates
c. Any repair / replacement on shell to bottom weld
d. Jacking of tank shell

Exemption for hydrotest is possible only if owner / operator and the

tank engineer give the exemption in writing .

10 . Hydrostatic test of reconstructed tank is compulsory.

11. Out of plumbness for reconstructed tank is 1/100 of the tank height
: ..., ". subject to maximum 5 inches.
'-:::~:-
12 . For tank settlement survey, the number of elevation measurement
points for tank diameter D ft . is given by: N=D/l0, but minimum 8.

13 . Permitted internal settlement (for bulge or depression) is given by:

B = 0.37 R
Where B = Max. he ight of bulge or depth of settlement (inches)
And R = Radius of largest inscribing circle (feet)

14. Based on Fig. B-l0, and B-11 ma ximum allowable edge settlement
is worked out depending on settled area being approximately
parallel or perpendicular to shell.

15. As per API RP 575, the grounding connection inspect ion shall be
included is external visual inspect ion. Total resistance from tank
to soil should not exceed approximately 25 ohms.

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'.' ,, '. ~. n ow , i\I -') U:JL' a<:1Towc rs. King Abdut aztz cor. PI'I IlCC Fi;us al Bill Fah d Street s, At- Khobar , Saudi Arabia
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Professio nal Train ing and Con sultation

API 653 Preparatory

26th upto 31 st upto August 2006, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 2 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 3)

6. New materials for repair/alteration/ reconstruction: All plate

material used for shell and the bottom plates welded to shell shall
be ident ified.

7. Thickness of shell plates to be used for checking the tank design

shall be within 180 days before relocation.

8. The strength values Sd and St for reconstructed tank shall be on the

basis of allowable stress as per table 3-2 of API 650 .

9. The replacement shell plate thickness ~ th ickness of the shell

course where rep lacement is proposed and dimensions and spacing
shall be as per Figure 9-1.

s-:;/;o. 10. Lap- welded patch plates can be used only if:
'\', ' .""
l~t~';f

a. owner specifies
b. only on shell plates S; '/2 inch
c. must be within spacing requ irements as per Fig. 9-1
d. ma ximum size 48" vertical x 72 horizontal and minimum
dimension 4"
e. areas on wh ich lap patch is to be put shall be UT checked
f . lap on lap is not permitted

11. All shell plate defects like the cracks, gauges, tears, Widely
scattered .pits and corroded areas shall be evaluated case by case
as per chapter 4 of API 653 .

12. New reinforcements can be added to existing unreinforced nozzles

as per Fig. 9-3a and 9-3b.

13. Repairs within critical zone of the bottom require additional

precautions like "Tombstone" type patch and additional PT or MPI
testing after v isual examination of patch welds, and weld shall be
made by minimum 2 passes .
.",' .
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S,.. Floor. ~I Subeaer Towers. King Abdulazrz cor. Prince Faisal Btn Fahd Stre ets. A1 -Kh oba r. Saud i Arabia
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~~J:. Professio nal Trai ni ng and Co nsul t at ion

API 653 Preparatory

26"' upto 31" upto August 2006, Af-Khobar, KSA.
Page 3 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL ( DAY 3)

14 . If im pact test was not done on original tank material, the hot taps
shall be limited to NPS 4 (max) .

15. Toe-to-toe min imum spacing between hot tap and adjacent nozzle
shall be = .J RT where R= tank shell radius in inches T is shell plate
thickness in inches.

-- --------- - ------ - ------------ --------- End - ------------ -----------------------

S" noor. .3..1 Suue ae uIowe rs. Ktnq Abd uta ztz COf . Pnnce F di ~ al Bm Fahd Stree ts . AI-Khobar. Saudi Arabia
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Prof essio nal Traini ng and Con sultation

API 653 Pr eparat ory
26 th upto sr' August 2006, AI- Khobar, KSA
Page. J of3

DAILY POINTS T O RECALL (DAY 2)

1. Accord ing to API 653, " Repairs" means any work necessary to
maintain or restore the safe operating conditions (as per original
design). "Alteration" means any work that changes the dimensions
and/or configuration of ta nk (changing origina l safe operating
condit ions) .

2. "Aut horized insp ectio n agency" is anyone of the following (who

employ API tank inspector) :

a. An owner operator
b. Subcontractor to owner operator
c. Inspection organization of jurisdiction
d. Inspection organization of insurance company

3. " Break-over point" means area of tank bottom where settlement

beg ins.

4. "Chan ge of se rvice" means change in flu id stored and having

different specific gravity or corrosivity or different temperature or
pressu re .

5'. "Cr itical zone" means portion of tank bottom within 3 inches of
shell inside and measured radically i n wa rd~.

6. " Re pa ir o rga n iza t ion" means any of the foll owing who carries out
repai rs / alterat ions according to API 653.

a. Owner-user
b. Subcontractor to owner-user
c. Subco ntractor authorized or approved by jurisdiction

7. Tank roof plates which are so corroded that there are through holes
or the average thickness is less t han 0.09 inc h in any 100 sq. inch
area, then plates must be repaired or rep laced , l.e., tank cannot be
permitted t o continue operat ion .

;:-!r:..}...
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--. 8" Ftoor. Al - Suu eaet Tow ers, King Abdulaztz cor. Prince r arsat Btn Fahd Stree ts , Al-K hc bar , Saudi Arabia
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Prof essional Training and Consultation
API 653 Prepa ratory
26 th upto sr' August 20 06, AI- Khobar, KSA
Pa ge 2 of 3

DAILY POINTS T O RECA LL (DAY 2)

8. If tank service is to be changed resu lting in inc rease of internal
pressure or operation above 90 0 C (200 0 F), then requirements of
API Appendix .F and M must be fulfilled respectively. If service
changes lower temperature then material must be suitable as per
impact test requ irements of API 550.

9. Tan k shell evaluation: 5 step method.

a. Det erm ine the min imum thickness (t2) at corroded area.

b. Calcula te vertical critical length L for tank diameter D (in ft.)

L=3 .7 ~Dt, or 40" whichever is less

c. Determine t 1 wh ich is minimum of tav (tav is average thickness

of at least 5 readings over wea kest L)
d. Determine t min by form ula, tmin = 2.5 DHG for local area .
. SE
D(H -1)G
Or tmin = 2.5 for full shell course.
SE
Take '5' from Table 4-1 of API 553 code.

e. ( i) Then t 1 ~ tm i n + (CR x lntervalj.i and

(Ii ) t 2 ~ 0 . 5 x t min + (CR x interval) if condi tions (i) and (ii)

are okay - accept. If no repair, or replace or reduce
the liqu id height t ill repa ir/ replacement can be done.

10 , Widely scattered pits can be ignored if:

a. No pit depth results in shell t hick ness being less than half the
required th k - excluding C. A.
D. Sum of pit dimensions alo ng any vertical line does not exceed
2 inches in a to ta l lengt h of 8".

S'' rIO ,)I . ,\ I- Subt'J(>1Tower's, King Abdulaz tz cor. Pri nce Fai sal Bin Fal1 d Stre et s, Ai -Kh obar , Saudi Arab ia
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Professi onal Training and Consultation

API 653 Preparatory
26 ti1 upto sr' Aug ust 2006/ AI-Khobar, KSA
Page .'] of 3

DAILY POINT S TO RECALL (DAY 2)

11. Minimum thickness for bottom plates is given by :

a. Anular plates (product sp. gr. < 1.0): Table 4-3 (API 653)
b. (Product sp. gr. ;:: 1.0): Table 3-1 (API 650)
c. Other bottom plates : Table 6-1 (API 653)

12. Min. thickness in " cr iti cal zone" is smaller of:(but not less than 0.1 ")
a. Half of orig inal bottom t hickness in critical zone, and
b. Half of t m in for first shell course.

13. Tanks designed prior to API 650 (7 th edition, 1980) may be

assessed for brittle failure as per Fig. 5.2.

14. Tan ks are not likely to fail in brittle failure if th ickness is not more
than '12" or shell temperature is not less than 60 0 F or stress level is
less t han 7,000 psi.

- -- - ------------------------------------ End --------- ---------------------------

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Profes si onal T rai ni ng and Con sultation
API 653 Preparatory
26 t h upto 31 st August, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 1 of 3

DAI LY POI NTS TO RECALL

(DAY 1 )

1. API 653 is code used for inspection, repair, and alteration for the
aboveground storage tanks w hich are placed in Service. API
650 is the basic construction code for making New Tan ks.

2. API 650 and API 653 are used for aboveground storage tanks at
atmospheric pressure (maximum 2.5 psi above atmospheric) and
temperatures not exceeding 90°e.

3. Design metal temperature of tank is assumed to be 80C (150 F)

above the lowest one day mean temperature of tank site.

4. Where necessary, as per Fig. 2-1 (API 650), the tank materials
shall be checked against brittle fai lure by conducting impact
testing. Acceptance criteria shall be as per Table 2-4.

5. If average value of 3 specimen is < specified average value

(SAV) - reject. But if average value of 3 specimen <': SAVand,

a. Value of one specimen is < SAV but <': 2/3 SAV - accept
b. Value of one specimen is < SAV and also < 2/3 SAV - retest
c. Value of two specimen is < SAV - retest

On retest for band c all three specimen <': SAV - accept

6. The required thickness of shell plates for tanks up to 60 m (200

feet) diameter shall be greater of l:ci or tt:

4.9D(H -0.3)G +CA and t 4.9D(H -0.3) (metric)

t. Sd ' St

_ 2.6D (H -l)G CAd _ 2.6D( H -1)

t ,j - Sd + . . all t, - St (US units)
::::: :.
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Proressional Tr aining and Consultation

API 653 Preparatory
26 th upto 31 st Augu st, AI-Khobar, KSA.
Page 2 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL

(DAY 1)

Where:

D = Tank Diameter m (ft)

H = Height shell course from top liquid level in m (ft)
G = Specific Gravity of liquid to be stored
Sd and St = Allowable stress for design and
hydrostatic conditions in Mpa (psi)
CA. = Corrosion allowance in mm ( in)

7. Shell thickness calculated above (point no. 6) shall not be less

than that required by Diameter - Thickness table in API 650.
(3.6.1.1)

8. Values of Sd and St are taken from Table 3-2 of API 650. For
unlisted material:
Sd = Lower of 2/3 (Y.S) or 2/5 (T.S.) and
St = Lower of 3f4 (Y.S) or 3/7 (T.S .)

9. Minimum nominal thickness excluding corrosion allowance for

roof plate shall be 5 mm (3/16") and for bottom plate shall be 6
mm (1/4").

10. All nozzles, manholes and other open ings shall 'have dimensions
thickness, reinfo rcement plates and weld sizes as per tables 3-6
and 3-7 of API 650.

11. Radiography inspection is required for all shell butt welds and
annular plate butt welds and insert plates for manhole and
nozzles.

12. For shell plat es the number of rad iographs requ ired depend on
whether the plate thickness is up to 10 mm (3/8), or above 10
mm to 25 mm (3/8" - 1") or above 25 mm (1"). (Fig . 6-1 of API
650) .

:'" i- !lIO: . " J- ~ ( l t ' c oe l I ewers . King Abuutaztz cor . Purtee Faisal Bin Fahd Streets. At-Khobar . Saudi Arabia
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Profe ssiona l Trai ning and Consu ltation

API 653 Preparatory
26 th upto 31 st August, AI· Khobar, KSA.
Page 3 of 3

DAILY POINTS TO RECALL

(DAY 1)

13. Radiography is also required on:

(i) 100% length of butt welds joining insert
plate to shell, and
(Ii) Annular bottom plate radial joints (1 spot on
10% of radial welds if double butt welded
and 1 spot on 50% of radial welds if single
welded with backing strip.)

--- -------------- end -----------------

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