COURSE OVERVIEW:

The floor of an aboveground storage tank is the most vulnerable component due to its constant contact with both the stored product and the underlying soil. This course provides a technical deep dive into the specialized inspection techniques and engineering evaluations required to ensure tank floor integrity. Understanding the mechanisms of underside corrosion and the structural implications of soil movement is essential for preventing environmental leaks and catastrophic floor ruptures.

The scope of this training involves the application of Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) and Ultrasonic Testing (UT) for the detection of soil-side and product-side pitting. Participants will learn how to interpret complex inspection data and differentiate between localized thinning and general corrosion. We will also explore the critical procedures for measuring and analyzing tank settlement, including uniform, planar, and out-of-plane settlement, which can lead to shell buckling or floor-to-shell weld failure.

Coverage includes the repair strategies for thinning floors, the installation of leak detection systems, and the evaluation of cathodic protection effectiveness. The curriculum focuses on the decision-making process for determining when a floor requires a partial patch, a full relining, or a total replacement. By the end of this course, delegates will be proficient in managing tank floor assets in accordance with API 653 and other international standards.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Identify the primary corrosion mechanisms affecting the top and bottom of tank floors.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) for floor scanning.
• Interpret MFL signals and verify results using manual Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
• Perform comprehensive tank settlement surveys using digital levels and laser tools.
• Analyze settlement data to determine if it exceeds API 653 allowable limits.
• Differentiate between uniform settlement, tilt, and localized edge settlement.
• Calculate the remaining life of tank floor plates based on measured corrosion rates.
• Design effective repair plans using lap-welded patches and insert plates.
• Assess the integrity of the critical zone (floor-to-shell junction).
• Evaluate the impact of floor coatings and linings on inspection intervals.
• Manage the data collection process for internal and external tank inspections.
• Supervise the quality control of floor repairs and welding activities.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This course is intended for Tank Inspectors, Asset Integrity Engineers, Maintenance Supervisors, and Quality Control Technicians involved in storage tank management.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximize the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.