Post on 17-Mar-2020
Ms. Danae Smith, NAVSUP Energy Ms. Diane Parks, Defense Logistics Agency Energy
DoD Field Constructed Underground Storage Tanks
Agenda
• Tank Construction • Site Operations & Impacts • Inspections • Leak Detection Program • Testing Methods • Testing Considerations &
Challenges • Regulatory Change
Consequences
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Tank Construction
• ~330 Tanks* in DoD** • Scale
– 25K-12.6M gallons • Construction
– WWII Era – National security
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*Tanks: Field Constructed Underground Storage Tanks **U.S. & U.S. Territories
< 1940: Digging the lower access tunnels and installing rail lines for debris removal.
> 1943: Slowly filled tanks with water to test for leaks; re-welded if leaks were found.
Tank Construction
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On Site Impacts
• Operator Training – A, B, & C
• Walkthroughs – Monthly/Weekly – Tanks/Pipeline – Leak Detection
• Increased Hours
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CA DUSTO Checklist
Inspections
• Documentation/Records • Top of the tank, sumps, possibly ports
– Will not see inside the tank • Want to know more?
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Red Hill Construction Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIz8IstwnWU
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Leak Detection Program
• Established in 2006 • What and Why We Test:
– Leak Testing of Field Constructed USTs to comply with state and federal regulations
– Best Management Practice testing • Leak Detection Testing of Field Constructed
USTs of all sizes • Performed thousands of tests since 2006
• National Work Group on Leak Detection Evaluations listed methods – Automatic Tank Gauging – Point in time
• Minimum Detectable Leak Rates
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Testing Methods
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Testing Considerations & Challenges
• Coordination with mission
• System down time several days
• Set up and isolation
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Testing Considerations & Challenges
• Tank isolation – Big valves have big challenges
• Skilleting/blind flanging • System siphoning effects • Pressurization of in service piping • No product movement • Point in time method sensitivity
– Based on tank surface area – Lower leak rate means longer test period
• Aborting tests • Leak location
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Regulator Change Consequences
• Increased testing frequency • Longer testing events • Tester availability • Increased fuel facility shutdown • Budget considerations