Oil and Gas Production: NH3 tank monitoring

Case study: SOFO System

Load distribution Monitoring
Ammonia tank

Project Description

Summary: Ammonia tank structural monitoring, evaluation of the load distribution among supporting columns

Clients: GESO mBH

Place: Jena (Germany)

Period: 2001 - 2001

Installation: Smartec/Geso

Structure's short description: A 2000 m3 spherical ammoniac gas tank sustained by 9 couples of steel pillars has been monitored during the filling period (few days). Each pillar has been monitored using 3 sensors (to distinguish axial forces from rotations), temperature has been monitored at each monitored spot (to isolate thermal-induced strains).

Aim of monitoring: The main aim was to discover differentiate yielding occurring to the pillars concrete basements during the maximal possible load. Moreover it?s been possible to guarantee the global structure good health.

Number of sensor: 54

Main Results: The global behavior of the structure has been checked; a periodical monitoring has been decided by the engineers in order to guarantee from accidental environmental pollution.

Bibliography:

Pr?ung der St?zbelastung an Kugelbeh?tern durch faseroptische Vervormungsmessungen , A. Senze, S. Grosswig,R. Stolze, N. Nagler, O. Hennig, D. Inaudi, Tecnishe ?erwachung, November/Dezember, 2005