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OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical Complex
Bina Consulting

Stone & Webster

RnPineera

T.imited

BCE Job no: LAJ950133

SWL Job no: 123065

Hydrostatic and Settlement Tests

Procedure

National Petrochemical Co.

DOC.no. :I
0-VD-PCJ-QC-351144
Rev. no. : 2
Sheet no. : 1 1 11+1

HYDROSTATIC AND
SETTLEMENT TESTS
PROCEDURE

Hydrostatic And
Settlement
Tests
Procedure

CLIENT : ILAM Petrochemical Company

Prj. Doc. NO.

: 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

MFS DOC.NO: MFS PR-HT(IL)-86-06-441 (02)

ILAM ETHYLENE PLANT-ILAM OLEFIN COMPLEX

02

1.Mar.09

For Approval

R.N

01

28.Dec.08

For Approval

R.N

Rev.

Date

Description

Prepare.

Tech.
Dep.
Tech.
Dep.
Chk.

A.S
A.S
App.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

National Petrochemical Co.

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 2 / 11

CONTENT
1.0

Scope

2.0

Applicable Codes and Standards

3.0

Test Stages

4.0

Sequence of Work

5.0

Water

6.0

Method

7.0

Assessment and Report

10

8.0

Cleaning

10

Level Reference Table

11

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National Petrochemical Co.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 3 / 11

This procedure briefly describes the general methods to be performed for Hydrostatic and
Settlement testing after completing welding operation and performing required N.D.T.
Test for Storage Tanks.
Before hydrostatic test, reports of all inspection and test as per relevant QCP such as joint
history N.D.T map, punch list, test certificate, general drawing etc. approval by the
owners representative shall be provided.

1.0. Scope
The purpose of performing following test is to controlling and measuring any changes to
body and foundation level and also to prove integrity of Storage Tanks body.
This document applies to Nine Storage Tanks of OLEFIN PLANT ILAM
PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX.
After completing erection and performing required Tests, Visual Inspection, Vacuum
Box Testing, Pneumatic Test, Hydrostatic operation and settlement test will be
performed. Accoding Applicable codes and standards as defined in item 20.

2.0. Applicable codes and standards

API 650 Welded Steel Storage Tanks.
API 653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alternation and Reconstruction.(Appendix B.)
Client Documents and specification No: 10-00-spc-ME-1003 Rev.c

3.0. Test Stages

This test will divide to following mentioned stages:
Test preliminaries such as visual inspection.
Inspection of Tank Bottom Welds (Vacuum Box Testing)
Inspection of Reinforcement-Plate Welds (Pneumatic Testing)
Testing of the Shell (Hydrostatic Testing)
It must be mentioned all of the mentioned test must perform after controlling all of the
N.D.T. test reports.

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OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

National Petrochemical Co.

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

4.0. Sequence of Work

N.D.T Test records

Settlement
Monitoring
Leak test

Water Filling
Holding Stage
Holding Stage
Holding Stage
Hydrostatic Test

Water Discharge

Holding Stage at 1/2 Ht

Settlement
Monitoring

Holding Stage
Emptying Stage
Cleaning and Drying

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No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 4 / 11

National Petrochemical Co.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 5 / 11

5.0. Water
For accomplishment of hydrostatic test, storage tanks must filled with plant water and
prior to filling the Storage Tank with water.

TEST METHODS IN ACCORDANCE WITH API 650

6.0. Method
Describing inspection and test methods for following fixed & floating roof storage tanks,
which were fabricated and tested in accordance with API 650:
C5+Feed Tank (TK-031) Floating Roof
Pyrolysis Gasoline Tank (TK-903 A/B) Floating Roof
Benzene Stripper Feed Tank (TK-985)
Chemical Waste Neutralisation Tank (TK-984)
Caustic Tank (TK-981)
Spent Caustic Holding Tank (TK-941)
Fuel Oil Storage Tank (TK-904)
Sulphuric Acid Storage Tank (TK-982)
6.1. Test Preliminary
6.1.1. Visual Examination
All of the weld seams of bottom plates must be visually inspected. This inspecting shall
meet the following requirements:
6.1.1.1. The surface of weld lines must free from cavities and construction derbries using
trains of pigs fitted with brushes.
6.1.1.2. There must not be any pronounced lumps or cavities, which have been caused by
starting or finishing a weld bead.
6.1.1.3. Welds must free from under cutting. The height and spacing or ripples must be
uniform. For welds that attach nozzles, manholes and cleanout openings.
6.1.1.4. The profile of fillet welds must be uniform and surface of the weld must slightly
convex and free from over lap at the toes of weld lines.

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National Petrochemical Co.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 6 / 11

If any problems meet in visual inspection, following corrective action must be performed
before starting next stage of the test:
Removing all of the defects by using mechanical means or thermal gouging processes.
Repairing arc strikes which have been discovered in or adjacent to weld lines by
grinding and re-welding as required.
The repaired weld shall be visually examined for defects.

6.2. Inspection of Tank Bottom Welds by performing Vacuum Box Test:

After termination of visual inspection and cleaning above-mentioned surfaces, or
performing corrective action, vacuum box testing will be executed by using following
methods:
6.2.1. Vacuum testing is conveniently performed by using a testing Box with about15 cm
wide and 75 cm long with a glass window in the top and sealing the open bottom
with using a sponge-rubber gasket and suitable connections. Suitable connection
valves and gauges shall be provided on it.
6.2.2. Approximately 75 cm of the seam under test, must brushed with a soap solution or
linseed oil. In freezing weather, a non-freezing solution may be necessary. The
vacuum box will place over the coated section of the seam, and vacuum will apply
to the box. Bubbles will indicate the presence of porosity in the seams or foam,
which was produced by air sucked through the welded seam.
6.2.3. A vacuum can be drawn on the box by any convenient method, such as connection
to a gasoline- or diesel motor intake manifold or to an air ejector or special
vacuum pump.
6.2.4. As an alternate to vacuum box testing, a suitable tracer gas and compatible
detector can be used to test the integrity of welded bottom joints for their entire
length provided that an appropriate tracer gas testing procedure has been reviewed
an approved by the purchaser.
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National Petrochemical Co.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 7 / 11

6.3. Inspection of Reinforcement-Plate Weld

After completing fabrication and prior to filling the tanks with water for performance of
hydrostatic test, all of the reinforcements shall be tested by pneumatic method.
Applying up to 100 Kpa Pressure between the tanks shell and openings reinforce pads,
with using contrived telltale holes on pads, and covering all of the attachments and
welding around the reinforce pads by suitable material such as a soap film or linseed oil.
If weld joints contained any defect, bubbles will appeared on the covered material.
Suitable convenient method shall be applied for repairing all of the existent defects.
6.4. Testing of the Shell by using Hydrostatic Test Method
After the entire tank is completed but before any permanent external piping is connected
to the tank, the shell shall be tested by Hydrostatic Testing. This Test must be performed
after completing tank fabrication and finishing all of the welding operation and
Radiographic Test, prior to painting and / or insulation.
Hydrostatic testing methods consist of filling a Tank System with (Water) containing a
max of 25 ppm chloride up to high liquid level or over flow nozzle, until a certain
pressure is reached, and observing. A loss of liquid pressure can be attributed to a leak, a
decrease in liquid temperature, distortion due to the pressure, or trapped vapor.
During test operation, inspector should check for conformity with design drawings and
specification, accessibility of valves, controls and gages and proper installation of water
pumps. All equipment should be checked for correct identification and operating
instructions.
Water supply pipe work should be flushed thoroughly at the maximum practicable rate of
flow, before connection is made to system piping, in order to remove foreign materials
which may have interred during installation or which may have accumulated in the mains
system at lower rates of flow. The minimum rate of flow for flushing should be not less
than the water demand rate of the system.
Filling operation and method will be according to clause 6.4.3 of this procedure.

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OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

National Petrochemical Co.

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 8 / 11

6.4.1. Hydrostatic Test provision

6.4.1.1. Interior of the tanks shall be free from greases, weld spatter, scale, slag, rust and
any other foreign matter and broom swept.
6.4.1.2. Roof manhole (as vent) shall be open during of filling and emptying operation
(very important).
6.4.1.3. All appurtenances inside of the tanks such as coils or pipe supports shall have
been installed.
6.4.1.4. Settlement monitoring devices shall be provided prior to filling water.
6.4.1.5. Permanent or temporary tank level gauges shall be provided to monitor the water
level.
6.4.1.6. Cleaning Surfaces (Internal / External) completely and pips and fittings should
be carefully cleaned before assembly and any loose jointing material should be
removed.
6.4.1.7. Installing of valves and fittings.
6.4.1.8. Installing pressure gauges.
6.4.1.9. Temporary water piping and pumps for filling and discharging shall be installed
from the tank to water supply point and disposal point.
6.4.1.10. Hydrostatic test shall be commenced and finished during day lights hours.
6.4.1.11. Hydrostatic test chart(time &levels)shall be provided.
6.4.2. Type of settlement :
Type of settlement will be according to API653 Appendix B, clause B2 and should be
recorded upon related formats.

6.4.3. Settlement Monitoring:

To restrain and monitoring foundation settlement, according to following mentioned
method, filling will be done under controlled condition, which was measured with

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National Petrochemical Co.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 9 / 11

concerning speculation upon soil settlement and soil bearing capacity which have been
concluded from ground research.
Considering and marking 12 points (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270,
300, 330) around storage tank base ring as leveling references and measuring the
elevation with 1mm accuracy with dial gauge. Before filling tanks with water the level at
each mentioned reference point will be registered. Permanent reference level will be
established in unaffected location of tanks (Bench Mark). Gauge contact surfaces should
be provided with glued glass plates or similar for a smooth contact.
6.4.4. Filling
6.4.4.1. Filling operation
The test water shall be filled slowly until the water level reaches minimum 300 mm
height. The water-filling rate shall not exceed 900 mm depth per hour, and then inlet
nozzle shall be gradually opened and continuing filling operation. Water will be filled in
to the tanks by approximately filling rate about

900mm /hr, until water level reach

to1/3Ht, at such a head, filling will stop for 6 hours and level at the reference points will
be recorded.
Continuing filling operation with 900mm/hr water flow rate up to water level reached to
2/3Ht of required hydro test level at such a head, filling will stop for 12 hours and levels
will be measured and checked and comparing with registered measure before start of
filling (while tanks were empty) to ensure that uneven settlement have not occur. In this
situation, filling will proceed by the same rate up to water leveled reached to required
height. Each day levels at reference points will register and recorded. (Refer to page 12
for filling diagram).
The filled tanks will be maintained for 24 hours and provided levels remain
consistent, the tank can be off loaded prior to calibration for service.
As filling of tanks, according to the mentioned method, will be done gradually and in
steps, it prevents non-uniform settlement.
During hydro test and after finishing of each one of filling steps or emptying stages,
checking will be made on followings:
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OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

National Petrochemical Co.

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 10 / 11

Settlement Monitoring
All shell welding joints lower than liquid level
Corner joints including the fillet weld between shell and bottom, which shall visually
check for water tightness.
Shell roundness
Note: For repair of any leakage ad weld, water level shall be drained 330 mm below the
failure point and after repair, hydrostatic test shall re-started from actual level.
It must be mentioned prior to the roof installation, fixed roof column supports shall be
inspected for plumbness and tank shells shall be inspected for distortion or ovalization.
Roof support columns which are out-of-plumb by more than 15mm in every 3m and/or
more than 60mm for the total length shall be realigned.
7.0. Assessment and Report
Gauge measurements and visual inspection shall be assessed and reported together with
measurement records, including gauge plots relative to water levels.
The measurement records shall be issued to the engineering manager and company and
the engineering manager shall review and interpret measurement records if anomalies are
happened, the engineering manager shall instruct the site immediately to stop the water
filling, and shall discuss with Company.
8.0. Cleaning
The tanks shall be completely drained and thoroughly dried immediately after hydrostatic
Test. If necessary during discharging the test water, put the inflatable boat on the test
water and brushing the wall by using the boat as water level goes down.
After the tanks were emptied, surfaces of the bottom plates shall be cleaned with fresh
water. Water, which will be used for cleaning, shall be same quality as test water. All
sand, sludge and rubbish shall be removed from the tanks bottom.
After final draining and drying, brushing, broom or vacuum cleaner shall clean surface of
the tanks bottoms.

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National Petrochemical Co.

OLEFIN PLANT
Ilam Petrochemical
Complex

Masnouat Felezi Sangin

Doc.

Hydrostatic And
Settlement Test Procedure

No. : 10-VD-PCJ-QC-351144

Rev. No. : 02
Sheet no. : 11 / 11

Level Refrence Table

Reference Point

Height of Level Indicator

Date

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330

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Time