Tank Calibration Procedure by EORDR Method
Tank Calibration Procedure by EORDR Method
P1066
CLIENT: NO.
SUB-CONTRACTOR:
REV. NO: A
NO. OF
SHEETS: 1 of 8
REVISION
A ANB MRT SA
30-07-19 Initial Issue
Rev No. Date Descriptions Prepared By Reviewed By Approved By
Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Table of Contents
1. Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
2. Reference Information .................................................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Responsibility ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
4. Equipment ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
5. Preparation ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.1. Safety Tank Entry................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.2. Tank Status ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
5.3. Instrument Set Up Inside the Tank ......................................................................................................................................... 3
5.4. Selection of Target Points ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Procedure ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
6.1. Calibration .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
6.2. Tolerances .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
6.3. Other Measurements and Considerations ............................................................................................................................... 6
7. Calculation and Development of Capacity Tables .......................................................................................................................... 7
8. Documentation ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Page 1 of 8
Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
1. Purpose
This procedure describes the method for the calibration of vertical cylindrical tanks by use of a laser measuring
device, this method is known as Electro-Optical Distance Ranging (EODR). The distance and the angle to various
points on each course of the tank shell wall are measured. These distances and angles are then used to compute the
radius of each course.
This method is suitable for the vertical cylindrical tanks having diameters greater than 5m by means of internal
measurement using a laser measuring device, and for the subsequent compilation of tank capacity tables at various
levels.
This method shall not be used in the calibration of abnormally deformed tanks (e.g. dented) or non-circular tanks.
This method is applicable to tanks tilted by up to 3% from the vertical provided a correction is applied for the
measured tilt.
This method is applicable to tanks with cone up, cone down and flat bottoms.
2. Reference Information
API MPMS Chapter 2.2D - Calibration of Upright Cylindrical Tanks Using the Internal Electro-Optical Distance
Ranging Method
CAL-QPG-005-I01 - Tank RAD Program Work Instruction
3. Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the Manager to ensure all relevant information is made available to the technicians.
It is the responsibility of the calibration technician to ensure this procedure is complied with and that any possible
deviations are reported to the Manager for approval.
4. Equipment
Laser measuring instrument: TPS – System 1205 is an Electronic Theodolite and Total Station designated for
reflector-less position measuring devices.
The measurement beam emitted from the instrument is visible and can be focused on a small spot on the object
measured.
Distance and horizontal and vertical angles are instantly presented on a screen.
Instrument mounting: the instrument shall be mounted on a tripod which is firm and stable. The legs of the tripod
shall be held firm, and steadied by suitable devices such as magnetic bearers, if necessary.
Stadia: a rigid bar, usually 2m long, such that the graduated length between the two stadia marks remains constant
to within ± 0.02mm.
Equipment for bottom calibration: Bottom calibration may be undertaken by the liquid method or by use of the
laser measuring instrument, surveyors level or water filled tubes.
Auxiliary equipment including;
Page 2 of 8
Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
5. Preparation
5.1. Safety Tank Entry
Prior to commencing work on a tank, the technician shall satisfy himself that all safety requirements have been
complied with to ensure work can be carried out in a safe manner. Special emphasis is to be paid with regards to
confined space entry.
The technician may also carry out a visual inspection that the tank is properly isolated and any potential danger be
reported prior to commencing measurement. The technician must also ensure that the tank is certified gas free and
a permit to work issued and signed by the authorized personnel. Safety stand watch should be present at the tank
entrance for duration of internal calibration and sound alarm if emergency occurs.
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Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
The instrument shall be set perfectly horizontal to ensure that the vertical axis (standing axis) is vertical.
The instrument shall be free from external vibration.
The sighting lines from the instrument to the tank shell wall shall not be obstructed.
The instrument shall be switched on and brought to operating temperature for at least the minimum time
recommended by the manufacturer.
After the instrument has reached its correct operating temperature, carry out the appropriate procedure given by
instrument manufacturer. Then select and clearly mark on the tank shell wall two reference target points, which
shall be approximately 100 grad apart and preferably on the same horizontal plane as the instrument.
The slope distances to each of the two reference target points shall be measured. Two successive readings to each
reference target points shall be taken. The two readings, at each point, shall agree within +/- 2mm. The average
distance to each point shall be computed. The slope distance shall be recorded.
Wait 15 minutes and repeat above. The repeated slope distances shall agree within +/- 2mm of the slope distances
originally measured. The slope distance shall be recorded.
If the original and repeated average slope distances do not agree within +/- 2mm, determine the reason for the
difference;
If the reason for difference is due to the instrument and/or its stability, repeat the procedure;
If the instrument was off during the determination of the difference, repeat the procedure;
If neither the above is appropriate, repeat the procedure;
Repeat the appropriate procedures until two successive readings agree within +/- 2mm.
Note: Work Instruction CAL-QPG-005-101 shall be adhered to when operating the Laser Instrument.
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Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Tank
Circumference, Minimum
C Target
Points
m
C ≤ 50 m 8
50 < C ≤ 100 m 12
300 ≤ C 36
Note: A number of target points, greater than the minimum number of points in the table, may be chosen depending on
specific circumstances and tank conditions.
6. Procedure
6.1. Calibration
Sight all the target points along the horizontal plane at each course location, and measure the slope distance,
horizontal angle and vertical angle to each.
Measure and record the slope distance, horizontal angle and vertical angle to each of the reference target points.
Complete the measurements to the target points on each course prior to moving to the next course. Also,
measurement shall begin from the bottom course and extend, course by course, to the top.
After all measurements on a course are completed, repeat the measurements to the reference target points.
If the repeated slope distance to the reference target points do not agree with the measurements taken during the
setting up or the instrument, within the tolerance given below then repeat the steps above.
If the horizontal and the vertical angle to the reference target points do not agree within the tolerance given below,
then repeat the steps above.
If statistical agreement is not obtained between the original and repeated measurements of either slope distances,
horizontal angles or vertical angles, then the reasons for such disagreement shall be determined, the cause
eliminated and the calibration procedure repeated.
Carry out all measurements without interruption.
6.2. Tolerances
Reference target point, distance verification; the distance to each of the reference target point before/after the tank
calibration has been carried out shall be within +/- 2mm.
Page 5 of 8
Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Reference target point, horizontal and vertical angle verification; the horizontal and vertical angle to each of the
reference target points before and after the tank calibration has been carried out shall be within +/- 0.005 grad.
The instrument is then moved horizontally to next radial station e.g. 10º and the measurement process is repeated
until all floor has been surveyed. Minimum number of radial stations is eight to determine number of stations to
survey floor tank circumference divided by nine.
Dip gauge plate or reference position on the floor will also be recorded, as well as position on tank shell nearest
dip or gauge point
On completion of the floor survey it is necessary to recheck offset heights of dip, side and center to ensure tripod
has not moved during floor survey if offset measurements do not agree then reset the tripod and carry out floor
survey again.
If the laser readings at 20 percent on first course are obstructed by deadwood i.e. (heating coils). Then the laser can
be reset to reflect measurements taken at 50 % and 80% of first course height. The remaining courses will revert
to carrying out measurements at 20% and 80% of course height. The effect of the coils on the tank volume will be
accounted for in the capacity table.
Floating roofs are occasionally installed in tanks with upright vertical cylindrical shells. They can be external or
internal in nature and usually of a rigid steel construction or aluminum. The displacement, however gives rise to
special deductions for floating roof weight and deadwood. When roof is fully buoyant, it displaces an amount of
liquid equal to the weight of the roof. The weight of floating roof should include the roof plus any fixtures that are
carried up and down in the tank with the roof, including fifty percent of the weight of the stairway. The roof weight
is calculated by the builder and should be recorded by technician. Operations/owner will be consulted if roof
weight is to be included in capacity tables as a displacement or as a separate table.
Further a roof survey can be carried out after the floor survey by reversing the staff and placing it vertically on the
tank roof at zero position (dip gauge). By recording this height, the effective height of the roof in relation to dip
can be calculated. After this a roof survey can be carried out by placing the staff at the rim near dip position then
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Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
record following distances to center; 1m, 1.5m, 2.5m, 4m, 6m 9m and every 3m thereafter to the center. This data
can be used to calculate the level at which the liquid first contacts with the underside of the roof position (A).
Position (B) is the liquid level at which the last support of the roof lifts free from tank bottom and is fully buoyant.
It is advisable to allow 50mm below position (A) and above position (B) in establishing the critical zone, since the
displaced volume of liquid is contingent upon an assumed specific gravity of liquid to be handled in the tank and
the shape of the roof and floor may change over time.
Reference height determination; the overall height of the reference point on each dip-hatch (upper reference point),
if fitted, above the dip-point shall be measured using a dip tape and weight. This overall height, to the nearest
millimeter, shall be recorded in the calibration certificate and permanently marked on the tank adjacent to the dip-
hatch.
The vertical height difference between the datum-point and the dip-point, if any, shall be measured by normal
surveying methods and recorded. In use, each measured tank dip is referred to a dip-point; the position of the dip-
point may differ from the datum-point used for the purpose of tank calibration (e.g. on the intersection of the tank
shell and the tank bottom plate).
If tank construction drawings are available, calibration measurement shall be compared with the corresponding
dimensions shown in the construction drawings. Any measurement which shows significant discrepancies shall be
checked. If the calibration and drawings measurements do not agree, the reasons for the discrepancy shall be
determined and calibration procedure repeated if necessary.
The calculation of the positions of the various target points at any one, horizontal level is simplified if the vertical
height co-ordinates, Z values, are all reduced to a common level. Care shall be exercised in this reduction to ensure
that the values of the Z co-ordinates are reduced to a common value which ensures that the adjusted positions of
the target points are on a plane which is normal to the vertical axis of symmetry of the tank. It should not be
assumed that the tank is truly vertical.
Page 7 of 8
Contract For Site Civil Construction And / or Mechanical
Installations Works in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Alternations in the values of a Z co-ordinate will require a compensating alternation in the values of the X and Y
co-ordinates of that point. Such adjustments shall be carried out by established mathematical techniques.
Reduction of the values of the X and Y co-ordinates to the internal radius at each level at which measurements
have been taken shall be carried out by established mathematical techniques.
Once the internal radii are computed, the development of the capacity table shall be carried out applying the
following correction.
For hydrostatic head effect;
To the certified tank shell temperature;
For deadwood (including the effect of coils where appropriate);
For tilt.
8. Documentation
Records shall be kept in relation to each tank when the calibration is completed and will be submitted to the client.
If tank construction drawings are available, calibration measurement shall be compared with all of the
corresponding dimensions, shown in the construction drawings.
Any measurements which show significant discrepancies shall be checked. If the calibration and drawing
measurements do not agree, then tank owner will be informed and the reasons for the discrepancy shall be
determined and calibration procedure repeated, if necessary.
Further, copies of the technician’s handwritten calculations shall be filed in the appropriate job file, and held in the
record system for a period of seven years.
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