TANK INSPECTION, REPAIR, ALTERATION, AND RECONSTRUCTION 9-9

05 9.10.2 Replacement of Tank Bottom Plates Std 650. Except as permitted in 9.10.2.7, existing shell pene- 05
trations shall be raised or their penetration reinforcing plates
9.10.2.1 Requirements governing the installation of a
modified if the elevation of the new bottom results in inade-
replacement bottom over an existing bottom are given in
quate nozzle reinforcement (see Fig. 9-3B and API 650, 3.7.2) 05
9.10.2.1.1 through 9.10.2.1.5.
05 or if the weld spacing requirements given in API Std 650,
9.10.2.1.1 Suitable noncorrosive material cushion such as 3.7.3 are not met. For tanks with shell plate of unknown tough-
sand, gravel, or concrete shall be used between the old bot- ness as defined in Section 3, new weld joints in the bottom or
tom and the new bottom. annular ring shall be spaced at least the greater of 3 in. or 5t
from existing vertical weld joints in the bottom shell course,
9.10.2.1.2 The shell shall be slotted with a uniform cut where t is the thickness of the bottom shell course, in in.
made parallel to the tank bottom. The cut edges in the slot
05
shall be ground to remove all slag and burrs from cutting 9.10.2.5 Replacement of portions of an existing tank bot-
operations. The new bottom plate shall extend outside the tom (entire rectangular plates or large segments of plates) not
shell as required by API Std 650. All rules for weld spacing within the critical zone (see 3.9 for definition) are permitted
shall be followed. under the same rules that govern installation of bottoms in
new tank construction per API Std. 650.
9.10.2.1.3 Voids in the foundation below the old bottom
shall be filled with sand, crushed limestone, grout, or concrete. 9.10.2.6 The following shall be considered for tanks with
cathodic protection and under-bottom leak detection:
9.10.2.1.4 Except as permitted in 9.10.2.7, existing shell
penetrations shall be raised or their reinforcing plates modi- a. For tanks having cathodic protection (CP) installed under
05 fied if the elevation of the new bottom results in inadequate the existing bottom, consideration shall be given to removal
nozzle reinforcement details (see Figure 9-3B and API 650, of the entire bottom and unused dead shell to prevent shield-
3.7.2) or if the weld space requirements given in API Std 650, ing of CP current to the new bottom. Removal of the old
3.7.3 are not met. bottom is also important in preventing galvanic corrosion
[Text Deleted] (refer to API RP 651). Where this is possible, removal of the
9.10.2.1.5 For floating roof tanks, the new bottom profile entire old bottom, except the unused dead shell and not more
must keep the roof level when it is resting on its support legs. than 18 in. of bottom annulus attached to the shell, shall be
The levelness of the floating roof can be adjusted by chang- considered.
05
ing the length of the support legs. The support legs can either b. Consideration shall be given to installing under-bottom
remain the same length to maintain the original height above leak detection at this time (such as a RPB) to contain and
the bottom or be shortened by the same amount as the thick- channel any bottom leak to a location where it can readily be 05
ness of the cushion and new bottom plate. observed from outside of the tank. See 4.4.5 and Footnote 5.

9.10.2.2 New bearing plates for floating roof support legs 9.10.2.7 For tanks constructed from materials having
and for fixed roof support columns shall be installed. For 50,000 lbf/in.2 yield strength or less, existing shell penetra-
internal floating roofs with aluminum supports, new austen- tions need not be raised if the following conditions are met:
05 itic stainless steel or acceptable non-metallic (e.g. Teflon®)
spacers shall be added to isolate supports from the carbon a. For reinforced penetrations, including low-types, a mini-
steel bottom. mum of 4 in. shall be maintained between the shell-to-bottom
weld toe and the nearest penetration attachment weld toe
9.10.2.3 When removing an existing tank bottom, the tank (reinforcing plate periphery weld, or nozzle neck weld to low
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shell shall be separated from tank bottom either by: type reinforcing plate and shell welds).
a. Cutting the shell parallel to the tank bottom a minimum of b. For self-reinforced penetrations, the greater of 3 in. or 21/2 t
1/2 in. above the bottom-to-shell weld (cut line B-B as shown shall be maintained between the shell-to-bottom weld toe and
in Figure 10-1), or the nearest penetration attachment weld toe.
b. Removing the entire shell-to-bottom attachment weld, c. The shell-to-bottom weld is to be welded with low hydro-
including any penetration and heat affected zone by suitable gen electrodes and with welding procedures that are designed
methods such as arc gouging and/or grinding. to limit distortion and residual stress.
d. The toes of the welds shall be blend-ground to minimize
05 All arc-gouged areas of the tank shell-to-bottom weld shall stress concentrations as follows:
be magnetic particle examined, and defective areas repaired
i. For circular reinforcing plates, blend-grind the
and re-examined.
periphery attachment weld from the "four o'clock"
05 9.10.2.4 Installation of a new tank bottom, after removal of position to the "eight o'clock" position. Blend-grind
the existing tank bottom, shall meet all requirements of API the inside and outside of the shell-to-bottom weld a

Copyright American Petroleum Institute

minimum of one penetration diameter length on either 9.11.2.2 The details of the roof-to-shell junction shall meet
side of the penetration centerline. the requirements of API Std 650, Sections 3.10.5, 3.10.6, or
ii. For diamond-shaped reinforcing plates, blend-grind Appendix F, as applicable, for the intended service. Frangible
the lower horizontal length of the diamond shaped joint design, or the need for emergency venting devices in
attachment weld. Blend-grind the inside and outside accordance with API Std 2000, shall meet the requirements of
of the shell-to-bottom weld a minimum of one pene- API Std 650, 3.10.2.5.
tration diameter length on either side of the
05 penetration centerline. 9.12 FLOATING ROOFS
iii. For low-type penetrations, blend-grind the nozzle
attachment weld (shell and reinforcing plate) from the 9.12.1 External Floating Roofs
"four o'clock" position to the "eight o'clock" position.
Any method of repair is acceptable that will restore the
Blend-grind the inside and outside of the shell-to-bot-
roof to a condition enabling it to perform as required.
tom weld a minimum of one penetration diameter
length on either side of the penetration centerline.
9.12.2 Internal Floating Roofs
e. The blend-ground lengths of welds listed in 9.10.2.1.7d
shall be magnetic particle examined before and after hydro- Repairs to internal floating roofs shall be made in accor-
static test. dance with the original construction drawings, if available. If
the original construction drawings are not available, the roof
9.10.3 Additional Welded-on Plates repairs shall be in compliance with the requirements of API
9.10.3.1 If other welded-on plates such as wear, isolation, Std 650, Appendix H.
striker, and bearing plates, are to be added to tank bottoms,
they shall be installed in accordance with 9.10.1, and exam- 9.12.3 Repair of Leaks In Pontoons
ined in accordance with 12.1.7. For these additional welded- All leaks in pontoons or compartments of double deck
on plates, if the lap weld spacing requirements as set forth in floating roofs shall be repaired by rewelding the leaking
Figure 9-5 are not met, magnetic particle (MT) or liquid pen- joints and/or use of patch plates.
03
etrant (PT) examination is required for the exposed welds or
portions of welds failing to meet minimum spacing criteria. 9.13 REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF FLOATING
See Section 12 for acceptance requirements. ROOF PERIMETER SEALS
9.10.3.2 Welded-on plates that fall within the critical zone
9.13.1 Primary Seals
(see 3.9 for definition) shall be installed in accordance with
9.10.1.2 and comply with all of its requirements. Rim-mounted primary shoe seals and toroidal seal systems
can be removed, repaired, or replaced. To minimize evapora-
9.11 REPAIR OF FIXED ROOFS tion losses and reduce potential hazard to the workers, no
more than one-fourth of the roof seal system should be out of
9.11.1 Supported Cone Roofs
an in-service tank at one time. Temporary spacers to keep the
9.11.1.1 The minimum thickness of new roof plates shall roof centered shall be used during the repairs. Primary seal
be 3/16 in. plus any corrosion allowance as specified in the systems mounted partly or fully below the bolting bar or top
repair specifications. In the event roof live loads in excess of of the rim usually cannot be reached to allow removal in ser-
25 lbf/ft2 are specified (such as insulation, operating vacuum, vice. In this case, in-service repairs are limited to replacement
high snow loads), the plate thickness shall be based on analy- of the primary seal fabric.
sis using the allowable stresses in conformance with API Std
650, Section 3.10.3 (see 9.11.2.2). 9.13.2 Secondary Seals
9.11.1.2 The roof supports (rafters, girders, columns, and Rim-mounted and shoe-mounted secondary seals may be
bases) shall be repaired or altered such that under design con- readily installed, repaired, or replaced while the tank is in
ditions the resulting stresses do not exceed the stress levels service.
given in Section 3.10.3 of API Std 650.
9.13.3 Seal-To-Shell Gap
9.11.2 Self-Supporting Roofs
Repair and other corrective actions to maintain seal-to-
9.11.2.1 The nominal thickness of new roof plate shall be shell gap requirements, include:
3/16 in. or the required plate thickness given in API Std 650,
Sections 3.10.5 or 3.10.6, plus any specified corrosion allow- a. Adjusting the hanger system on primary shoe seals, and
ance, whichever is greater. adding foam filler in toroidal seals.
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Copyright American Petroleum Institute