Understanding API ICP653 Reading 7-Worksheet-04 Part1

5.3 Assessment Procedure
5.3.1 – 5.3.12 Direction for Assessment
General Comments:
1. Fracture assessment would most likely be conducted by a metallurgist or
design specialist.
2. Several options exist based on the most severe combination of
temperature and liquid level experienced by the tank during its life, whereby
an increased potential for brittle fracture failure exists:
a. Restrict the liquid level.
b. Restrict the minimum metal temperature
c. Change service to a lower Specific Gravity. product.
d. A combination of the three areas listed above.
3. Remember: Reducing the storage temperature increases the potential for
failure. Shell stresses are increased and potential for failure is greater with a
stored product change to a higher specific gravity.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang