Everything You Should Know About Testing Oil Tanks

Several different types of testing can be done on your oil tank. You will need to know what each one is for to get the right results for your tank.

The most common type of testing is the ultrasound screening test. It will help professionals determine if your oil tank is leaking.

Pressure Test

Tank testing is essential to ensuring a tank system’s safety and integrity. It can also detect leaks before they cause any damage to your property or groundwater.

A pressure test entails filling a tank with a small amount of oil and allowing it to expand to a certain level. It will enable the technician to see whether there is any weakened area in the tank or existing holes.

The company conducting the test was reputable and used the most modern equipment. They were also well-versed in the regulations and other states where they work.

They had several years of experience in oil tank testing Westchester County NY and knew where to look for leaks, such as along the bottom (where water resides and rusts steel) and the typical line where the tank sides meet. They even could do an ultrasound screening program on an above-ground tank to determine the thickness of the tank.

Pressure Drop Test

A pressure drop test is usually used to check for leaks when testing a tank. During this procedure, nitrogen is released to elevate the pressure within the tank to a low level. It will purge the tank of any air, debris, or other substances and help locate any leaks that may be present.

When using this method, a pressure relief device of at least 25% of the rated operational pressure should be provided to ensure the tank can hold the required pressure without leaking. It is a necessary test to perform as it can ensure that the tank is safe to use and maintain its integrity.

The hydrostatic test is another common tank testing technique and is used to ensure that the vessel is up to manufacturer standards and will not leak. It is typically used to test new tank cylinders before they are filled and is also revalidated regularly.

Acoustic Test

One of the non-destructive tests that can be performed to evaluate the integrity of an oil tank is the acoustic test, commonly known as acoustic emission (AE) testing. It can detect cracks or other defects before they become serious, avoiding costly repairs and replacement.

This type of testing uses acoustic energy to cause vibration in materials. Power plants, aerospace vehicles, or other sources of high-intensity acoustic noise may produce the acoustic noise.

These vibrations can lead to damage and other problems. The acoustic emissions are detected through sensors mounted onto a component under test.

The acoustic test was performed on three storage tanks. The test results could indicate the condition of the bottoms of the three tanks and allow estimation of their operational time until another test was required.