TANK ANALYSIS

Quickly and accurately map the whole tank floor using our 3D laser scanners

SPECIALISTS IN THE PROCESS INDUSTRY CUTTING EDGE 3D SCANNING TECHNOLOGY MAPPING YOUR SITE FOR ANALYSIS, MODELING, AND DOCUMENTATION

TANK ANALYSIS 

For bulk storage operators, capturing accurate tank data is an intrinsic part of ensuring efficient day-to-day running of your facility. Whether it’s for production, engineering, maintenance or health & safety, having a complete record that can be easily shared with colleagues across the globe is invaluable.
You will no longer require temporary access platforms to elevate your traditional equipment into position to collect tank surface information, nor will you be limited to a few hundred data points providing minimal information for your reports. 3D laser scanning is cost-effective and very fast, providing many millions of data points for analysis and reporting.

In worst-case scenarios, inaccuracy or absence of data can lead to costly incidents such as a storage tank rupture, with consequential costly repairs, loss of production and negative environmental impact. The storage sector has already benefited from our 3D laser scanning technology, supported by our tank analysis program.

Tank scanning can be completed before influencing factors such as temperature or tank contents affect your results. We produce full tank analysis reports tailored to your requirements.

80M DIAMETER TANK RECORDED FROM A SINGLE DAYS’ SCANNING AT AN ACCURACY OF +/-1MM

SCAN DATA EXAMPLE

The image left shows raw scan data of a tank. Our tank analysis reports provide a number of outputs:

Rollout gradient map, radial deflection, shell verticality,

tank settlement, bund volume analysis, tank calibration,

tank floor level analysis

 

THE BENEFITS

Radial
Deflection

By taking radial cuts horizontally through the middle of each tank plate (as many as required) we can observe the radial deflection of a tank compared to a true cylinder (an accurate 3D model of the tank)

Roll Out
Gradient Map

An 3D Model serves multiple purposes in the battle to save time and capital. New projects/works must overcome a multitude of design hurdles, including how they will fit/tie into your existing brownfield site. Our maps are able to provide the smallest of details to help you plan.

Shell
Verticality

By taking a vertical cut at regular intervals (usually every 10m) through the side of the tank around its circumference, we gauge the tank’s vertical integrity.

Tank 
Settlement

Using 3D scan data, we take measurements of the height of the skirt around the whole tank, to check for signs of settlement.

Bund Volume
Analysis

For operators using earth bunds for containment, our scan files offer the most accurate method for calculating bund volumes. We can not only assess ground levels, but can interrogate the variances that occur with natural bunds.

Tank
Calibration

Using scan data from either inside or outside the tank, we capture area measurements, every 1mm up the tank, including volumes from tank nozzles, manways etc. Traditional surveying methods using Total Stations would record 160 points, whereas we are able to record over 1 million per second.

Tank Floor Level Analysis

Surveying within the tank with 3D laser scanners, we are able to map the whole tank floor to accurately calculate the lowest point within the tank, allowing a water draw-off line to be added in the optimal place.

DOWNLOAD EXAMPLE

To find out more on how having your tanks scanned for tank analysis will benefit you and your business please fill out the form below:

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JOB BREAKDOWN

Pre-Planning

A3D will complete pre-planning in order to determine the most efficient and therefore, cost effective solution.

Risk & Method Statements

A3D recognise that any form of site work on an operating site must be subject of both RAMS along with planning documents in order to expedite an efficient and safe survey.

3D Laser Scan

Recognized as the preferred method for accurately capturing measured site data using 3D laser scanning instruments. Traditional methods being time-consuming and subject to error.

Register Scan Data 

Once A3D has been out on site with the 3D Laser Scanners we then process the scan using faro scene software.

Tank Analysis

Tank Aligned  

The point cloud data of the tank is aligned with a basic cylinder primitive or existing tank data.

Tank Analysed

Point cloud data gets positioned against a 3D primitive and the data is analyzed to produce a range of outputs.

Tank analysis Tank Roof Gradient Map

Tank Reporting

A range of tank reporting is produced from the analyzed tank

DO YOU HAVE A JOB REQUIREMENT LIKE THIS?

GALLERY PHOTOS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you need access inside the tank?

We don’t need access inside the tank as we can collect the data from scanning outside. If you require a tank floor inspection you will need internal access.

Do you have confined space training?

All of our surveyors are equipped with confined space training. 

Can your data help us with floating roof hangers?

By Scanning a tank we can work out the ovality which will then give us an idea on how the floating roof will sit when installed.

Can you determine tank movement between two dates?

By collecting the data using  laser scanners surveyed for tank analysis the data can be used to see if there’s movement over a period of time by having it scanned again.

RELATED SERVICES

LASER SCANNING

A3D is proud to have established point cloud technologies – now recognized as the preferred method for accurately capturing measured site data using 3D laser scanning instruments – traditional methods are time-consuming and subject to error

P&ID DRAWINGS

Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) are considered a fundamental requirement for companies managing a process operation. P&IDs play a significant role in its maintenance and modification.

TANK ANALYSIS

The A3D Tank Analysis Reports deliver critical information at a high level of granularity, unachievable by traditional methods.  We use advanced 3d laser scanners without the need to employ temporary access platforms, proving to be a very competitively priced alternative.

RELATED CASE STUDIES

3D P&ID Validation

Using 3D process models to cross-validate with smart P&IDs to determine their as-built accuracy and also allow for their on-site documentation to be kept up to date via a 3D model.

Pharmaceutical 3D Design

Complete 3D laser scanning and 3D modeling of a specific process area ahead of a new capital initiative. This initiative would require process changes to enable removal of gas from the top of the existing two vessels, compressing the removed gas and returning liquid downstream.

Large Petrochemical Terminal

Client required A3D to prepare an Autodesk Plant 3D Process model where ALS would be exporting pipework orthographic drawings as part client’s NDT inspection program in meeting their health and safety initiatives. 

Water Authority Design Service

Completed a project for the water industry at one of their pumping and filtration sites. Our client for this project was an EPC contractor who required first a RECAP scan project file, Smart 3D process model, and Smart P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams). Although smaller in terms of number of laser scans than a typical bulk storage terminal, water industry installations present different challenges.

NDT Inspection Drawings

A major UK pharmaceutical firm, required piping isometrics for NDT purposes of their main process plant, because of the size of the processing unit (over 6000m2) and their limited staff, they asked us to scan the unit and from the scan data produce isometrics. The unit consisted of two buildings (each roughly 500m2), which both had a minimum of 3 floors, and a roofing area, which consisted of a further few levels of steelwork walkways.

Contact Us

COLIN PITTMAN

P: (+44) 01245 407551

M: (+44) 07435 760153

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