API 650 and API 620 standards, developed by the American Petroleum Institute, provide comprehensive guidelines for the design, construction, and maintenance of storage tanks used in the oil and gas industry. These standards ensure that tanks are designed to safely and efficiently store a variety of liquids, including crude oil, refined products, and chemicals.
At Mechartes, we specialize in the advanced mechanical and structural design of these tanks, utilizing cutting-edge numerical analysis tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to optimize tank performance and integrity.
Our expertise extends to the design and analysis of tank internals, ensuring effective gravity separation of oil and water. Through CFD simulations, we meticulously analyze fluid behavior within the tanks, addressing issues such as flow mixing and stratification, which can impact the quality of the stored product. Our flow and mixing analysis helps in optimizing the design of mixing baffles, inlets, and outlets to enhance operational efficiency.
Additionally, we perform CFD analysis to assess the effects of sloshing and surge during tank movement, filling, or emptying. Our transient simulations predict liquid movement and its impact on tank walls and supports, ensuring structural stability and integrity under dynamic conditions.
Mechartes also conducts True Vapour Pressure (TVP) studies to estimate vapor formation inside floating roof tanks under worst-case scenarios. By evaluating historical temperature data and CFD studies, we determine the maximum TVP values for various crude blends, assess venting requirements, and evaluate potential emissions.
FEA is integral to our approach, allowing us to conduct detailed structural integrity analysis for API 650 and API 620 tanks. This includes evaluating stress distribution in the tank shell, bottom, and roof, examining weld integrity, assessing fatigue issues, and ensuring the structural performance of the tank roof. Our comprehensive FEA analysis adheres to API standards, ensuring that tanks meet all safety, design, and operational requirements.