We are proposing the idea of installing Auto drain valves in our product tanks viz HSD/MS/SKO. Can you all share your experience if any regarding its performance? Will it lead to reduction of HC loss during tank draining/preparation for product despatch?
Answers
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11/08/2015
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A:
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Sudhakara Babu Marpudi, Dangote Oil Refinery Company, m_sudhakarababu@yahoo.com
Auto drain valves on SKO and HSD could be O.K., as long as the drains are monitored by the Hydrocarbon detectors. Hydrocarbon slippage through the drains for a short period may still be safe (HSD flash point is >66 Deg C and SKO flash is around 38 Deg C). MS tank auto draining can be very unsafe (flash point < 18 Deg C)especially in dispatch area where ignition sources are available from the tankers. MS slippage thru the drain can lead to vapor cloud formation that can ignite very easily.
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