Diagnosis of cryogenic tanks with thermo-insulating housing

In 1980s a lot of cryogenic tanks with thermo-insulating housing (GHK, CTK, TRZHK types) have been produced. Nowadays most of them have already worked for designated lifetime (20 years). However, it is still possible to operate these items for a long time. And it is important for most companies because new items are rather expensive.

In this connection it is necessary to carry out technical diagnosing and examination of industrial safety (EIS) of the equipment. The cost of technical diagnosing and EIS is much lower than the cost of new item, and their positive results enable extension of operation life of the equipment which has worked for designated lifetime. Therefore the development of the techniques for condition control of the vessels after their repair, after the assigned resource completion and periodically during operation (particularly by acoustic emission method of nondestructive testing) becomes a topical problem. 

In terms of the gathered experience a standard program for technical diagnosing of cryogenic tanks and vessels, which determines conditions and basic requirements for acoustic emission control, has been developed. This program provides for pneumatic testing with acoustic emission maintenance and enables not to disturb the hermeticity of thermo-insulating housing. That enables significant reduction of costs of diagnosing, retention of the housing integrity and condition monitoring of the inner vessel on-site. 

The developed method of cryogenic tank technical diagnostics enables condition monitoring of the inner vessel during the test and operation of the tanks.

Kostyukov V.N., Naumenko A.P., Chikarin V.A., Shakirzyanov M.G. Diagnosis of cryogenic tanks with thermo-insulating housing // Chemical technique. - M.: 2006. - № 5. - p. 7-9

Download the publication

You can order the translation by e-mail: a@dynamics.ru