June 2019                                   Volume 34, Number 2
In recent months, there have been numerous gas tank explosions reported. As these happen, STI/SPFA likes to report on them, often times with an immediate LinkedIn post from Executive Vice President Wayne Geyer, or sometimes on the STI/SPFA LinkedIn page. Although typically facts on the explosions are not immediately available, STI/SPFA tracks these incidences and tries to compile as many facts as possible as investigations continue. Four recent explosions and links to information are listed below:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Friday, June 21
A tank  containing a mixture of butane and propane caught fire causing extensive damage at a Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery Friday morning.  
Read a story about the event 
View a video of the event
Read a story from BIC magazine

Buena Vista, Virginia, Friday, May 10
Two people were killed and four adults injured in an explosion at a gas station in Buena Vista, Virginia, according to the Rockbridge County Fire Department and Virginia State Police.

Ashland, Kentucky, Monday, April 15
An FRP UST exploded around 9 a.m. at an Ashland, Kentucky gas station, shooting flames, concrete, metal and other debris into the sky. 

Feltonville, an area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, March 12
A gas tank explosion left behind extensive damage outside a 7-Eleven in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia on Tuesday, March 12. 
Read a story about the event

Bonding and Grounding 
Controlling Static Electricity
By: Jerome E. Spear
A few years ago, I investigated an incident involving a fire that resulted from the transfer of a flammable liquid mixture. A driver of a chemical distributor was delivering a load of product to a customer. The product consisted of a solvent mixture containing toluene and other flammable ingredients. As the driver was filling a 350-gallon metal (tote) container from a top nozzle a fire suddenly erupted, causing burn injuries to the driver. He suffered second- and third-degree burns to about 20 percent of his body.  

The investigation of this incident determined that a spark, resulting from an electrostatic discharge, ignited the solvent vapors. There are two basic techniques to protect against the dangers of static electricity-grounding and bonding. These techniques should be strictly followed in areas where flammable and combustible liquids are stored, dispensed or used. This article describes how static discharge occurs and how bonding and grounding help prevent potential fires due to electrostatic discharges. Read the full article...

This article was authored by Jerome Spear, STI/SPFA Safety Consultant, and recently re-shared on LinkedIn.
  

STI Adds Option of Armor-Piercing Resistant Steel Jacket for FireguardĀ® Rectangular Tanks 
Fireguard rectangular tanks can now be made with the option of an armor-piercing resistant steel jacket which passes UL 752 Level 9. The material from Industeel was tested on a Fireguard tank in May 2017. Details were finalized this year and STI/SPFA members now have the option to build the Fireguard tank with this additional feature using ultra high-hardness steel for ballistic protection. The Fireguard product with the Level 9 rating makes this particularly attractive to a military audience. For more information, contact Dana Schmidt, STI/SPFA Standards Engineer at dschmidt@steeltank.com

STI/SPFA Quality Control Meeting and Tanks Year in Review
STI/SPFA held the bi-annual Quality Control meeting in April. The event, that drew approximately 150 attendees, was hosted for STI/SPFA licensed fabricators and affiliate members in Cape Girardeau, MO. During the event, awards and recognition were given to top producers, education sessions were presented and the attendees got a special look at the operations of Mid-South Steel Products, Inc.
 
Awards were given to companies who produced the most of each STI/SPFA technology, the most units, and for quality.

Attendees were also able to participate in a welding simulation contest the first day of the event thanks to Lincoln Electric. The winner of this event is presented the Herdman Cup. The 2019 winner was Shawn Owens of Paso Robles Tank Inc. in Paso Robles, California.
 
STI/SPFA presents education to help inform members and give them the best opportunity for success. Greg Anderson of Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing, Inc. and Dana Schmidt of STI/SPFA presented on pressure testing. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear John Albert, Program Administrator from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. These were just a couple of sessions presented at a two-day event jam-packed with education. 

Bio-based Diesel Fuels Deliver the Biggest Reductions in Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California - Ever
Article from Diesel Technology Forum

Cumulative CO2 Reductions million tons. SOURCE California Energy Commission_ Low Carbon Fuel Standard Dashboard
According to new data gathered from the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program run by the California Air Resources Board, biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel deliver the state's biggest reduction in transportation-related sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In 2018, California's use of biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels eliminated 4.3 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), exceeding the reductions delivered by ethanol. Since the LCFS program began in 2011, biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel have eliminated more than 18 million tons of CO2.

"The pairing of biofuels with new-generation diesel engines is, hands down, one of the most effective - and underrated - ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty transportation sources," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "Even though battery electric technologies dominate the headlines, electric cars and trucks in California resulted in only 1.2 million tons of CO2 reductions in 2018 - one third of the emissions reductions delivered by diesel biofuels."

Consumption of Advanced Biofuels Gallons of gasoline equivalent. SOURCE California Air Resources Board.
The newest-generation diesel engines incorporate the latest emissions control technologies, providing near-zero emission performance even when running on fossil-based diesel fuel. When paired with biodiesel or renewable diesel fuels, these clean diesel engines are capable of delivering immediate clean air and GHG reductions.


Industry Continues to Discuss Best Practices for ULSD Storage Systems
STI/SPFA staff Steve Pollock and Wayne Geyer continue to represent the steel tank industry at industry meetings and conferences addressing the importance of ULSD fuel quality. 
  • The Fuels Institute Council is developing a best practices for maintaining fuel quality downstream. The Institute is also surveying performance of engines relative to fuel quality and performing analysis of fuel sample data, both historic and current. 
  • The ASTM continues to meet semi-annually on fuel quality standards. The CRC (Coordinating Research Council) is completing its review of the latest Battelle Memorial Institute research on fuel quality. 
  • The EGSA, Electrical Generation System Association, has formed a Task Group to provide a recommendation to NFPA 110 on fuel quality testing and maintenance. 
  • Fuel Quality Consultant Ed English is developing a guideline for owners of stand-by emergency diesel generator systems to monitor and maintain fuel quality. ASTM is reviewing the guidelines to eventually become an ASTM document. 
Diesel Tank Corrosion Mechanism, and Corrosion Control
This article, authored by Patrick Smyth, covers the corrosion mechanism, and corrosion control, by the installation of a standards-based SAE J1488 filtration system that removes the majority of corrosion risk to tanks caused by MIC (Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion).

The increased prevalence of corrosion in the storage tanks was first noticed in 2007, shortly after the introduction of ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) biodiesel blends. Intense study has followed, trying to answer the question of what has changed to cause the corrosion, and how to mitigate it.
Read the full article...

STI/SPFA has heard a large number of proposed explanations of, causes and solutions to corrosion. This article offers a different viewpoint. We encourage you to discuss this topic on the STI/SPFA LinkedIn Shop Fab page

STI at NISTM and ILTA - Field Erected Industrial Tank Construction Courses
STI/SPFA members presented a Field-Constructed Industrial Tank Installation Course on April 3rd during the NISTM Conference in Orlando, Florida. Another course, Terminal Tank Construction, was held during the ILTA Conference June 5th in Houston, Texas. The following members participated as speakers: Paul Windham of Fisher Tank Company, Brad Veath of McDermott CB&I Tank Solutions, Tony Ippoliti retired from The Sherwin Williams Company, Matt Van Alsburg of Advance Tank and Construction, Jason Riddell of Chattanooga Boiler & Tank, Fred Ruinen of Fisher Tank Company, Andy Stetzler of Caldwell Tanks, Tim Hanratty of Sherwin-Williams, and Chris Ard of Tnemec Company. The courses included the following topics:
  • Considerations for Locating API Industrial Tanks
  • Corrosion Protection of Industrial Tanks
  • The API 650 Data Sheet
  • API Tank Construction
  • Inspection and Application of Coatings and Linings
  • Requests for Proposals - How to prepare an RFP to get an accurate, timely proposal
  • Tank Repairs and Modifications Overview
The next Field Erected Industrial Tank Construction course will be held at the 2019 API Conference October 15th in Denver, Colorado. Register today!

STI/SPFA Steel Pipe Award Winners
In January, the STI/SPFA 2018 Steel Pipe Awards were presented at the Pipe Section meeting. The STI/SPFA Steel Product Awards recognize outstanding steel construction products, projects, and achievements of member companies. These projects serve to bring attention to the positive qualities and flexibility of steel as the production material of choice for many industries.

The three categories for pipe are pipe fabrication, pipeline project and pipe section affiliate product/project. View the winning entries here. The 2018 winners were:

Best Steel Water Pipe Fabrication
Mid America Pipe Fabricating & Supply, LLC, Scammon, Kansas
Diameter (inches): 108" & 78"
Best Steel Water Pipeline Project
Jifco, Inc., Livermore, California
Diameter (inches): 36" - 144"
Best Steel Water Pipe Section Affiliate Product/Project
National Welding Corp., Midvale, Utah
Diameter (inches): 180" by 84" rectangle tapering down to 66" round diameter
From left: Nash Williams from National Welding Corp., Hardin Stephens from Mid America Pipe Fabricating & Supply, LLC and Jay Forni, Jr. from Jifco, Inc. accept their 2018 Pipe Awards

Top Violations for USTs and ASTs in California
Jerry Bucklin, NES, Inc. and  Michelle Le, PG&E gave a presentation titled Most Commonly Cited CUPA Violations & How to Avoid Them during the 21st California Unified Program Annual Training Conference in February. These slides illustrate the top violations for USTs and also ASTs. Click on the thumbnail below to view a larger image. 






Two New Articles in ASME Pressure Vessel Journal
Dr. Sukru Guzey and his then doctoral student Eyas Azzuni from Purdue University published two articles in the ASME Pressure Vessel journal. The first article is  on circular rings and the second one is on API 12F shop built tanks.

Articles can be viewed from the following links:



Feed Focus - What's Happening on LinkedIn
Each issue we'll highlight articles/posts that have been popular with our Followers on LinkedIn. Click on a title below to see the LinkedIn posting. 

STI/SPFA LinkedIn Page
What's Wrong With This? Answer
Thank you to everyone who submitted an answer identifying what was wrong with this picture. The correct answer was that it was an sti-P3 tank, an underground tank, and should never be used aboveground. And no, the makeshift wooden enclosure does not make it "underground."

Our winner is Jeff Kitchen from Tank Engineering in Indianapolis, IN. Congratulations Jeff!  


IN THIS ISSUE
Keeping Track of Gas Tank Explosions
Bonding and Grounding
Fireguard Armor-Piercing Resistant Steel Jacket
STI/SPFA Quality Control Meeting
Bio-based Diesel Fuels Deliver the Biggest Reductions in Emissions
Industry Continues to Discuss Best Practices for ULSD Storage Systems
Diesel Tank Corrosion Mechanism
STI Field Erected Tank Construction Courses
STI/SPFA Steel Pipe Award Winners
Top Violations for USTs & ASTs in CA
New Articles in ASME Pressure Vessel Journal
Feed Focus - What's Happening on LinkedIn
What's Wrong With This Installation?
KEEP THE WATER OUT!
Educational brochures for owners and operators of storage tank systems

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Tank Talk is provided without representations or warranties, express or implied.  In particular, STI/SPFA does not warrant the accuracy of information presented from external sources. 

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