Some thoughts on integrity management of mounded storage tanks

In the domestic petrochemical industry, mounded storage tanks (MSTs) are widely used to store hazardous chemicals. The shell of the mounded storage tank is completely covered by soil to effectively mitigate the effect of the external environment and prevent thermal-expansion-induced explosion of the stored material. Because mounded storage tanks are mostly underground, they are highly safe, provide effective land utilization, and are highly energy efficient. Furthermore, the impact radius in case of an explosion is less than that of aboveground tanks. However, adequate regulations and standards for safety management are yet to be established. This study established a novel method for the integrity management of mounded storage tanks through database construction, risk assessment, applicability monitoring, and testing. At the same time, the risk assessment method for mounded storage tank characteristics is constructed for the first time.