With the completion of Tank T-203 in late July, the Vopak Galena Park 2007 expansion is now complete.

According to Andy Triplett, Vopak Project Manager, Tank T-203 is a 30,000 barrel capacity tank capable of storing VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) product. Like the previous two VOC product tanks completed as part of the 2007 project, Tank T-203 is a 73.5-foot diameter by 40-foot tall umbrella roof tank with an aluminum internal floating roof.  It is also equipped with a SAAB radar gauge and an ESD (emergency shutdown) overfill protection system for safety. When the tank is filled to a certain level, the ESD valve will close and no additional product can be placed in the tank.

“This is the third – and last – of the three VOC product tanks to be completed as part of the expansion project,” says Triplett. “Another component of the project was the demolition of the existing storm water tank and construction of a new storm water tank. Because Tank T-203 is built on the same footprint as the old storm water tank, we needed to construct a new storm water tank and place it into service before demolishing the existing storm water tank. Demolition of the riveted storm water tank was routine, but the removal and disposal of the eight feet of sludge built up over 50 plus years was not. With a good plan and a good contractor, the sludge was disposed of, in keeping with state and EPA regulations.”

Tank T-203 is scheduled to be mechanically complete by July 24^th. Triplett and his team are currently in the process of hydro-testing the tank. This is done by filling the tank with water in stages (one-quarter full, one-half, etc.) and checking for excessive and differential settlement at each stage. Once the tank is completely full of water, it sits for 24 hours so that Triplett and his team can check for leaks.

“Normally, you don’t find leaks on a new tank, but the hydro test is more about the tank’s structural integrity”, explains Triplett. “Once it’s been hydro-tested, we can drain the water, clean it out, and it’s ready for service.”

Triplett says everything is currently on schedule for a late July completion of the tank and the 2007 Galena Park construction project. Congratulations to the team that brought this project in on time and on budget!