Preventing static electricity and lightning-related hazards such as step/touch voltage, lightning fire, equipment damage, etc. is achieved by installing an effective Lightning Protection System (LPS) on the structure of concern. The effectiveness of such a Lightning Protection System is dependent on the nature and the thoroughness of the design of the grounding and bonding system implemented on and around the structure and how well it is maintained after installation. Floating roof tanks are extremely susceptible to not only direct lightning strikes but nearby currents as well. The shell of these structures commonly discharges currents more rapidly than the floating roofs. Studies have shown that lightning-related issues cause 31% of all floating roof tank fires. A single lightning incident could result in the loss of life, product and production time, avoidable incident review time, damaged equipment, wasted repair cost, bad publicity, and loss of income. To prevent this from happening, LEC recommends that both Dissipation Array Systems and Retractable Grounding Assemblies to maximize fuel tank lightning protection.
Benefits of installing Retractable Grounding Assembly (RGA 750 – Generation 2):
By taking these proactive steps with Lightning Eliminators for fuel tank lightning protection to protect greatly reduce your facility’s exposure to fire, and created a safer environment. Not just any solution, but the right fuel tank lightning protection solution from LEC can solve this industry-wide problem.
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As we see temperatures rise, the threat of lightning is expected to increase in areas that become warmer and drier. One lightning strike can cost an Oil and Gas manufacturing company anywhere from $500,000 or more depending on the size and type of facility. While the cost of a lightning strike can be prohibitive, Fuel Tank Lightning protection costs a mere fraction of that. It doesn’t matter what part of the world you are in or how often lightning events happen in your area, it only takes one strike to destroy precious product. In a lightning strike that terminates on or near a floating roof tank (FRT), for example, the current will flow in all directions and will vary in proportion to the lowest path of impedance. One unexpected arc across the roof-shell interface could ignite the fumes that are almost always present and as a consequence put that tank and an entire facility in immediate danger. To combat the risk of rim fires, the industry has been using metal strips called “shunts” that electrically bond the shell and roof of the tank. Unfortunately, the bond that these shunts establish is unreliable and creates a greater risk of sustained arcs due to:
The Retractable Grounding Assembly (RGA) patented by Lightning Eliminators & Consultant Inc.
It’s a retractable bypass conductor made specifically for FRT’s. Installation of bypass conductors is inexpensive and can be done on in-service tanks. Installing RGA’s on FRT’s will eliminate the arcing at the shunts and other roof-shell interfaces caused by the slow components of the lightning stroke. Therefore, installing RGA’s will substantially reduce or eliminate the risk of lightning related tank fires on FRTs. As always, if you have any questions or require additional information on Fuel Tank Lightning Protection, feel free to call us. Not all lightning strikes require direct contact to damage exposed oilfield and fuel tanks. A nearby lightning strike can create a chain reaction promoting fire/explosion to an entire site’s tanks, fluids and equipment. The generation of electric charges, their accumulation on material, and the process of dissipating these accumulated charges cause static electricity hazards. Sparks from static electricity are a significant source of ignition. For an electrostatic charge to be a source of ignition, four conditions must be present:
The possibility of a static discharge between the liquid surface and the tank shell, roof supports, or other appurtenances is related to the static-generating qualities of the liquid in the tank. Refined petroleum products that tend to retain static charges can introduce a greater risk of static ignition unless they are handled properly. Exposure from lightning strikes and build-up of static electricity is a major source of fire and tank explosion, or it may be secondary effect from a direct or nearby lightning strike. Fuel tank lightning protection system is the best proactive measure that is taken to avoid such incidents. Below are some more measures to handle such liquid properly.
LEC’s fuel tank lightning protection system For floating roof tanks, LEC’s retractable grounding assembly (RGA) will provide a positive electrical bond between the roof and shell of the tank. To protect against direct lightning strikes to any type of tank, LEC can provide a dissipation array system (DAS) in a variety of configurations, depending on the geometry of the tank. The DAS will continuously dissipate the electrical charge that accumulates on a tank during a thunderstorm, thus preventing the termination of a strike to the tank. Each DAS is custom designed to fit the tank exactly. You have choices in how to protect your assets. Contact us to discuss your options for fuel tank lightning protection system. |
AuthorLightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc. (LEC) serves its clients by installing and maintaining lightning protection systems (LPS), and prevention solutions. Equipped with over four decades of experience, LEC has provided successful support to over 90 countries and throughout the United States. Archives
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