Instruments for Storage Tanks and Vessels IP 15-1-3

INTERNATIONAL Page 1 of 4
PRACTICE
Rev. 0 June 1997

SCOPE
I 1.1 This practice covers the design, selection, and application of instrumentation for atmospheric storage
tanks, pressure storage vessels, and refrigerated storage tanks. Not included are normal onsite surge
vessels closely associated with process units and considered unit pressure vessels.
Requirements for tank blanketing and water draw-off instrumentation, and manual tank gauging equipment
are not covered in this practice.
I 1.2 An asterisk (V) indicates that a decision by the Owner’s Engineer or purchaser is required, that additional
information is to be furnished by the Owner’s Engineer, or that information for Owner’s Engineer approval
is to be supplied by the vendor or contractor.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

I 2.1 Table 1 lists the practices and standards which shall be used with this practice.

TABLE 1

PRACTICES

IP 3-6-1 Piping for Instruments

IP 9-7-1 Accessories for Atmospheric Storage Tanks
IP 15-2-1 Temperature Instruments
IP 15-3-1 Pressure Instruments
IP 15-5-1 Level Instruments

STANDARDS

API Standard
RP 551 Instrumentation and Control Manuals for Refinery Service - RP 551 Process Measurement
Instrumentation (All Sections)
2545 Method of Gauging Petroleum and Petroleum Products (ANSI/ASTM D1085)
Section 1B Standard Practice for Level Measurement of Liquid Hydrocarbons in Stationary Tanks by
Automatic Tank Gauging
Section 3 Standard Practice for Level Measurement of Liquid Hydrocarbons in Stationary Pressurized
Storage Tanks by Automatic Tank Gauging
Chapter 7.4 Static Temperature Determination using Fixed Automatic Tank Thermometers
API MPMS Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (Chapter 3 Tank Gauging)

DEFINITIONS
I 3.1 Pressure Storage Vessels are above-ground pressurized spheres, bullets, and horizontal and vertical
drums, used for the storage of toxic and/or flammable liquids (such as LPG and ammonia), designed for
pressures greater than 2.5 psig (17 kPa gage). Not included are normal onsite surge vessels closely
associated with process units and considered unit pressure vessels.
I 3.2 Refrigerated Storage Tanks are above-ground storage tanks and spheres operating at metal
temperatures between +40°F and -270°F (+5°C and -168°C) and at pressures not exceeding 15 psig (103
kPa gage).
I 3.3 Flammable Liquids are low flash point liquids [flash point below 100°F (38°C)] (such as gasoline, some
jet fuels, etc.) and high flash point liquids [flash point 100°F (38°C) or higher] when handled at
temperatures above or within 15°F (8°C) of their flash point (such as some heated asphalts). Crude oils
are not included.
I 3.4 Combustible Liquids are high flash point liquids [flash point of 100°F (38°C) or higher] (such as
kerosene, some jet fuels, heating oils, heavy fuel oils, lubricating oils, transformer oils, and some asphalts)
when handled at temperatures more than 15°F (8°C) below their flash points.
I 3.5 Crude Oils are hydrocarbon mixtures which have not been processed in an oil refinery. This category also
includes other wide boiling range stocks which may boil-over during a tankage fire.
I 3.6 Refer to applicable national codes and standards for definitions of Hazardous and Toxic Materials.

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
 IP 15-1-3 Instruments for Storage Tanks and Vessels
Page 2 of 4 INTERNATIONAL
Rev. 0 June 1997 PRACTICE

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

I,C 4.1 All level gauging and temperature sensing devices to be installed on any new or existing atmospheric
storage tanks, pressure storage vessels and refrigerated storage tanks in existing facilities shall be
designed to match existing equipment to the maximum extent possible. Exceptions must be approved by
the Owner’s Engineer.
R 4.2 All Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) Systems and associated components, data transmission system, etc.,
shall incorporate lightning protection surge arrestors or shall otherwise be inherently designed to resist
damage due to lightning strikes.

LEVEL INSTRUMENTS
I V
4.3 Automatic level gauging instruments shall be float, servo-operated, radar, displacer, or differential-
pressure type, and shall be designed for continuous operation. The Owner’s Engineer shall approve all
installations.
V
Proposals to use other types of automatic level gauging instruments, such as capacitive, ultrasonic, or
magnetostrictive, shall be submitted to the Owner’s Engineer for prior approval.
S,E 4.4 The use of level gauge glasses on atmospheric storage tanks, pressure storage vessels, and refrigerated
storage tanks is prohibited.
I V
4.5 Servo-operated or radar type gauges are the preferred measurement method for product sales, custody-
transfer, and internal inventory accounting applications. Automatic level gauge selection shall be
reviewed/approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
I 4.6 Automatic level gauges (Servo, Radar, Floats) shall be capable of measuring level to ± 1/8 in. (± 3
mm).
Differential pressure type instruments, which provide inferential rather than direct level gauging, shall
be capable of measuring level to ± 1 in. (± 25 mm).
V
For custody transfer applications, the gauging system (i.e., level gauge, signal transmission and data-
acquisition system) shall be designed to meet the accuracy specified by the applicable Exxon regional
“Hydrocarbon Measurement” manual.
O 4.7 Level gauging instruments shall be equipped with a level indicator readable from grade for each
atmospheric storage tank, pressure storage vessel, and refrigerated storage tank. Exceptions must be
approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
M 4.8 Level gauges and alarm devices shall be located such that all external components of the gauge and
alarm device are accessible for maintenance from grade or a permanent platform. The tank roof or wind
girder is not considered a permanent platform.
O V
4.9 A stilling well is required for all internal level gauging devices, unless specified otherwise by the Owner’s
Engineer. Stilling wells for float, servo-operated, and radar gauges shall be designed in accordance with
IP 9-7-1.

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
O 4.10 Temperature indication shall be provided for each atmospheric storage tank, pressure storage vessel
and refrigerated storage tank.
V
Where an accurate volume measurement is required (e.g., sales or custody transfer applications) a
resistance temperature detector (RTD) shall be specified and provided with remote indication at a location
specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
Overall accuracy of the measurement system, including the sensor, signal transmission, and readout
devices, shall be ± 1.25°F (0.7°C). This accuracy does not include errors due to the placement of the
thermowell or temperature stratification in the tank.
I V
4.11 Single point temperature measurement shall be used for unheated, low-viscosity (below 36 centistokes)
products and continuously heated fuel oils. For tanks containing other products, as well as where density
stratification exists, the measurement technique to be used (e.g., multi-element temperature measurement
system) shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
 Instruments for Storage Tanks and Vessels IP 15-1-3
INTERNATIONAL Page 3 of 4
PRACTICE Rev. 0 June 1997

I,O 4.12 Installation of the single point temperature sensor shall be in a “close fitting” thermowell (i.e., thermowell
bore is matched to sensor OD), and shall be implemented as follows:
a. Fixed roof tanks without internal floating covers. The thermowell shall be located at least 5 ft
(1.5 m) up from the tank bottom, with a minimum 36 in. (1 m) U-length. Flanged thermowells are
preferred.
V b. Floating roof tanks and fixed roof tanks with internal floating covers for materials other than
Crude Oils. The design of the thermowell installation shall provide for the roof to go to its lowest
operating position, and shall be approved by the Owner’s Engineer. The preferred sensing point
shall be at least 5 ft (1.5 m) up from the tank bottom. The thermowell shall have a minimum 36 in. (1
m) U-length.
V c. Crude Oil tanks. The thermowell should be located at least 3 ft (1 m) above the maximum level of
sludge and water in the tank bottom, with a minimum 36 in. (1 m) U-length. The maximum
sludge/water level shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer for each tank. For floating roof tanks,
the design of the thermowell installation shall provide for the roof to go to its lowest operating
position, and shall be approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
I, O 4.13 A dial thermometer in a thermowell shall be installed near the bottom of each atmospheric storage tank,
pressure storage vessel and refrigerated storage tank, or adjacent to the single point temperature sensor
where provided, to serve as a local indicator.
The indicator and its thermowell shall be at the same height and immersion length as specified for the single
point sensor, and located in close proximity to the automatic level gauge.
I 4.14 For heated tanks, all thermowells for temperature measurement or control shall be offset at least 5 ft
(1.5 m) from the heater inlet and outlet connections, and preferably at the same location as the dial
thermometer.

ALARMS
S,E 4.15 An independent high level switch shall be installed on each pressure storage vessel and refrigerated
storage tank. For each atmospheric storage tank an independent switch shall be installed as follows:
a. Tanks that store crude oils or materials with a flash point of 100°F (38°C) or lower.
b. Tanks that contain toxic or hazardous substances.
V c. Tanks in other services where an overfill would result in an unacceptable consequence.
V The switch shall operate either an alarm only, or an emergency cutout with associated alarm. The need for
emergency cutouts shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
S,O 4.16 The following operating and design criteria shall apply to the independent level switch:
a. The switch shall be physically separate from any other gauging device, and shall be attached to the
atmospheric storage tank, pressure storage vessel or refrigerated storage tank by dedicated
connection(s).
b. The switch shall be designed to be unaffected by fluctuations in specific gravity of the measured
material.
c. The alarm signal from the switch shall be transmitted separately from the Automatic Tank Gauging
(ATG) System signal.
d. A means of in-service testing of the alarm shall be provided.
V e. The level switch setpoint shall be above the normal maximum filling height to prevent the alarm from
sounding during normal tank operations. The normal maximum filling height shall be specified by
the Owner’s Engineer.
V f. The alarm priority, either 1 or 2, shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
V Proposals to combine the alarm signal with the tank gauging data transmission will be considered if the
system is self-checking, fail-safe, and provides diagnostic alarms. Proposals shall be subject to prior review
and approval by the Owner’s Engineer.

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
 IP 15-1-3 Instruments for Storage Tanks and Vessels
Page 4 of 4
INTERNATIONAL
Rev. 0 June 1997 PRACTICE

S,O 4.17 Requirements for alarms generated from the Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) System are as follows:
a. A high level alarm shall be provided for each atmospheric storage tank, pressure storage vessel,
and refrigerated storage tank. This alarm shall be set to allow personnel sufficient time to stop filling
without exceeding the permissible filling height.
b. Alarms, including those associated with operational cutouts, shall be located so they are audible and
visible to personnel controlling the filling/emptying operations.
c. Specification of an automatic operational cutout shall not void the requirement for a high level alarm,
or the independent high level switch. The high level alarm shall then be a “pre-alarm” to the alarm
specified in Par. 4.15.
S,O 4.18 When tankage is controlled by one process operating area and physically located within a separate
process operating area, all alarms associated with that tankage shall be transmitted to the control
rooms/consoles of both process operating areas. Exceptions shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR

PRESSURE STORAGE VESSELS AND REFRIGERATED STORAGE TANKS
S,O 5.1 Two independent, preferably different type, liquid level measuring instruments shall be provided for each
pressure storage vessel and refrigerated storage tank. Radar or servo-type level gauges are preferred for
the primary measurement. Radar, servo-type, or differential pressure level instruments are acceptable for
the second measurement.
As a minimum, one of the two instruments shall have remote readout at a manned location, with the other
instrument having a local indicator at grade.
S,M 5.2 Each level measuring instrument shall be capable of being checked and repaired while the pressure
storage vessel or refrigerated storage tank is in service. Except for differential pressure type level
instruments, installation of these instruments shall provide a stilling well and isolation valve with chamber for
inspection, maintenance, and replacement of gauge components.
O 5.3 A pressure gauge shall be installed in the top of each pressure storage vessel and refrigerated storage
tank.
S,E 5.4 A high pressure alarm shall be provided for each pressure storage vessel and refrigerated storage tank
having safety relief valve(s) which vent to the atmosphere.
S,O 5.5 The following instrumentation shall be provided for each refrigerated storage tank:
a. Pressure alarms to indicate a condition of high pressure or low pressure.
b. A low pressure cutout with alarm on compressors and associated refrigeration equipment.
c. An independent high level cutout with alarm, which shall automatically shut off the fill line.

Revision Memo
9/68 Original Issue of Basic Practice
6/70 Revision 1
6/84 Revision 3
1/79 Revision 2
12/91 Revision 4
6/97 Revision 0 - Original Issue of International Practice
General technical and editorial update to align IP with other company standards and to substitute/update API RP 551
for API RP 500 (withdrawn). Specific revisions include revised Par. 1.1 and 1.2 to clarify scope. Revised Par. 2.1 to
update applicable standards and practices. Added new Section 3 and Par. 3.1 - 3.6 to consolidate definitions. Added
New Par. 4.1 for constancy with existing systems. Added New Par. 4.2 to incorporate lightning protection. Added
New Par. 4.7 clarifying level indicator readable from grade.

 Exxon Research and Engineering Company, 1991, 1997

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.