The liquid collection tank is the condensate gathering point of the gas-phase pipeline. With a well selected location, the condensate can flow smoothly into the tank and be easily extracted; Poor selection, pipeline storage and inspection are troublesome, and it is also prone to freezing and blockage in winter. This article explains the logic of location selection, key configuration points, determination of pumping cycle, and management details in one go, which is applicable to both new and renovated stations.
The collection tank is placed at a low elevation on the gas phase pipeline, allowing the condensate to naturally flow in along the slope without relying on additional power. The tank location is close to the station road or maintenance channel, and the liquid extraction truck can park nearby. There is space for opening and operating the tank in front.
The low "low" is relative to the slope direction of the pipeline, not the lowest point of the entire site - the lowest point of the entire site may be under the roadway or far away from the gas-phase pipeline, where the condensate cannot reach the tank and the operation is inconvenient. The correct approach is to find the natural convergence point of the condensate along the slope of the gas-phase pipeline, taking into account the accessibility of the vehicle. When the two conditions conflict, priority should be given to maintaining the slope direction, and the operating channel can be accommodated by modifying the pipeline.
The liquid level gauge is a standard configuration for the collection tank, and it can read the liquid level at a glance during daily inspections; The discharge valve with dual valves is more secure, and a manhole is left on the top of the tank for easy cleaning. In cold regions, tanks and heat tracing are considered based on the depth of local permafrost. In winter, the condensate carries water and freezing blockage is much more troublesome than in summer.
The configuration items and purposes are shown in the table below:
| configuration item | Function | What would happen if we skip it |
|---|---|---|
| level gauge | Visual reading of liquid level during inspection, with a basis for determining the pumping cycle | We can only estimate by opening the lid, and the pumping window depends entirely on guessing |
| Double row discharge valve | One for use and one for backup, maintain the continuous drainage path | When a single valve fails, the entire tank is passively shut down |
| Manhole on the top of the tank | Tank cleaning and internal inspection channel | Cleaning cans requires cutting, doubling the construction period and cost |
| Heat tracing insulation | Cold season antifreeze blockage | The repair cost for one frozen blockage is enough to do several years of heat tracing |
The newly put into operation station first observes the liquid level once a week and records the increase over two months to calculate the actual amount of condensate produced, and then determines the pumping cycle. Record the amount and date of each liquid extraction in the ledger. Sudden changes in liquid level are often caused by pipeline leakage of rainwater or abnormal condensate volume, which should be followed for investigation.
Seasonal cycles also need to be adjusted: in summer, the frequency of oil unloading is high, the temperature difference is large, the amount of condensate rises, and the pumping cycle is correspondingly shortened; What needs to be prevented in winter is the frost heave of the full tank and the freezing blockage of the suction pipe. It is better to wait until the tank is full before pumping. The cycle adjustment record is written into the ledger, and the annual cycle change curve itself is the annual portrait of the condensate volume, which can be directly referenced for the next year's fixed cycle.
The grounding jumper of the tank is intact, and the static grounding wire should be connected first during the liquid extraction operation; Weeding and debris removal around the tank area are included in the monthly plan. Although the liquid collection tank is small, with standardized management, the pressure of daily inspections will be much lower.
Another easily overlooked aspect of the liquid extraction operation is that the entry and exit times of the liquid extraction truck should be staggered during the refueling peak, and the management of smoking and fire around the tank mouth during the operation should be carried out according to the station's regulations. Writing these details into the homework guidebook provides a starting point for new employee training.
Not recommended. The tank under the roadway is subjected to long-term loads, and the settlement of the manhole cover can also form a water accumulation channel. The inspection and opening of the cover is also affected by traffic flow. If it is necessary to set up in a traffic area due to limited space, it is necessary to conduct load-bearing calculations and add double-layer manhole covers. At the same time, inspections and pumping should be arranged during low peak hours, and the safety cost should be carefully considered in advance.
Even if it rises slowly, it should continue to be recorded. The sudden drop in the increase is also worth paying attention to - a sharp decrease in the amount of condensate may indicate problems with the upstream slope or pipeline leaks, which may not necessarily be a good thing. The value of a ledger is to distinguish between 'slow' and 'suddenly slower', the latter of which needs to be checked.
Suggest pairing with one person. The homework involves opening the tank mouth, connecting static electricity, and moving the discharge valve. The station supervisor is responsible for surrounding surveillance and coordinating with the disconnection of the source, which is more secure than the operation of a single person by the operator. The guardianship requirements should be included in the homework confirmation form for both parties, and the responsibility interface should be clear.
LuoyangWohong PetrochemicalEquipment Co., Ltd. provides supply and installation services for collection tanks, oil and gas recovery pipelines, and other equipment. We can assist in planning tank locations and configuration lists. Please feel free to contact us for further communication.
This article is organized by Luoyang Wohong Petrochemical Equipment Co., Ltd. If you need to learn about liquid collection tanks and oil and gas recovery equipment, please feel free to contact and exchange ideas.
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