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TCR's Inspection Strategies for Aboveground Storage Tanks

Storage tanks are critical assets in the oil & gas, petrochemical, and power industries, serving as reservoirs for hydrocarbons, chemicals, and water. Ensuring their structural integrity is essential to prevent leaks, reduce operational risks, and maximize asset lifespan.


TCR specializes in comprehensive tank integrity inspections in India and Saudi Arabia, offering advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions to detect corrosion, structural defects, and potential failure points. TCR's well-executed inspection strategy not only enhances safety but also optimizes maintenance costs, extends inspection intervals, and improves overall efficiency.


TCR's expertise spans multiple cutting-edge techniques, including:


  • Acoustic Emission (AE) Testing – Early-stage detection of structural weaknesses in tank bottoms.

  • Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) Testing – High-sensitivity corrosion detection for tank floor plates.

  • Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) – Precision weld inspections for tank shells and roofs.

  • Radiographic Testing (RT) – High-resolution imaging for tee joints and horizontal welds.

  • Vacuum Box Testing – Leak detection for tank bottom plate welds.

  • Robotic Inspection – ATEX-certified robotic solutions for in-service hydrocarbon and firewater tank inspections.

  • API 653 Certified Inspections – Compliance-based evaluations to ensure adherence to industry standards.


By integrating modern inspection technologies with global best practices such as EEMUA 159 and API 653, TCR helps tank owners develop proactive maintenance strategies that minimize downtime and optimize asset performance. Our innovative approach leverages real-time data analysis, advanced defect detection, and automated inspection methodologies to provide actionable insights and long-term reliability.


With growing advancements in NDT, selecting the right combination of inspection techniques is crucial. At TCR, we tailor our solutions to meet the specific needs of each client, ensuring a comprehensive and cost-effective integrity assessment.


TCR’s Advanced NDT Solutions for Storage Tank Integrity


Acoustic Emission for Tank Bottom Inspection

TCR undertakes Acoustic Emission Testing (AET) which is a powerful NDT technique that leverages sound waves emitted by materials under stress. This technique offers:

  • Early-Stage Damage Detection: Identifies fiber breakages, impacts, cracking, delamination, and corrosion in their initial stages.

  • In-Service Monitoring: Enables continuous monitoring without operational interruptions.

  • Real-Time Data Analysis: Provides instant insights for proactive decision-making.

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Utilizes a sensor network to inspect large areas simultaneously.

  • Hazardous Environment Capability: Can be deployed in high-temperature, high-pressure, or corrosive environments.

  • Remote and Non-Invasive Inspection: Reduces equipment downtime and access constraints.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Prevents unscheduled downtimes, reducing maintenance expenses.


Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) for Tank Floor Plate Corrosion Detection

MFL is the most commonly used technology by TCR in India and GCC for tank bottom plate inspection due to its:

  • High sensitivity to corrosion pitting

  • Near 100% coverage efficiency

  • Advanced defect quantification using Phased Array Ultrasonics (PAUT) for accurate integrity assessments


Phased Array UT (PAUT) for Tank Shell and Roof Weld Inspection

TCR undertakes Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) to inspect welds on tank shells and roofs with exceptional accuracy. PAUT enhances defect detection by utilizing multiple ultrasonic beams at different angles, offering a complete volumetric assessment of weld integrity.

Key Advantages of PAUT:

  1. High Precision Defect Detection:

    • Identifies cracks, porosity, and lack of fusion in welds with superior accuracy compared to conventional UT methods.

  2. Corrosion Mapping for Preventive Maintenance:

    • Provides high-resolution corrosion mapping to detect thinning areas on tank shells, preventing potential failures.

  3. Automated Inspection with Data Recording:

    • Modern PAUT scanners can be integrated with automated crawlers, capturing thousands of thickness measurements and weld defect data, ensuring traceability and auditability.


Robotic Inspection for Hydrocarbon & Firewater Tanks

TCR employs custom developed Robots from its sister company which are ATEX-certified and PESO-approved capable of operating in explosive and hazardous environments.


This solution has been successfully conducting robotic inspections for oil refineries, LNG terminals, petrochemical complexes, and power plants, ensuring regulatory compliance with API 653 and RP 575.


Vacuum Box Test for Tank Bottom Integrity

TCR undertakes conventional Vacuum Box Test for detecting leaks in tank bottom plate welds and shell-to-bottom welds, ensuring compliance with API and international standards.


API 653 Inspectors for Compliance & Structural Assessments

TCR’s certified API 653 inspectors specialize in the examination and repair of aboveground storage tanks, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards.


TCR's Inspectors Role:

  • Visual Inspection: Assessment of tank exterior, roof, shell, nozzles, and structural integrity

  • Supervise Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Use of Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UTT) and Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT), PAUT, AE, MFL

  • Documentation Review: Analysis of maintenance records and inspection history

  • Final Report & Recommendations: A structured action plan for repairs, maintenance, and compliance


TCR's storage tank inspection solution

Why Choose TCR for Storage Tank Integrity Inspections?

TCR is a global leader in advanced NDT solutions for industrial assets, ensuring safety, compliance, and longevity of critical infrastructure. Our specialized expertise in robotic inspections, ultrasonic testing, and API compliance enables faster, safer, and more cost-effective tank integrity management.


Key Benefits of Partnering with TCR:

  • Innovative Robotic & Automated NDT Solutions

  • Enhanced Probability of Detection (PoD) with Advanced PAUT & MFL

  • API 653 Certified Inspectors Ensuring Compliance & Reliability

  • Cost-Effective Asset Integrity Management & Predictive Maintenance Strategies

  • Reduction of Downtime, Work-at-Height, and Confined Space Entry Hazards


By leveraging TCR’s comprehensive storage tank integrity inspection services, asset owners can optimize maintenance cycles, extend tank lifespans, and prevent costly environmental hazards. Our commitment to cutting-edge NDT technology, regulatory compliance, and operational safety makes TCR the trusted partner for industry leaders worldwide.


For more information, contact TCR Engineering today and safeguard your aboveground storage tanks with the most advanced integrity inspection techniques available.


TCR Engineering | Ensuring Structural Integrity, One Tank at a Time

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