CHAPTER 10 TANK REPAIR AND CALIBRATION

TM 5-5430-209-12

CHAPTER 10

TANK REPAIR AND CALIBRATION

Section I. NORMAL PROCEDURES

10-1. General

(3) If leak cannot be corrected by tightening the

bolts; refer to Chapter 9, disassemble and re-erect the

Most leaks in bolted steel tanks occur at bolted

tank using the appropriate re-erection kit.

connections in the bottom plates and in an area of the

b. Leaks caused by Small Arms Fire. Holes in the

side staves within two feet of the bottom. These leaks

tank inflicted by small arms fire can be patched by using

are usually caused by erosion of the foundation material

bolt replacement plugs. Refer to paragraph 3-4 for

which no longer provides the required support for the

installation of bolt replacement plugs.

bottom and side stave plates. Weeping of several tank

joints is not uncommon. A wetted area is formed and

10-3. Burned-Out Tanks

the tank is discolored. However, fuel never reaches the

ground due to evaporation.

Components of tanks which have burned out are usually

10-2. Repair of Leaking Tanks

unfit for salvage because of buckled plates. Any tank

a. Leaks at Bolted Connections.

which has burned out must be completely dismantled

because fire and heat destroy the gasket material.

(1) Locate point(s) of leakage.

Disassemble and re-erect the tank using new gaskets,

(2) If possible, apply additional torque to existing

nuts and bolts as instructed in Chapter 9. Use new

bolts in area of the leak. Tighten bolts just enough to

metal plates if old ones cannot be readily repaired.

stop the leak.

Section II. ALTERNATE METHOD OF BOTTOM REPAIR FPR 3000-AND 10,000-BARREL CAPACITY TANKS.

10-4. General

circulation of air through the tank. Check for trapped

airborne lead vapors.

This section contains an alternate method for tank

c. Clean the tank as instructed in TM 10-1109.

bottom repair on 3000- and 10,000-barrel capacity

d. Perform any work required to raise the heights

tanks. Use of this alternate method, which employs a

of the cleanout cover, water drawoff valve, and pipe

concrete cap over the original bottom, is limited to tanks

connections to compensate for increased height of tank

used to store petroleum products.

NOTE

bottoms after installation of concrete cap.

10-6. Installation

Utilization of this technique completely

a. Surface Preparation. The tank bottom, center

eliminates the capability of the tank to be

support base, and side staves, to a height of 24 inches,

totally disassembled and reerected

should be prepared as follows:

Therefore.

it is used only when

(1) Clean the surface to be prepared by dry

permitted by the tactical situation.

10-5. Preparation

abrasive blast cleaning in accordance with Steel

Structures Painting Council Specification SSPC-SP5-63,

a. Completely drain contents of tank.

No. 5.

(1) Use extreme caution in opening and venting

(2) Seal the prepared surface with an epoxy

the tank so as not to create a spark which might ignite

coating per MIL-L-2638C (tanks used in U.S. Army) or

explosive vapors. Do not smoke or light inflammables

MIL-C-4556D (tanks used by U.S. Air Force).

near the tank.

b. Installation of Concrete Cap.

(2) Open pressure vacuum valve and emergency

(1) Refer to table 10-1 for material required to

vent in the tank.

install the concrete cap.

b. Remove cleanout cover and allow tank to vent

until all fumes and vapors have dissipated.

Use

windsails directed into the cleanout opening to aid in

10-1