The necessity of providing a reserved pump well for the submersible pump inside low-temperature storage tanks
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Dear sea industry professionals: Regarding the installation of submersible pumps in large low-temperature liquid hydrocarbon storage tanks, some design institutes take into account the need to reserve space for pump wells, while others do not. What are the main factors considered when deciding to reserve space for pump wells? Personally, I think that if we do not take into account future development needs and the requirement to improve the liquid discharge capacity of low-temperature storage tanks, then is it unnecessary to consider additional pump wells for other reasons?
Another factor to consider is that during maintenance, the liquid can be pumped out, allowing for a lower residual liquid level to be maintained~~
The reserved pump well wasn’t designed with this in mind, right? After all, this issue should be taken into account for the pump wells that are actually in use Otherwise, it makes no sense to reserve a pump well; would we have to install another pump just to draw the liquid level even lower? (For future maintenance purposes, the remaining liquid in the tank still needs to be emptied through vaporization.) Personally, I think the purpose of reserving a pump well is to meet future development needs; the liquid output may need to increase in the future (though it’s not necessary at this stage). The decision is mainly driven by the desire to save on project investment, while also allowing for an increase in the liquid output capacity of the storage tanks in the future – thereby avoiding the technical difficulties and challenges associated with modifying or replacing those tanks.
I think that’s also the case; low-temperature tanks are generally not opened after they’re built
I think the main considerations are pump failures and difficulties in maintenance. You can’t wait until all the liquid hydrocarbons have vaporized before carrying out maintenance, right?