Containment of a Diesel Tank

Containment of a Diesel Tank

Containment refers to the safety systems put in place to prevent diesel spills or leaks from contaminating the surrounding environment. This is especially important for above-ground (OTG) diesel storage tanks.

There are typically two types of containment systems:

1. Primary Containment

This is the tank itself — made of steel or other materials — that holds the diesel.

2. Secondary Containment

This is the backup system that catches leaks or spills if the primary tank fails. Common types include:

Bund walls or bunded areas: A wall or enclosure (usually concrete or steel) built around the tank to catch spills.

Typically designed to hold 110% to 120% of the tank’s volume.

Double-walled tanks: Tanks with an outer shell to contain any leakage from the inner tank.

Spill containment pallets: For smaller portable tanks.

Why Containment is Important

Environmental protection: Prevents soil and water contamination.

Fire safety: Diesel is flammable — spills increase fire risk.

Regulatory compliance: Required by environmental and fire safety regulations.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE 

WORKING ON ELECTRAL PANELS

 Use Proper PPE :

1.  Helmet 
2.  Safety Shoes 
3.  Gloves 
4. Goggles
5.  Full face mask if working on live panel
6.   No tie 
7.  No rings on finger/ kada 

 

Electrical power must be removed when electrical equipment is inspected, serviced, or repaired. Equipment is locked out and tagged out before any preventive maintenance or servicing is performed.

 Lockout is the process of removing the source of electrical power and installing a lock which prevents the power from being turned ON.

 Tagout is the process of placing a danger tag on the source of electrical power which indicates that the equipment may not be operated until the danger tag is removed. 

A danger tag has the same importance and purpose as a lock and is used alone only when a lock does not fit the disconnect device. The danger tag shall be attached at the disconnect device with a tag tie or equivalent and shall have space for the worker's name, craft, and other required information. A danger tag must withstand the elements and expected atmosphere for as long as the tag remains in place. A lockout/tagout is used when-

•  Servicing electrical equipment that does not require power to be ON to perform the service .
• Removing or bypassing a machine guard or other safety device.
•  The possibility exists of being injured or caught in moving machinery .
• Clearing jammed equipment.
•  The danger exists of being injured if equipment power is turned ON.

 A lockout/tagout shall not be removed by any person other than the person that installed it, except in an emergency. In an emergency, the lockout/tagout may be removed only by authorized personnel. Always remember- Use a lockout and tagout when possible PREPARE & PREVENT, INSTEAD OF REPAIR & REPENT

 Use a tagout when a lockout is impractical. A tagout is used alone only when a lock does not fit the disconnect device Use a multiple lockout when individual employee lockout of equipment is impractical Notify all employees affected before using a lockout/tagout Remove all power sources including primary and secondary Measure for voltage using a voltmeter to ensure that power is OFF Ø Lockout devices are lightweight enclosures that allow the lockout of standard control devices. Lockout devices are available in various shapes and sizes that allow for the lockout of ball valves, gate valves, and electrical equipment such as plugs, disconnects, etc. Ø Use proper/appropriate insulated tools. Ø Check earth connection on Panel. Ø Carry out necessary repairs / PMS as per activity codes & schedules. Ø After completion supervisors must check/inspect the panel/feeder panel for any tool/loose item in the panel. And take the panel/feeder panel in service. 

Note: Only trained Electrician/Supervisor is authorized to work on LT/HT Panel.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HOT WORK

 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HOT WORK

Use Proper PPE

• Helmet  
• Safety Shoes 
• Gloves 
• Ear Plug
• Goggles. 
• Welders glass 
• No tie 
• No rings on finger/ kada

 Definition of hot work - work with flame cutting apparatus, oxyacetylene welding apparatus, electric welding apparatus, blow lamps, grinding equipment, any other equipment producing flame, intense heat or sparks. Wherever possible & feasible, hot work shall be carried-out in designated workshop. 

 HOT WORK shall be permitted only from 9 am to 6 pm. 

1.  Obtain hot works permit dually signed by FSO & BM. 
2.  Follow ALL required precautions listed on Permit. 
3.  Ensure that the correct Personal Protective Equipment is worn in relation to the task being carried out. 
4.  Hot-work equipment is in good CONDITION and adequately secured. 
5.  Designated place shall be earmarked by FSO with proper barricading and Fire Extinguishers. 
6.  Ensure that the designated area for welding is not in close vicinity of parked car/vehicle (safe distance at least 10 Meters). 
7.  FSO / Security guard shall be present throughout AT SITE till the job is completed & for 30 minutes after work. 
8.  FSO shall ensure that the job site’s Sprinklers are functional in all respect and Detectors are in working condition. PREPARE & PREVENT, INSTEAD OF REPAIR & REPENT 
9.  Housekeeping of the Job Site shall ensure removal of all inflammable or any other material. 
10.  If HOT work is to be carried out in any shaft, then complete shaft including it’s pit has to be completely clean. 
11.  Where work is above floor level, non-combustible curtains or sheets suspended beneath the work to collect sparks. 
12.  All gaps in walls and floors through which sparks could pass covered with sheets of non-combustible materials. 
13.  Smoke/heat detectors that could be affected by the “Hot Work” operation must either be isolated by the electricians. 
14.  In both cases, Security must be informed that smoke/heat detectors are not in operation. When the work has been completed the smoke/heat detector must be put back into operation. 
15.  Once the Hot work is over, the agency shall take out welding machine / grinding machine / gas cutting torch / Gas Cylinders etc from site (out of Building) on immediate basis. Building Manager has to ensure this. In fact, Building In charges shall account for the inventory of such equipments inside the building.

Medium Voltage Switchgear Complete Guide

 Medium Voltage Switchgear Complete Guide

Medium Voltage Switchgear refers to electrical switchgear systems designed to operate in the medium voltage range, typically from 1 kV to 36 kV (some definitions go up to 72.5 kV).

MV switchgear plays a key role in controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical equipment in power distribution systems—especially for utilities, industrial facilities, and large buildings.

 Main Components

•  Circuit breakers (often vacuum or SF₆ type)
•  Disconnect switches
•  Current and voltage transformers
•  Protection relays
•  Busbars and cables

Applications

•  Utility substations
•  Industrial plants
•  Commercial buildings
•  Renewable energy plants (solar/wind)
•  Data centers

 Key Benefits

•  Improved safety through automation and arc protection.
•  Minimized downtime via fault isolation.
•  Scalability for growing power demands.
•  Remote monitoring/control (in modern systems with SCADA integration).

Transformers work only with AC (alternating current) and not with DC (direct current) because of how they operate:

 Transformers work only with AC (alternating current) and not with DC (direct current) because of how they operate:

How Transformers Work 
A transformer uses electromagnetic induction.

An AC current in the primary coil creates a changing magnetic field.

This changing magnetic field induces a voltage in the secondary coil.

Why DC Doesn't Work:

DC is constant (it doesn't change direction or magnitude).

A constant magnetic field from DC doesn't induce a changing magnetic field.

Without a changing field, no voltage is induced in the secondary coil.

So, no energy transfer happens.

What Happens if You Use DC:

If you apply pure DC to a transformer:

It will only induce a voltage for a brief moment (when switching it on or off).

Then, nothing happens.

Worse, the transformer can overheat or burn out because DC causes a constant current, which creates heat in the coil but no useful induction.

So in short:
Transformers need changing magnetic fields → AC provides that → DC doesn't