The Challenge

The main challenge of the project was the complete degassing and inerting of 6 floating roof tanks containing 95 and 98 gasoline located at the EPT of Cartagena Repsol Refinery.Therefore, the main goal was to prevent the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere and guarantee the absence of explosiveness during subsequent maintenance work.

Consequently, this allowed Repsol to undertake maintenance work without the need to clean and take the tanks out of service. This service was particularly difficult due to the high volatility and the emissions of the products stored in the tanks.

DOMINION's +

Our team installed a portable gas combustion system (VCU) that suctions and eliminates emissions, primarily Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released by the gasoline in the tanks. Simultaneously, the inerting of all tanks was performed by injecting nitrogen using a nitrogen generator until an internal atmosphere with less than 8% oxygen was achieved and maintained throughout the maintenance operation.

Both devices are designed and manufactured by DOMINION. Repsol aimed to prevent gas emissions that could create an explosive atmosphere, both during the emptying of the tanks and the subsequent maintenance work.Therefore, the key objective was to maintain an anoxic atmosphere inside the tanks while removing most of the VOCs generated during gasoline storage and emptying through controlled combustion.

The process of degassing and inerting gasoline tanks has allowed us to significantly reduce the time required to achieve the necessary conditions to carry out the work, guaranteeing the safety of the operation and reducing VOC emissions compared to our conventional techniques. The Dominion team has shown great commitment and involvement in the work, as well as excellent collaboration with the Repsol staff.” – Repsol Petróleo C.I. Cartagena

Results

Repsol successfully carried out maintenance work in a safe atmosphere while preventing VOC emissions into the environment.