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March
2017
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HYDROCARBON
ENGINEERING
W
ithin the downstream oil, gas and petrochemical
storage industry, storage terminals are
increasingly turning to 3D laser scanning for the
purpose of obtaining accurate tank data. This
innovative technological advancement assists in the efficient
day-to-day running of storage facilities; including engineering,
maintenance and expansion. Traditionally, equipment that has
been used when gathering tank shell data requires contact
with the shell plates in order to measure the thickness.
Temporary access platforms can therefore be required, in
some cases, otherwise contact instruments can be limited to
movement between natural obstructions, such as tank
Colin Pittman, Advanced 3D Laser
Solutions Ltd, UK,
examines the
use of laser scanning technology in
the downstream storage industry,
and how it aids in high accuracy
tank calibration.