Bulk Storage Tanks Research Articles

Inactivation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus with High-temperature Short Time Continuous Flow Pasteurization and Virus Detection in Bulk Milk Tanks

Infections of dairy cattle with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) were reported in March 2024 in the U.S. and viable virus was detected at high levels in raw milk from infected cows. This study aimed to determine the potential quantities of infectious HPAIV in raw milk in affected states where herds were confirmed positive by USDA for HPAIV (and therefore were not representative of the entire population), and to confirm that the commonly used continuous flow pasteurization using the FDA approved 72 °C (161°F) for 15 s conditions for high−temperature short time (HTST) processing, will inactivate the virus. Double-blinded raw milk samples from bulk storage tanks from farms (n = 275) were collected in four affected states. Samples were screened for influenza A using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qrRT-PCR) of which 158 (57.5%) were positive and were subsequently quantified in embryonating chicken eggs. Thirty-nine qrRT-PCR positive samples (24.8%) were positive for infectious virus with a median titer of 3.5 log10 50% egg infectious doses (EID50) per mL. To closely simulate commercial milk pasteurization processing systems, a pilot-scale continuous flow pasteurizer was used to evaluate HPAIV inactivation in artificially contaminated raw milk using the most common legal conditions in the US: 72 °C (161°F) for 15 s. Among all replicates at two flow rates (n = 5 at 0.5 L/min; n = 4 at 1 L/min), no viable virus was detected. A mean reduction of ≥5.8 ± 0.2 log10 EID50/mL occurred during the heating phase where the milk is brought to 72.5 °C before the holding tube. Estimates from heat-transfer analysis support that standard U.S. continuous flow HTST pasteurization parameters will inactivate >12 log10 EID50/mL of HPAIV, which is ∼9 log10 EID50/mL greater than the median quantity of infectious virus detected in raw milk from bulk storage tank samples. These findings demonstrate that the US milk supply is safe when pasteurized.

Prevalence and antibiogram profiles of Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates recovered from three selected dairy farms in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence and antibiotics susceptibility of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 isolates from raw milk, cattle udder, milking machines and worker's hand swabs from three selected commercial dairy farms in the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. MethodsRaw milk samples were collected from bulk storage tanks and swab samples were collected from milking machines, cattle udders and worker's hands fortnightly over a six-month sampling regime between June and November 2014. A standard culture-based method was used for the enumeration and isolation of E. coli O157:H7, presumptive identification using sorbitol MacConkey agar (supplemented with cefixime (50 μg/L) and potassium tellurite (25 mg/L). A serological confirmation of the presumptive E. coli O157:H7 isolates was conducted using the O157 latex agglutination test kit. ResultsA total of 252 E. coli O157:H7 isolates were further subjected to PCR amplification of rfbEO157 and fliCH7 genes of which 27(11%) of the isolates were confirmed positive E. coli O157:H7. The percentage antibiotic resistance of the 27 E. coli O157:H7 isolates from the dairy farms revealed penicillin [23 (85%)], tetracycline [22 (81%)], erythromycin [19 (70%)], streptomycin [14 (52%)] and chloramphenicol [12 (45%)]. The highest resistances were penicillin [23 (85%)] and tetracycline [22 (81%)]. ConclusionsThese findings revealed that the dairy farms are potential reservoirs of E. coli O157:H7 serotype, and harbor antibiotic-resistant determinants, a concern to public and environmental health.

Technology Focus: Offshore Facilities (February 2016)

Technology Focus Welcome to the Offshore Facilities feature in this month’s JPT. It was my pleasure to go through 169 papers submitted to SPE in this field over the past year and select three for inclusion in this issue as well as three for additional reading. I considered making my selections along a theme, but offshore facilities is a broad category spanning vast engineering interests and challenges. The papers I chose are those I enjoyed reading. The result is a rather eclectic mix. The first paper provides a high-level look at the design and construction of the Prelude floating liquefied-natural-gas (FLNG) facilities. This is a world-class gasfield-development project taking on significant technical challenges, and the paper touches on technology selection and development, safety-design aspects, and construction activities. The intent of the developer is for Prelude to be the first of many FLNG projects, using a “design one, build many” strategy to leverage learnings and reduce subsequent development time and cost. The next paper describes the design, construction, and installation of a spar in the Gulf of Mexico, including bulk storage tanks for produced oil, methanol, and diesel and independent tanks for production and subsea chemicals. The design and regulatory requirements are discussed, and lessons learned and recommendations for future projects are supplied. The final paper discusses the development and testing of an active acoustic automatic leak-detection sonar. The technology makes use of the different acoustic impedance of hydrocarbons compared with the surrounding sea water to detect with a sonar head the partial reflection of the transmitted signal by this interface. The paper describes field trials of the technology in the Gulf of Mexico using a substitute target to simulate an oil release and nitrogen to simulate natural gas. I hope you enjoy reading these papers as much as I did. JPT Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 172150 The Use of Multirotor Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles as a Method of Closely Visually Inspecting Live and Difficult-To-Access Assets on Offshore Platforms by Malcolm Connolly, Cyberhawk Innovations OTC 25676 Implementing Constructability in Brownfield Projects: A Case Study by Amir G. Salem, SBM Offshore, et al. OTC 25685 The Risk of Cryogenic-Liquid Release Could Have Been a Show Stopper for the Floating Liquefied-Natural-Gas Market: How Did the Industry Respond? by R. Wade

Prediction and improvement of the solid particles transfer rate for the bulk handing system design of offshore drilling vessels

Numerous experiments with a scaled pilot facility were carried out to compare the relative bulk transfer performance of three special devices for applications to drilling systems. The pipe diameter for bulk transportation was 3 in., which corresponds to around half of the actual system dimensions. Two different pressures, 3 and 4 bar, were considered to check the relative performance under different pressure conditions at a bulk storage tank. And to make a practical estimation method of the bulk transfer rate at the early design stages of the bulk handling system, a series of experiments were conducted for real scaled bulk handing systems of two drilling vessels. The pressure drops at each pipe element as well as the bulk transfer rates were measured under different operating conditions. Using the measured results, the friction factor for each pipe element was calculated and a procedure for transfer rate estimation was developed. Compared to the measured transfer rate results for other drilling vessels, the estimated transfer rates were within a maximum 15% error bound.

Intelligent control of a renewable, energy-efficient bulk storage tank for dairy farms

No abstract available

Low-Power Wireless Liquid Monitoring System using Ultrasonic Sensors

Abstract Monitoring Systems are necessary to understand the changes that take place in environments. Remote monitoring and data collection systems are useful and effective tools to collect information from bulk storage tanks and to monitor the same. The measurement of liquid inside the tank is most important and such systems are useful in industries which are categorized as safety critical systems. This paper presents the architecture and initial testing results of a low power wireless system for tank level monitoring using ultrasonic sensors.

Flammable vapor cloud generation from overfilling tanks: Learning the lessons from Buncefield

The Buncefield Incident in 2005 led to a significant change in our understanding of how flammable vapor clouds could be generated from overfilling bulk storage tanks with volatile liquids. Prior to that incident, it was widely thought that an overfilling tank would produce a pool of liquid in the bunded area around a tank that would evaporate relatively slowly. However, in the Buncefield Incident, the release of liquid through vents in the tank roof led to waterfall-like cascade of fine gasoline droplets that produced flammable vapor at a much faster rate. It took only around 25 min for the dense current of flammable vapor to fill an area roughly 500 m by 400 m to a depth of between 2 m and 4 m. The wind speed was very low during the incident and the way in which the vapor cloud dispersed was affected by the slope of the ground and presence of obstacles. The resulting explosion was severe, even across open unobstructed areas. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but the total damage from the incident was estimated to have cost around $1.5 billion. Since the Buncefield Incident took place, several incidents with striking similarities have taken place at Jaipur (India), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and the Amuay Refinery (Venezuela).This paper presents the findings of the Buncefield Incident investigation team and further research that has been carried out on tank overfilling releases over the last seven years at the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL). The work has involved a combination of unique spill experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, and has resulted in a simple methodology for predicting the rate of flammable vapor production from overfilling tanks. This paper takes the opportunity to present for the first time a unified narrative, starting with the key findings of the incident investigation and culminating with the description of a workbook method for predicting which substances and storage tanks could create significant vapor clouds.

Passive cooling of the PBMR spent and used fuel tanks

The pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) is a new generation high temperature gas-cooled reactor, making use of spherical fuel elements. The spent fuel and partially burnt fuel (called used fuel) is stored in large storage tanks. This paper presents the cooling design of the storage tanks, with special emphasis on its passive cooling ability. For corrosion protection, the tanks are cooled with a closed loop active system, however, passive cooling is seen as the ultimate cooling mode for the storage tanks. If the active cooling fails, the flow automatically bypasses the active system and passive cooling takes over. The active cooling is thus not safety-related; rather its purpose is for investment protection. The storage tank design with its longitudinal internal cooling pipes has a good passive cooling ability. The layout of the tank concrete cubicle ensures that cooling air can flow only in the desired direction. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses have been done for various heat load scenarios inside the tank. Passive cooling exists for tanks with a low spent fuel fill level with heat load below 25 kW up to a tank containing a full PBMR core (used fuel) with heat load of 640 kW. For all scenarios, the maximum fuel temperature is below 400 °C. A method was developed to calculate the passive cooling characteristics of the tank at a fraction of the time it takes CFD by using the pipe network simulation software Flownex. The method was also used to analyze transient passive cooling events and showed flow phenomenon similar to what CFD analyses have predicted. A small-scale two-dimensional representation of the storage tank and cubicle layout has been built. This experiment demonstrates the passive cooling ability of the tank. It also proved the flow characteristics that were predicted by the CFD and Flownex analyses. It has been shown through diverse techniques that the fuel inside the tanks can be cooled passively. There are still a few aspects which need to be explored in more detail, but overall it can be said that passive cooling of the PBMR spent and used fuel in bulk storage tanks is viable.

Implementing inherently safer design in an existing plant

AbstractAlthough the best time for implementation of inherently safer design alternatives is during early process development and plant design, there are often opportunities to modify an existing plant to significantly enhance inherent safety. We will describe a modification to a bromine raw material handling facility, replacing an existing bulk storage tank with cylinders. Incident consequence analysis and quantitative risk analysis were used to understand the relative inherent safety characteristics of the design options. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2006

Bulk liquid oxygen supply failure.

WE report an oxygen supply tank failure at our institution that occurred during the morning of a busy operating room schedule when medical center oxygen use was maximal.

Automated technology for in vivo mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes

As the only biocontrol agent available for many soil insects, entomopathogenic nematodes should be poised for wider use, as regulatory scrutiny in the USA continues to restrict or ban important chemical insecticides. One component of nematode production in the USA is a cottage industry of low volume producers using in vivo technology, based on a method devised in 1927: the White trap. We report the first scalable system for in vivo nematode mass production. Unlike the White trap, there is no requirement for nematode migration to a water reservoir. The LOTEK system of tools and procedures provides process technology for low-cost, high-efficiency mass production. The system consists of: (1) perforated holding trays to secure insect hosts during inoculation, conditioning (synchronizing nematode emergence), and harvesting, (2) an automated, self-cleaning harvester with misting nozzles that trigger infective juvenile emergence and rinse the nematodes through the holding trays to a central bulk storage tank, and (3) a continuous deflection separator for washing and concentrating nematodes. The harvester collects 97% of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar that emerged from Galleria mellonella (L.) cadavers in 48 h. The separator removes 97.5% of the wastewater in three passes, while nematode concentration increased 81-fold. The rearing system offers an increase in efficiency relative to the conventional White trap method with reduced labor and space.

Occurrence and Survival of Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 in Raw Cow's Milk in the Netherlands

From May through November 1997, 1,011 samples of raw milk ffom bulk storage tanks were examined for the presence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli of serogroup O157 (O157 VTEC) by immunomagnetic separation following selective enrichment. The samples originated from 1,011 different dairy herds located throughout the Netherlands. O157 VTEC was not isolated from any of the milk samples examined. Additionally, survival of O157 VTEC in raw and UHT-sterilized cow's milk at 7 and 15°C was studied, both in the absence and presence of an activated lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide system (LPS). Results indicated that the O157 VTEC strain tested was able to grow in raw milk at 7°C as well as at 15°C. Naturally occurring amounts of thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide in the raw milk tested were not sufficient to activate the LPS. Although the LPS exhibited an antimicrobial activity against O157 VTEC in LPS-activated sterilized milk, O157 VTEC populations were not (or not as obviously) reduced in LPS-activated raw milk. Possibly background microflora were more sensitive to the LPS than the O157 VTEC test strain. It was concluded that raw milk contaminated with O157 VTEC will remain a hazard if kept at 7 or 15°C. Effective pasteurization and avoiding postpasteurization contamination are necessary to ensure the safety of milk.

Sources and routes of contamination of raw milk with Listeria monocytogenes and its control.

To identify the source of contamination of raw bulk milk with Listeria, we attempted to isolate the bacteria from various samples such as cattle-related samples, bulk storage tanks and the environments on three farms. On farms A and B, Listeria monocytogenes was repeatedly isolated from raw milk, while on farm C, it was scarcely isolated from it. On the former farms, Listeria was detected in cattle-related samples and the environments. On the other hand, only one fecal sample on the latter farm was Listeria-positive. Especially, we demonstrated that the bulk tank on farm A was contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Then, L. monocytogenes was controlled by continuously washing the bulk tank on farm A with alkaline detergent.

Characteristics of an Ultrafiltered Deionized Water System Used in the Manufacture of Implantable Biomedical Devices

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the characteristics of an ultrafiltered deionized water system used in the manufacture of biomedical devices. The water system was designed to reduce product concerns with respect to ionic contamination, organic contamination, and microbial contamination. The goal of the system was to produce high-purity deionized water that exceeded the requirements of USP pure water and meet the manufacturing requirements of electronic device assembly. This goal was achieved by using a compact design, select materials of construction, and robust pretreatment to reduce the burden to the ultrafiltration system. Continuous supply is delivered to all points of use through balanced pressures within the system and without a bulk storage tank. System maintenance is reduced to routine daily monitoring and sanitization once per month. Detailed descriptions of the system design, system operating conditions, and variable data are included to demonstrate system performance.

PREDICTING SOLVENT CONCENTRATIONS FROM COATING THE INSIDE OF BULK STORAGE TANKS

A technique is presented to assess health risks associated with coating the inside surface of a bulk storage tank. The technique uses a sequential box model to predict the time-varying solvent concentrations at arbitrary points inside the vessel during an ongoing coating process. Input parameters include volumetric flow rates of exhaust and makeup air, solvent threshold limit values and evaporation rates, and a set of exchange coefficients that characterize air circulation inside the vessel. This technique enables engineers to rate quantitatively the anticipated health risks of applying a combination of coatings. The technique also provides engineering managers a predictive tool to organize work schedules so that health and safety can become input parameters to an engineering enterprise.

Predicting Solvent Concentrations from coating the Inside of Bulk Storage Tanks

A technique is presented to assess health risks associated with coating the inside surface of a bulk storage tank. The technique uses a sequential box model to predict the time-varying solvent concentrations at arbitrary points inside the vessel during an ongoing coating process. Input parameters include volumetric flow rates of exhaust and makeup air, solvent threshold limit values and evaporation rates, and a set of exchange coefficients that characterize air circulation inside the vessel. This technique enables engineers to rate quantitatively the anticipated health risks of applying a combination of coatings. The technique also provides engineering managers a predictive tool to organize work schedules so that health and safety can become input parameters to an engineering enterprise.

Bulk storage tank floor inspection service

Bulk storage tank floor inspection service

Seismic design rules for flat bottom cylindrical liquid storage tanks

A set of design rules have been developed that permit a detailed assessment to be made of large flat bottomed cylindrical bulk storage tanks subject to seismic loading. It is proposed that these should form an Appendix to the new British Standard BS7777. Equations and appropriate coefficients are developed to assess the stresses in the tanks shell due to impulsive and convective liquid mass effects, including hoop and axial stresses. Appropriate stress limits are proposed for both OBE and SSE events. Lift-off of the bottom due to rocking is considered, including limits on annular plate width and local peak foundation loads. A worked example is included showing use of the equations that are proposed for BS7777.

Computerized spill hazard evaluation models

Accidents in the transportation or storage and handling of chemicals may result in the release of dangerous chemicals. Rapid prediction of hazard areas are essential so that the necessary remedial actions. This paper describes a system being developed for the U.S. Coast Guard. The system consists of state-of-the-art mathematical models describing different sources for chemical releases (pressurized storage tanks, bulk storage tanks, barge, rail car and road transports) and hazardous behavior in the environment (two-phase jet flow, instantaneously released vapor cloud, dispersion of heavy gases with liquid aerosols, reactive chemical dispersion in air, jet fires, pool fire thermal radiation, explosion effects, water dispersion in rivers and streams, etc.) . The system has a physical and chemical property database (including temperature dependent properties) for over 1200 chemicals which are used in the mathematical models. This paper discusses the various features of the system. Details of the mathematical models are not given since these have been published before. The questions of how an on-scene commander responding to a chemical spill accident can utilize these models and the level of confidence that can be placed in the model results are discussed.

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Milk in Nebraska

Raw milk samples were obtained from bulk storage tanks of individual dairy farms in eastern Nebraska during February and July of 1986. One hundred different farms were tested during each period. One-tenth ml of each sample was plated directly onto McBride's Listeria Agar (MLA) and 30 ml was subjected to a four-week cold enrichment procedure. Suspect colonies from MLA were subjected to biochemical tests to confirm identity. Nine percent of all raw milk samples examined were determined to be positive for Listeria species after the cold enrichment procedure. Four percent contained L. monocytogenes and five percent contained L. innocua. Six percent and two percent of samples were found to contain L. monocytogenes in February and July respectively.