Interaction and design of grounded systems for tanks and vessels

Tanks and vessels have numerous grounded and protection systems. These include static discharge from fluid movement bonding, lightning protection ground, lightning discharge halo, equipment bonding, cathodic protection, stray current control, power and external line protection, instrumentation connection and instrumentation protection. Each system has unique requirements. In addition, the grounded systems interact and, in some cases, interfere with each other. Design concerns, considerations and requirements for each system are identified. An integrated design shows all systems operating together. Diagrams show interactions of the systems. Descriptions and comments illustrate the numerous details. The procedures are appropriate for engineers who design, operate or maintain electrical systems for vessels used in any facet of the petrochemical industry. Although the paper is specifically addressed towards tanks and vessels, the concepts can be applied to a broad range of grounding applications for structures.