What must be ensured after making any welded repairs to a pressurized oil tank?

After making any welded repairs to a pressurized oil tank, it is critical to conduct a pressure check to ensure the integrity of the tank. This is because welded repairs can potentially introduce weaknesses or defects in the material that, if not addressed, could lead to leaks or even catastrophic failures when the tank is put back into service.

A pressure check allows for the detection of any leaks and assesses the overall strength of the repair. It confirms that the welds have adequately restored the structural integrity required for the tank to safely contain pressurized oil. This step is essential in maintaining safety standards and operational reliability.

While visual inspections can identify obvious surface issues, they are not sufficient to guarantee that a repair has been successful at the structural level. Immediate repainting, while it may be part of maintenance, does not address the critical need for verifying the integrity of the welds. Similarly, replacing the tank is an extreme and unnecessary action unless the tank is deemed irreparable through assessment methods. Thus, conducting a pressure check is the most effective way to ensure that the tank is safe for continued use post-repair.