Design of Lightning Protection System for Oil and Gas Tanks using 3-D Modeling Rolling Sphere Method

The Lightning Protection System (LPS) plays an important role in protecting oil and gas tanks from the destructive effects of lightning strikes. Oil and gas tanks are vulnerable to lightning strikes due to their large surface area and flammable contents. The examination of safety systems in gas and oil tanks is frequently restricted to a two-dimensional method, which may not be effective enough to safeguard the entire tank. Consequently, the goal of this study is to conduct a three-dimensional analysis of the protective system to offer a more thorough understanding of the potential advantages and benefits of this methodology. Through the Decision matrix, the EMT and FSM design is chosen as the best lightning protection system, proven through simulation to reduce the number of air terminal installations by about 50%-58% compared to the conventional system. The author has simulated a 3-dimensional protection system that has fewer EMT and FSM installations than the 2-dimensional simulation, using 77 air terminals to protect an area of 207,783.12m² in the Plaju area.