Storage Tanks

Introduction

A storage tank is a container, usually for holding liquids, sometimes for compressed gases (gas
tank). The liquid substance may be

i. Feedstock

ii. Finished products prior to shipping out to customer

iii. Unfinished petroleum components awaiting for further processing

While in storage tanks, these products may settle out undesirable substances such as

A) Water

B) Emulsions

C) Dirt

These undesirable substances can then be removed through draw off devices.

Tank Terminologies

Dike: described as a containment wall or ditch that extends around a tank to prevent product
loss.

Water Draws: Water draw valves are provided at the lowest point in the tank bottom. They are
used to remove water that has settled to the bottom of the tank and may be used to
completely drain the tank.

Gauge hatches: are provided in the roofs of atmospheric tanks to enable the contents to be
measured. A secondary function of a gauge hatch is to provide some emergency pressure relief.

Conservation Vent: Fixed-roof tanks that store volatile fluids are often equipped with a
conservation vent. A typical conservation vent is equipped with two valves having weighted
discs to regulate pressure during operation.

Manholes and Manways: The chemical processing industry uses manways as access hatches or
ports into and out of tanks and vessels. These are used for visual inspection and access for
cleaning.

Flame Arresters: The vents are equipped with a flame arrestor to prevent the possibility of fire
reaching the contents of the tank.
Types of Tanks

For safe storage of petroleum products, we have to consider the product properties such as
volatility (RVP, pour point, flash point and others before we start designing and constructing
the tank.
Atmospheric Storage Tanks

• Atmospheric storage is a term applied to tanks operating at or near atmospheric

pressure. This type of tank is used to hold liquid which will not vaporize at ambient
temperature. Tanks used in this category are primarily the open top, fixed roof (cone &
dome) and floating roof.

Pressurized Storage Tanks

• Pressurized storage applies to those vessels (mounded bullets) which are designed to
withstand pressure sufficient to keep the liquid stored, from vaporizing. High vapor
pressure hydrocarbons such as propane, butane

Atmospheric Tanks:

Open Top Tanks

This type of tank has no roof and shall be used for storing city water, fire water and cooling
water

Fixed Roof Tanks

These types of tanks can be divided into:

• - Cone roof

• - Dome roof

Each type can be further subdivided into non-pressure and low pressure fixed roof tanks.

Fixed Roof Tanks

Well known type of storage tanks, constructed over 100 years ago and provided mostly with
self-supporting roof structures

For large diameter fixed roof tanks column supported roof are used, Fixed roof tanks are
designed as atmospheric , low ,or high pressure tanks and may be used to store hydrocarbons

Advantages

 Easy to construct and cheap to build.

Disadvantages

 Material losses due to the escape of vapor

Floating Roof Tanks

Fixed Roof Tanks with Floating Covers (Internal Floating Roof Tanks)

In a fixed roof tank a floating cover can be installed to give a further, reduction of vapor losses.
These tanks are fitted with breather vents either at the top course of the shell plate or on the
roof edge. Typical feedstock/ products stored are: DPK (Kerosene, Jet A1)

Floating Roof Tank

This type of tanks roof floating on the surface of the liquid designed to work at atmospheric
pressure. At low level the roof rests on adjustable legs. The diameter of a floating roof tanks
shall at least be equal to its height to enable the use of a normal rolling ladder for access to the
roof. Typical Products stored are: Crude oil, Gasoline and Gasoline components solvents

Fittings on Floating Roof Tanks

a. Adjustable legs
b. Foam seal
c. Roof bleeder vents
d. Roof water drain
e. Emergency drain
f. Roof ladder
g. Wind girder
h. Gauge well pipe
i. Manholes on shell & roof
 j. Gauge hatch with cover
k. Datum plate
l. Product inlet / outlet nozzle
m. Tank water drain valve
n. Foam network
o. Sprinkler
p. Landing platform
q. Stairway
r. Earthling
s. Expansion lines
Advantages compared to fixed roof tanks

a. Eliminates product loss through evaporation

b. Safe, as no vapor accumulated under the roof
c. Inter changeability easy to class “a” service without change in fittings
d. Less air pollution, as practically no venting.
Disadvantages as compared to fixed roof tanks

a. High cost of construction

b. High cost of maintenance
c. High dead stock
d. Needs closer supervision during operation
e. Possibility of roof sinking /tilting due to
f. Leaks / heavy rains
g. At lower levels heavy accumulation of
vapors on the roof.

Pressurized Storage Tanks

Pressure storage tanks are used to store volatile liquids which have a vapor pressure greater
than 18psi

Three types are there

Drum: Cylindrical vessels with ellipsoidal or hemispherical ends. Supported vertically on

concrete foundations or horizontally on concrete piers

Spheres: Shaped like sphere. A 64 ft. diameter will have a volume of 25000 barrels.

Spheroids: Similar but have a somewhat flattened top and bottom

The Structure and assembly of Tanks

a. Manholes
b. Dip hatch
c. Datum plate
d. Temperature / sample hatch
e. Inlet / outlet
f. Vents
g. Pv valve
h. Water draw off line
i. Safety railings
j. Stairways
k. Earthling connections
l. Expansion line
m. Manometer
n. Fire water sprinkler system
o. Foam pourer
p. Auto level gauges
Safe Operation of floating roof tanks

1) Operation of floating roof tanks needs closer supervision and additional measures.

2) Access to floating roof shall be restricted.

3) Whenever any person is allowed on the roof, keep stand by person on landing platform.

4) Check for petroleum vapor on the roof. Use breathing apparatus whenever necessary.

5) No one should be allowed on the floating roof during product receipt or when roof is at
lower levels.

6) If absolutely necessary to go on the roof, the person shall wear breathing apparatus and
standby persons on landing platform.

7) Keep gauge hatches or other openings closed except for essential operations

8) Gauge hatch shall not be slammed while closing. It should not be left open after
gauging.

9) Gauging should not be carried out during thunder storm or lightn1ng.

10) Develop procedures to prevent overfilling. If fitted, check high level alarms monthly for
operability.

11) Roof should always remain in floating condition while tank is being filled or emptied out.
Do not keep the tank in semi float condition

Critical level of tanks

1) It is necessary to know the position of the roof

i.e. whether it is fully floating, partially immersed or resting on legs

2) When roof is fully floating, it displaces its own weight of oil and the tank can be
gauged

3) When the roof is partially immersed, its actual displacement is uncertain. So the
gauging of the tank should not be undertaken, as oil quantity calculation will not
be accurate.

4) When roof is resting on legs, the tank is like conventional cone roof tank and
thus tank can be gauged correctly. However there will be lot of vapor loss in this
condition.