API 650 STORAGE TANKS

1. Use of storage tanks

2. Design Codes used for tanks
3. Structure of API 650
4. Main items/parts in tank
5. About Shell & Tank Bottom
 HOW DOES A STORAGE TANK LOOK?

Rectangular tanks: not under the scope of this presentation

PURPOSE OF A STORAGE TANK

 To store large quantity of fluid at relatively low

installation cost
 Buffer
between two(2) stages of process (Production &
Demand)
 Easy construction
 Operate at atmospheric pressure (or near atm)
 In situ fabrication
MAIN PARTS IN A STORAGE TANK
Parts of a storage tank are:
• Shell
• Tank Bottom
• Roof
• Nozzle & Manways (roof & shell)
• Ladder (cage/spiral)
• Level gauges
• Wind Girder
• Dip Hatch
• Pressure Vacuum Valve (PVV)/ Breather Valve
• Blow off hatch
• Sump

Blow-off Hatch

Breather Valve Dip/Gauge Hatch

CLASSIFICATION OF STORAGE
TANKS (BASED ON ROOF TYPE)
DESIGN CODES FOR TANKS
Low Pressure: P ≤ 18 kPa
Tanks: API 650

Medium Pressure: 18 kPa < P ≤ 103 kPa

Tanks: API 620

High Pressure: P > 100 kPa

Pressure Vessel: ASME Sec 8

As per API650 5.2.1(c), the Design Internal Pressure of API650 tanks

shall not exceed 18 kPa
Tank Material
 None of the AST codes suggest any materials for any particular application
 Code merely suggests which materials are allowed and what are the criteria
to be fulfilled
 Properties which are considered in a material
 Allowable Stress
 Toughness
 Corrosion Allowance
 Temperature Resistance
Allowable Stress

Maximum allowable design stress (Sd) and Hydrostatic Test pressure is given in table 5.2a of code API650

Sd: is lesser of 2/3 x Ys or 2/5 x Ts

St: is lesser of ¾ x Ys or 3/7 x Ts
Corrosion Allowance
 CA will be determined by materials engineer and will be provided by Client

Impact Testing of Plates

 Figure 4.1a,b gives the min. permissible metal temp
STRUCTURE OF API 650
API 650 MINIMUN REQUIREMENTS/
APPLICABILITY

 Tanks for liquids

 Sand/Concrete/Gravel supported
 Atmospheric Pressure (P<18 kPa)
 T<93.3 degC (upto 260 degC with Annex M)
 DESIGN CONDITIONS
• Design and Operating Parameters
(temp/pressure)
• Geotech Data
• Meteorological Data
• Loading Data (snow fall, wind and other
loads)
• Properties of fluid being stored
• Flowrates
• Design Life
• Material to be used
• Corrosion Allowance
TANK SHELL ARRANGEMENTS

• Shells are joined by butt welding

• The shell plates must be prepared by trimming, machining or oxycutting before joining
• API 650 code requires welding procedure and welders to be qualified in accordance with section 9 of
API650 and ASME Sec 9
Methods for calculating shell thickness
 1 foot method not to be used for tanks larger than 61m dia
TANK BOTTOM

Tank bottom plates are generally thinner than shell plates

Aim of tank bottom is to ensure sealing of product, avoid leaks from bottom
Minimum thickness of the bottom plate has to be 6 mm as per code API650 (Clause 5.4.1)
TANK BOTTOM CONFIGURATIONS
Typical bottom plate
arrangement for tanks having
diameter ≤ 12m
Typical bottom plate
arrangement for tanks having
diameter > 12m
ANNULAR PLATE

Why annular plate used?

• Weight of shell and roof can be supported by either bottom plate or annular plate
• API650 prescribes a use of thicker annular plate than a shell bottom
• Externally annular plates has to be circular, but internally they can be of any
polygon shape
WHEN TO PROVIDE ANNULAR PLATE
 When material of the shell belongs to group IV, IVA, V, VI
 When tank dia > 30.5m and operating Temp > 93 deg C

Recommended annular plate width as per code

Minimum annular plate dimensions as per code

Code provides a table to select the plate thickness

ANNULAR PLATE MIN. THICKNESS
Recap

Topics to be covered in next session

 Different types of tank roofs
 Wind and Seismic loads on tank
 External Pressure on tank
 Wind Girders