STORAGE TANK
DESIGN
Alcantara, Aldrin H.
Fernandez, Mildred A.
Glorioso, Maria Eliza B.
Sour water storage tank prior to pretreatment (Waste from Venturi Quench
Scrubber)
Operating Temperature: 364 deg F = 184.4444 deg C
Operating Pressure: 444.5 psia = 30.2381 atm
Composition:
Component kmole/h
Mole
fraction
MW Density*X MW*X kg/hr
Ar 0.0000 0.0000 39.9500 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
CH4 0.0000 0.0000 16.0430 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
CO 0.0000 0.0000 28.0106 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
CO2 0.0000 0.0000 44.0100 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
COS 0.0000 0.0000 60.0746 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
H2 0.0000 0.0000 2.0159 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
H2O 153.1158 0.8130 18.0153 0.0000 14.6470 2758.4336
H2S 0.0000 0.0000 34.0799 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
N2 0.0000 0.0000 28.0134 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
NH3 35.2114 0.1870 17.0306 0.0000 3.1842 599.6711
O2 0.0000 0.0000 31.9988 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
SO2 0.0000 0.0000 64.0628 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total 188.3272 1.0000
0.0000 17.8312 3358.1046
Possible Location: Located in the Syngas Treatment Facilities of the Plant
Storage duration: 5 days
Storage Tank Specifications
I. General
a. Type: Horizontal, Cylindrical, Above Ground, Single-walled, Flat Headers
Horizontal, Cylindrical: Since the system in itself is pressurized, the
design of the tank should be able to minimize further accumulation of
pressure.
Above Ground: This is preferred for bulk storage.
Single-walled: The purpose of the tank is merely to contain the sour
water in the duration of 5 days. Maintenance of pressure and temperature
conditions isnt needed so addition of heat exchangers that could be
contained in a secondary wall wouldnt be necessary. For safety reasons,
the external temperature is reduced by insulating materials. Also, in case
of leaks, the tank is diked reducing the need for a secondary wall.
Flat headers: As stated, the purpose of the tank is solely for storage. To
reduce the material costs, flat headers will be used.
b. Capacity: approx. 6400 m
3
Calculation:
density H
2
O = 883.5499 kg/m
3
density NH
3
= 14.7033 kg/m
3
V H
2
O = 374.3197 m
3
V NH
3
= 4885.3833 m
3
total V = 5259.7030 m
3
tank volume = total V + 20% (total V) = 6311.6436 m
3
c. Dimension: 32 m x 16 m
Calculation:
Length = 32 m
Radius = 8 m
V tank = pi * r
2
*l = 6433.9818 m
3
d. Wall thickness:
Calculation: (According to the API Standard)
d
.-
d
where Td = design shell thickness
H = height = 30m
D = nominal tank diameter = 16m
G = design specific gravity = 0.076
Sd = allowable stress = 173.7Mpa
CA = corrosion allowance = 1.5875mm
For carbon steel (ASME SA516 Grade 70)
Td = 25.82 mm
II. Illustrations
a. Cross-sectional view
b. 3D view
III. Materials
a. Tank: Carbon steel (ASME SA516 Grade 70 Carbon Steel)
The basis of material selection is the capacity of the tank and the corrosivity
of the ammonia-water system. Stainless steel is commonly the material used
for corrosive environments. However, it is not strong enough to handle large
volumes. There is therefore a need to lower the chromium content of the alloy
and increase the carbon content to make it strong. Also, carbon steels are
more excellent in mechanical properties and fabricability. As for the selection
of the metal grade, ASME Grade 70 (as compared to Grade 60) can
withstand higher stresses and is therefore the stronger material.
b. Insulation:
Outer Surface: Polyurethane foam (PUF), Aluminum Cladding
PUF is typically the insulating material used by industries for high
temperature systems and it is due to its responsive performance, easy
application and cheapness. However, it absorbs water, yellows over time
and is toxic. To reduce these down sides, an aluminum cladding will be
applied.
Bottom: Foam glass
Foam glass (produced from cleaned recycled glass) functions well as a
bulk lightening material. Since the material is quite expensive, sand is
recommended as fillers.
c. Footings: Steel
IV. Appurtenances
a. Liquid Fill Line / Inlet
The liquid fill line allows the transfer of product from the previous process. It
consists of a quick disconnect fitting and shutoff valve at the truck liquid fill
connection point, fill line piping, and shutoff valve located on the top of the
tank.
b. Liquid Level Float Gauge/Sensor
The dial on this float gauge is calibrated in percentage of total tank volume to
indicate the volume of fluid in the storage tank. A metal bulb floating on the
surface of the aqua ammonia actuates an indicator pointer on the dial. Once
the maximum level is reached, the fluid loading will halt.
c. Pressure Gauge/Sensor
The pressure gauge indicates the internal pressure in the storage tank. This
will command the PRV or PVV to take action once the system exceeds
specified permissible pressure conditions.
d. Pressure Relief/Vacuum Breaker Valve (PRV/PVV)
A combination pressure relief valve and vacuum breaker protects the storage
vessel from pressure in excess of the design working pressure and from sub-
atmospheric pressures.
e. Drain Valve / Liquid Outlet
This valve is used to remove product from the storage tank and is
strategically placed near the bottom.
f. Clean In Place System (CIP)
This consists of spray units to ease the cleaning process.
g. Manway
The main purpose of the manway is for material sampling and manual
cleaning.
h. Ladders
Double handrailed and with nonskid platform and rungs, this is used to reach
the manway and sight openings.
i. Sight openings
Made of glass, this is mainly used to monitor the internal levels by sight.
j. Dike
For safety reasons (leakages), this will be installed.
References:
Ammonia Storage: Selection and Safety issues. url: http://www.uhdeindia.com/down
loads/ammoniastorage.pdf
Aqua Ammonia: Delivery and Storage Information url: http://www.airgasspecialty
products.com/Libraries/Aqua_Ammonia_Technical_Data_Manual/Appendix_D_-
_Delivery_and_Storage_Information.sflb.ashx
LIFE CYCLE COST EVALUATION OF CARBON STEELS, AUSTENITIC AND DUPLEX STAINLESS
STEELS FOR STORAGE TANKS. url: http://aplicainox.org/ agua/wp-
content/uploads/2011/11/DV01.pdf
Polyurethane or Polystyrene foam? Which makes a better surfboard?. url:
http://surfing.about.com/od/thesurfboard/a/polyurethane_polystyrene.htm
Specifications for Round Horizontal Storage Tanks url: http://www.walkerep.com/
media/19339/roundhorizdatasheet.pdf
ASTM A516 Grade 70 and ASME SA516 Grade 70 Carbon Steel Plate for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
by Masteel. url: http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4787#4
Utilizing High Strength Stainless Steel for Storage
Tanks: http://www.outokumpu.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Outokumpu-Acom-high-strength-
stainless-steel-for-storage-tanks.pdf
