Third Lecture A
ABOVEGROUND
CONTENTS
Introduction
Classification of tanks
Tank Foundation
Tank Structure
Floating Roof Tanks
Tank Accessories
Tank Erection
BACKGROUND
Tanks have been around since the beginning of hydrocarbon production.
Tanks vary considerably, in the type and size based on the type of products
to be stored and the volume involved.
The failure of a tank can have several undesirable effects such as
endangering personnel, affecting the environment and interrupting the
Operator’s business.
Companies therefore, require a consistent approach for assessing tank
integrity and maintaining compliance with industry and regulatory
standards, (that is community requirements). Such an approach must;
Ensure tanks are not leaking and will not leak before next inspection.
Reduce the potential for releases.
Maintain tanks in safe operating conditions, and
Make repairs and determine when replacement is necessary.
INTRODUCTION
The primary function of a storage tank is to store liquid substance.
This liquid substance may be:
Feedstock
Finished products prior to shipping out to customers
Unfinished petroleum components awaiting for further
- processing (intermediate)
- blending
While in the storage tanks, these products may settle out undesirable
substances such as;
Water
Emulsions
Dirt etc.
This undesirable substances can then be removed through draw-off devices.
Products may also be mixed, blended and treated in storage tanks effectively,
using the large capacity available in these tanks.
CLASSIFICATION
Storage tanks are broadly classified into the following categories
Atmospheric tanks
Low-pressure tanks
High pressure tanks / Pressure vessels
Atmospheric Tanks: (Vertical)
These tanks operate at or near atmospheric pressure.
They are use to store / hold liquids that do not vaporize at ambient temperature.
These tanks are further classified into different categories based on the roof type.
Low-pressure Tanks: (Vertical)
These tanks are designed to operate from atmospheric pressure upto 15 psig.
These tanks are used to hold hydrocarbons having relatively high vapor
pressure.
High pressure tanks / Pressure vessels: (Horizontal)
These are vessels (mounted bullets / spherical) operating above 15 psig and are
treated separately from tanks by all codes, standards, and regulations.
CLASSIFICATION BASED O N ROOF
CONFIGURATION
Vertical storage tanks are further classified into the following types
based on the roof configuration,
Open top tank
Fixed roof tank
Floating roof tank
External Floating roof
Internal Floating roof
Fixed roof tanks are further divided into,
Cone roof tank
Dome roof tank
External floating roofs are further categorized as,
Single Deck type
Double Deck type
OPEN TOP TANK
This type of tank have no roof and are used to store,
City Water
Fire Water
Cooling Water
FIXED CONE
ROOF TANK
Fixed cone roof tanks are well known
type of storage tanks, constructed over
100 years ago and provided mostly
with self supporting roof structures.
For large diameter tanks column
supported roofs are used.
FIXED DOME
ROOF TANK
These tanks have roof shape
similar to dome.
These tank roofs can be self
supporting structure hence no
column supports are necessary.
FLOATING ROOF -
SIGNIFICANCE
Emission of oil vapour
represents:
1. Considerable monetary loss
termed as “wastages”.
2. Harmful long-term
consequences to environment.
In-order to reduce these
vapour losses Floating roofs
are used.
In these types of roofs there is
no vapor space which greatly
reduces the emission arising
due to breathing loss and
evaporative loss
