4.6.1.2.

3 Calculation method: manhole covers

The flow capacity for any pressure at which the complete elevation of a well cover is
You can calculate by multiplying the theoretical flow described in Section 4.6.1.1.1 by 0.5.
4.6.1.3 Test tank
4.6.1.3.1 The test tank must be constructed in such a way that the high speed of the jets does not
collide with the ventilation device.
4.6.1.3.2 The pulses in the average test supply must be moistened to avoid errors in
the measurement of flow.
4.6.1.4 Assembly of the ventilation device for testing
4.6.1.4.1 To minimize the effect of input losses, the ventilation device must be
mounted on top of the test tank in a location near the center of an area that is
essentially flat. The flat area must have a diameter of at least five times greater than the
nominal diameter of the tested device.
4.6.1.4.2 The ventilation device must be mounted for testing on a straight pipe nipple that has
the same nominal diameter as the ventilation device and a length of 1.5 times the size
of the nominal tube. The tube nozzle must enter directly into the top of the test tank
near the center of the flat part, with the end of the nipple machined at a 90-degree angle with the
axis and flush with the inside of the tank. The rounding of the inlet edge must not exceed a radius of 0.031
inches (0.80 millimeters).
4.6.1.5 Flow Measurement
4.6.1.5.1 Air or another suitable gas will be used in the ventilation device test.
4.6.1.5.2 The air or gas flow will be measured according to ASME PTC 19.5 standard.
4.6.1.6 Capacity data
4.6.1.6.1 Capacity data must be presented in the form of curves or tables that provide the volume.
flow through the pressure or vacuum vent device at the tank connection.
The data must indicate the pressure or vacuum at the height where the seat of the disk is sufficient for
flow through the ventilation device to be controlled by the nozzle or until the height of the
The disc seat reached a fixed stop. The data must indicate the pressure or vacuum at which it closes.
ventilation device. The capacity for a pilot-operated ventilation device that opens
completely to the established pressure or vacuum can be expressed as a coefficient that is the ratio
from the flow of the ventilation device to the flow of a theoretically perfect device with the same area
of minimum flow.
4.6.1.6.2 The capacity must be expressed in terms of SCFH at 60°F, or Nm3/h at 0°C, of air.
4.6.1.6.3 Pressures must be expressed in ounces per square inch, psig, inches of water,
mbar, bar or millimeters of water.
4.6.2 Marking of Ventilation Devices
Each ventilation device must be clearly marked by the manufacturer with the required data.
so that the marking is not mandatory in service. The mark can be placed on the device or on a
plate or plates firmly fixed to the device.
The required data can be stamped, engraved, printed, or embossed on the device or plate.
identification. Although additional units may be shown, the marking must, at a minimum,
include the following:
a. The name or identifying brand of the manufacturer.
b. The design number or type of the manufacturer.
c. The size of the device's inlet pipe.
d. The adjustment and/or vacuum pressure, where applicable, must be expressed in the units of measurement.
specified in Section 4.6.1.6.3.
e. The nominal capacity of air at the indicated relief pressure in SCFH at 60ºF or in Nm3/h at 0°C.
F. The relief and/or vacuum pressure, in the units of measurement specified in 4.6.1.6.3.
5 Above-ground Refrigerated and Underground Tanks
5.1 GENERAL
This section covers the normal and emergency steam ventilation requirements for products of
cooled liquid petroleum.
Storage tanks designed to operate at vacuum pressures up to 15 pounds per square inch
square (1.034 bar).
A refrigerated liquid petroleum products storage tank may have inside it a
double-skin double-roof tank; a double-walled tank with a suspended cover; or a tank of
a wall with or without a suspended covering. The causes of overpressure are discussed in this section.
empty; determination of ventilation requirements; means of ventilation; selection, installation, and
maintenance of ventilation devices; and testing and marking of auxiliary devices.
5.2 CAUSES OF OVERPRESSURE OR VACUUM
5.2.1 General
When the possible causes of overpressure or vacuum are being determined in a refrigerated tank,
consider the following circumstances:
a. Movement of the liquid in or out of the tank.
b. Climate changes (for example, changes in temperature and pressure).
c. Exposure to fire.
d. Other circumstances such as equipment failures and operational errors.
Some of these circumstances are described in more detail in sections 5.2.2 to 5.2.5. There may be
additional circumstances that must be considered and evaluated by the designer but are not
included in this standard.
5.2.2 Movement of liquids inside or outside a tank
Inhalation may result from the release of liquid or vapor from a tank. The outbreak may result from the
liquid input to a tank and vaporization, including flashes from the feed liquid, which
It will occur due to the entry of the liquid. The flash of the feed liquid can be significant.
for the food that is near or above its boiling point at the pressure in the tank. The
Vapors generated during the filling operation also come from hot filling.
heat escape from the inlet pipe, the inlet pump, tank cooling, and filling line, and
vapors displaced by the incoming liquid.
5.2.3 Climate changes
Vacuum can develop in a tank when environmental conditions (temperature, wind,
precipitation, etc.) change and cause a reduction in the temperature and vapor pressure of the liquid in the
tank.
5.2.4 Exposure to fire
The sprouting will result from the expansion of the vapors and the evaporation of the liquid that occurs when
a tank absorbs heat from an external fire
5.2.5 Other circumstances
5.2.5.1 General
When the possible causes of overpressure or vacuum are being determined in a tank, other
circumstances arise from equipment failures and operational errors must be considered
and evaluated by the designer. Calculation methods for these other circumstances have not been provided.
in this standard.
5.2.5.2 Pressure transfer discharge
Transfer of liquids from other ships, tank trucks, and car tanks can be assisted or
completely achieved by pressurizing the supply vessel with a gas, but the receiving tank
there may be an increase in flow at the end of the steam penetration transfer. Depending on the
pre-existing pressure and free head space in the receiving tank, the additional gas volume can
be enough to overpressurize the tank. The control case is a transfer that fills the tank
receptor so that the small head of space remains to absorb the wave of pressure. A situation
similar can be found along a straight pipe if a steam trap is used after the
pipe device.
5.2.5.3 Inert pads and purges
Inert pads and purges are provided in the tanks to protect their contents.
from: contamination, non-flammable atmospheres in tanks, and to suppress vapor emissions.
A cushion and inert purge system normally has a supply regulator and a regulator of
back pressure to maintain the internal pressure of the tank within a narrow range. A failure in the
The supply regulator can cause an unrestricted flow of gas to the tank, gas flow
reduced or total loss of gas flow. A failure in the return pressure regulator could result in
an overpressure.
5.2.5.4 Heat transfer devices
For a tank with a cooling jacket or coils, vaporization of liquids, resulting from the
loss of refrigerant flow must be considered.
5.2.5.5 Internal heat transfer devices
The mechanical failure of the internal cooling device of a tank can expose its contents.
tank in the middle of the cooling used in the device. In low-pressure tanks, it can be assumed
that the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium will be in the tank when the device
fail. The chemical compatibility of the tank contents and the medium must be considered.
heat transfer in Section 5.2.5.4, internal cooling devices have other causes
potential overpressure or vacuum that must be taken into account. The arrangement of the tank contents
until the device can be repaired or replaced should also be considered.
5.2.5.6 Ventilation Treatment Systems
If the vapor from a tank is collected for treatment or disposal by a treatment system
ventilation, the ventilation collection system may fail. This failure must be evaluated. Failures that
affecting the safety of a tank may include back pressure developed from problems in the
pipeline (bags filled with liquid and accumulation of solids), other equipment that is released at the head, or
blocking due to equipment failure. An emergency ventilation device is usually used that
supply the atmosphere, adjusted to a pressure greater than the ventilation treatment system. For
toxicity or hazardous vapors, a fail-safe ventilation treatment system should be
considered.
5.2.5.7 Failure in the utility
Power outages and local public services and the entire plant must be considered as possible.
causes of overpressure or vacuum.
The loss of electrical energy will directly affect any motorized valve or controllers and
it can also turn off the air supply instrument. In addition, refrigerant liquids can
to get lost during a power outage.
5.2.5.8 Change in the temperature of the tank's inlet flow
A change in the temperature of the incoming flow to a tank caused by a loss of
Cooling or an increase in heat input can cause overpressure in the tank. A reduction
the vapor pressure caused by the introduction of a very cold product in the vapor zone can
create an empty condition.
Note: relief valves are not normally sized to relieve the vapors generated
during the 'overturn'. Although the vapors generated during the overturn are a source of
potential overpressure, there are usually no methods to calculate the relief requirements for these
Vapors. The proper design and operation of the storage system are always essential.
to attempt to avoid a reinvestment (see Section 9 of the API 2510 standard).
5.2.5.9 Chemical reactions
The content of some tanks may be subject to chemical reactions, which can generate heat and/or
vapors. Some examples of chemical reactions may inadvertently include the addition of water to
acid or to the exhausted acid tanks, thus generating steam and/or vaporization of light hydrocarbons,
uncontrolled reactions of phenol tanks, etc. In some cases, the material may foam,
causing two phases of relief. The technology developed by the Design Institute for Relief of
emergency (DIERS) can be used to assess these cases.
5.2.5.10 Heat escape
The heat input to a refrigerated tank can cause overpressure in the tank.
5.2.5.11 Liquid overfill protection
For information on liquid overfill protection, consult API 620 standards.
2510 and API Recommended Practice 2350. Liquid overfill must be prevented by providing a
design of the positive and operational steps, such as two reliable and repairable level instruments and
an independent high-level alarm that independently stops the filling operation by closing
the filling valves.
5.2.5.12 Changes in atmospheric pressure
An increase or decrease in barometric pressure is a possible cause of vacuum or overpressure in a
tank.
5.2.5.13 Control valve failure
The failure of a control valve in the liquid line to a tank must be considered because a failure
The control valve can adversely affect the flow of material to a tank. A failure of the
control valve can cause the liquid flow to increase, and an increase can overload a
cooler, causing higher temperature material to be admitted into the tank. It can also cause
that the liquid level in the feed of a pressurized container to a tank falls below the
output nozzle, allowing the steam from the container to be pushed into the tank.
5.2.5.14 Steam Outlet
If a non-isolated portion of a refrigerated tank is filled with vapor, the rate of condensation due to the
ambient cooling will exceed the ventilation rates specified in this standard. Other steps
including large vents (open pathways) and slowly cooling the tanks, are necessary for
avoid excessive inner emptiness.
5.2.5.15 Recycling of pumps
The vapors generated during the operation of a pump in recycling or during recirculation,
it can cause tank overpressure.
5.3 DETERMINATION OF VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS
5.3.1 General
Although the design guidelines are not presented in this standard, for other circumstances discussed in the
Section 5.2.5 should be considered.
The ventilation requirements are given for the following conditions:
Inhalation resulting from the maximum flow of liquid from the tank.
b. Evacuation of the maximum liquid flow in the tank and the maximum vaporization caused by it.
influx.
c. Evacuation due to fire exposure.
5.3.2 Requirements for normal ventilation capacity
5.3.2.1 The pressure relief devices must be suitable to relieve the flow capacity
determined but not limited by the greatest individual contingency or any combination of
reasonable and probable contingencies, assuming that all points of a tank are closed.
5.3.2.2 The vacuum relief devices must be suitable to relieve the flow capacity.
determined by but not limited to the greatest individual contingency or any combination of
reasonable and probable contingencies. It is permitted to reduce the requirements for vacuum relief capacity.
due to the vaporization rate that results from the minimum normal heat gain to the content. A line of
Gas suppression with proper control and a gas source can be provided to prevent that
the air enters the tank. If a gas repression system is used, it will be used in the devices of
vacuum relief, and there is no credit capacity that can be allowed.
5.3.2.3 The venting capacity requirement for maximum liquid movement out of a tank must
be equivalent to 5.6 SCFH of air for every 42-gallon barrel of the United States (0.94 Nm3/h per meter)
cubic) per hour of maximum liquid discharge speed from any flash point.
5.3.2.4 The ventilation capacity requirement for maximum liquid movement in a tank and the
The resulting vaporization must be equivalent to 12 SCFH of air for every 42 US gallons barrel.
(2.02 Nm3 / h per cubic meter) per hour of maximum filling rate (see Appendix A for the basis of this
requirement).
A tank in which liquid is fed in at or near the boiling point at the pressure of the tank can
require an evacuation capacity that is greater than the previously indicated capacity. The values
previously presented are based on the vaporization of 0.5 percent of the feed liquid. They can
significantly higher vaporization rates occur if the feed is above the point of
boiling. For example, with hexane, 0.4 percent of the feed can vaporize for every 1 °F
(0.56 °C) above the boiling point at the tank pressure.
Note: The protection against liquid overfilling is not covered in this standard but is covered.
in API 620 and in API 2350.
5.3.3 Requirements for emergency venting capacity for tanks exposed to fire
When storage tanks are exposed to fire, the ventilation rate may exceed the
resulting rate under different conditions. The procedures in Sections 5.3.3.1 and 5.3.3.2 will be used
to evaluate the required ventilation capacity for tanks exposed to fire.
5.3.3.1 Emergency ventilation for fire exposure for storage tanks
single wall refrigerated
The capacity of pressure relief valves for fire exposure for tanks of
Single wall refrigerated storage will be determined according to the procedures.
specified in Sections 5.3.3.1.1 to 5.3.3.1.6 and based on the factors contained in tables 5 and 6.
5.3.3.1.1 For tanks exposed to fire, the required venting capacity will be determined.
by the equations 5A or 5B.
A. English units

Where:
SCFH = ventilation requirements in standard cubic feet per hour of air,
Q = Heat input from fire exposure, in BTU per hour.
The heat input is provided in Figure B-1 of Appendix B or the following summary:
A = Area of the wet surface of the tank, in square feet (see footnotes)
Table SA),
F = environmental factor from Table 6A. credit can be taken by a single environmental factor,
L = latent heat of vaporization of the liquid stored in the pressure relief and temperature, in BTU
per pound.
T = relief steam temperature, in degrees Rankine. It is usually assumed that the temperature of
Relief vapor corresponds to the boiling point of the fluid stored at the relief pressure.
M = Molecular weight of the vapor that is released.
B. Metric units

Where:

Nm3/h = Ventilation requirement, in normal cubic meters per hour of air.

Q = Heat input due to exposure to fire, in watts. The heat input is provided in
figure B-1 of appendix B or in the following summary:

A= Area of the wet surface of the tank, in m2 (see notes for table 5B).

F = Environmental factor from table 6B. Credit can only be taken for one environmental factor.

L = Latent heat of vaporization of the filling liquid at the relief temperature and pressure, in
KJ/Kg.

T = Relief steam temperature, in degrees Kelvin. It is generally assumed that the

the temperature of the relief vapor corresponds to the boiling point of the liquid filling at the
relief pressure.

M = Molecular weight of the vapor being relieved.

5.3.3.1.2 When a lower degree of accuracy can be tolerated, the required ventilation capacity is
You can determine from table 5 or Equation 5, as indicated in the following summary:
In English units:

Where:
SCFH = ventilation requirement, in standard cubic feet per hour of air,
F = environmental factor from Table 6A. Credit can be taken for a single environmental factor,
A = area of wet surface, in square feet (see Table SA, footnote a).
Note: equation 6A is based on:
Q = 21,000A^0.82
In metric units we have:

Where:

Nm3/h = ventilation requirement, in normal cubic meters per hour of air.

F = environmental factor of table 6B.

A = Wet surface area in square meters.

Note: Equation 6B is based on:

Q = 43.200 A^0.82

The total heat absorbed, Q, is in BTU per hour for equation 2A and in watts for equation 2B.
table 5 and the constants 1107 and 208.2 in equations 5A and SB, respectively, were derived from the
Equation 4 and Figure B-1 using the latent heat of vaporization of hexane (144 BTU per pound)
335,000 J / kg) at atmospheric pressure and the molecular weight of hexane (86.17) and assuming a
steam temperature of 60 °F (15.6 °C). This method will provide results within one degree of
acceptable precision for many fluids that have similar properties (see appendix B).
The total ventilation rate determined from Table 5 can be multiplied by a
appropriate environmental factor, F, selected from Table 6. The credit can be taken for a single factor
environmental.
Full credit can be obtained for the ventilation capacity provided for the
normal ventilation, since the normal thermal effect can be overlooked during a fire. Additionally,
It can be assumed that there will be no movement of liquid in the tank.
5.3.3.1.5 If normal ventilation devices are inadequate, additional devices
emergency ventilation of the type described in section 5.4.2 so that the total ventilation capacity
be at least equivalent to that required by Table 5 or Equation 4 or 5.
5.3.3.1.6 The total ventilation capacity will be based on the pressure indicated in section 5.5.1.1.
5.3.3.2 Emergency ventilation for fire exposure for storage tanks
double-walled refrigerated units
The heat input from a fire initially causes the vapors in the
Space between the walls of a double-walled refrigerated warehouse.
the tank expands, and the heat input also causes the vapors in
The space of the ceiling of a double-walled tank with a suspended floor.
isolation to expand; however, it may take several hours before
The increase in heat input to the stored liquid causes a significant
higher vaporization rate. The ventilation requirements.
To handle the increase in vaporization may be small in comparison
To the requirements for the management of the initial volumetric.
Expansion of the vapors.
Due to the emergency ventilation for a double-walled refrigerated unit.
The storage tank is complex, no calculation method is presented.
Here. A detailed analysis of the fire relief for a double wall.
refrigerated storage tank, including a review of the
The integrity of the dry parts of the exterior wall must be
driven
5.4 MEANS OF VENTILATION
5.4.1 Normal ventilation
Normal ventilation will be carried out through a relief device.
(See standard API 620).
5.4.1.1 Any relief device must be designed so that it is
Protect the tank in case of failure of any essential part.
5.4.1.2 A tank that can be damaged by internal vacuum
must have at least one set of vacuum relief devices
and is designed to open into a void that is sufficient to protect the
damage tank.
The wet area of a tank or storage container will be calculated as follows:
Sphere and spheroids: the wet area is equal to 55 percent of the total surface area.
or of the surface area at a height of 30 feet (9.14 meters)
above the degree, whichever is greater.
Horizontal tanks: the wet area is equal to 75 percent of the total surface area or the area of
surface at a height of 30 feet (9.14 meters) above
Degree, whichever is higher.
Vertical tanks: the wet area is equal to the total surface area of the vertical cover at a height
30 feet (9.14 meters) above ground level. For a vertical
If the tank is placed on the ground, the area of the ground plates should not be included as wet area.
For a vertical tank supported above the level, a
Part of the background area should be included as additional wet surface. The part of the area of the
the exposure of the fund to a fire depends on the
Diameter and elevation of the tank above the level. Engineering judgment will be used to evaluate the
portion of the area exposed to fire.
For wet surfaces over 2,800 square feet (260 square meters), refer to Section
5.3.3.1.3.
Note:
Table 5 and the constants 1107 and 208.2 in equations 6A and 6B, respectively, were derived from the
equation 5 and figure B-1 using the latent
heat of vaporization (144 BTU per pound or 334900 J / kg) at atmospheric pressure and the molecular weight of
hexane (86.17) and assuming a
Steam temperature of 60 °F (15.6 °C). This method will provide results within one degree.
acceptable precision for many fluids that have similar levels
properties (see appendix B).
a) The insulation must withstand the removal of the fire-fighting equipment, it must not be combustible and
it should not decompose at temperatures up to 1000 °F (537.8 °C). The user is responsible
to determine if the insulation will withstand the eviction by the extinguishing team
available fires. If the insulation does not meet these criteria, no should be taken.
credit for insulation. The conductance values are based on the insulation with a
thermal conductivity of 4 BTU per hour per square foot per degree per inch of thickness (9
watts per square meter per °C per centimeter of thickness). The user is responsible for
determine the actual conductance value of the insulation used. The conservative value of 4
BTU per hour per square foot per ºF per inches of thickness (thickness (9 watts per meter
square by °C by centimeter of thickness.

It is used foot per inch of thickness (9 watts per square meter per ° C per centimeter of thickness)
for thermal conductivity.
These factors are based on the thermal conductivity values shown and a temperature differential.
at 1600 °F (888.9 °C) when using a heat input of 21,000 BTU per hour per foot
square (66,200 watts per square meter) according to the conditions assumed in API
Recommended
Practice 521. When these conditions do not exist, engineering judgment must be used to
select a different factor F or provide other means.
To protect the tank from fire exposure.
Use the F factor for an equivalent insulation conductance value.
Under ideal conditions, water films that cover metal surfaces can absorb the
majority of the incident radiations. The reliability of the water application depends.
In many factors. The frozen weather, strong winds, obstructed systems, the supply of
unreliable water and the conditions of the tank surface can prevent uniformity
Water coverage. Due to these uncertainties, the reduction of the factors is not recommended.
environmental; however, as stated earlier, properly applied water can be very
effective.
Debugging devices can be used, but credit should not be allowed for dimensioning the
ventilation device for fire exposure.
The following conditions must be met: a slope of no less than 1% must be provided.
one hundred from the tank at least 50 feet (15 meters) towards the containment area; the area of
the confinement must have a capacity that is not less than the capacity of the largest tank that
it can drain into it; the drainage system routes from other tanks to their containment areas do not
they must seriously expose the tank; and the containment area for the tank, as well as the areas of
Containment for the other tanks (whether remote or with dikes around the other tanks) must
to position oneself so that when the area is full to its capacity, its liquid level is no closer
50 feet (15 meters) from the tank.
Notes:
The insulation must withstand the evacuation of the fire-fighting equipment, it must not be combustible and must not
decompose at temperatures up to 1000 °F (537.8 °C). The user is responsible for determining whether the
isolation will withstand the eviction by the available firefighting team. If the
isolation does not meet these criteria, no credit should be taken for isolation. The values
of conductance are based on the insulation with a thermal conductivity of 4 BTU per hour per foot
square foot per °F per inch of thickness (9 watts per square meter per °C per centimeter of thickness).
The user is responsible for determining the real conductance value of the insulation used. The value
4 BTU per hour per square foot air conditioner.
It is used foot per °F per inch of thickness (9 watts per square meter per °C per centimeter of
thickness) for thermal conductivity.
These factors F are based on the thermal conductivity values shown and a differential of
temperature of 1600 °F (888.9 °C) when using a heat input of 21,000 BTU per hour
per square foot (66,200 watts per square meter) according to the conditions assumed in API
Recommended
Practice 521. When these conditions do not exist, engineering judgment must be used to
select a different factor F or to provide other means.
To protect the tank from fire exposure, use the factor F for a conductivity value.
equivalent of isolation.
Under ideal conditions, water films that cover metallic surfaces can absorb the
most of the incident radiations. The reliability of the water application depends on many factors.
The frozen weather, strong winds, obstructed systems, unreliable water supply and
conditions of the tank surface may prevent water coverage. Due to these uncertainties,
the reduction of environmental factors is not recommended; however, as previously indicated,
Correctly applied water can be very effective.
Debugging devices can be used, but credit should not be allowed to scale it.
ventilation device for fire exposure.
The following conditions must be met: a slope of no less than 1 percent must be provided.
one hundred feet from the tank at least 50 feet (15 meters) towards the confinement area; the area of
The confinement must have a capacity that is not less than the capacity of the largest tank that
it can drain into it; the drainage system routes of other tanks to their containment areas do not
they must seriously expose the tank; and the containment area for the tank as well as the areas of
confinement for the other tanks (whether remote or with dikes around the other tanks) must
position oneself so that when the area is filled to its capacity, its liquid level is not closer
50 feet (15 meters) from the tank.