Petroleum Tanks

De Guzman, Neo Jade A.

Guanlao, John Carl B
 Storage Tanks

 Storage tanks are containers that hold liquids,

compressed gases or mediums used for the short- or
long-term storage of heat or cold. The term can be
used for reservoirs (artificial lakes and ponds), and for
manufactured containers.
Some storage tanks need a floating roof in addition to
or in lieu of the fixed roof and structure. This floating
roof rises and falls with the liquid level inside the tank,
thereby decreasing the vapor space above the liquid
level. Floating roofs are considered a safety
requirement as well as a pollution prevention measure
for many industries including petroleum refining.
Types Of Storage Tanks
 Petroleum
tanks

Atmospheric Pressurized

Floating
Fixed Roof
Roof

Internal External

Pontoon Double Deck

 Atmospheric Type

Atmospheric Type

It holds liquid which will not vaporize at ambient

temperature. ▪ Examples: Open top, Fixed Roof and
Floating roof.
 Pressurized Type

 It applies to those vessels which are designed to

withstand pressure sufficient to keep the liquid
stored from vaporizing ▪ Examples: Pressure tanks for
hydrocarbons such as propane, butane, and etc.
 Types of storage tanks
(Vertical Tanks)

 Open Top Tanks ▪ Used to store fire water and

cooling water.
 Fixed Roof Tanks

 A typical fixed-roof tank consists of a cylindrical steel

shell with a cone-or dome-shaped roof that is
permanently affixed to the tank shell.
How are these Tanks Constructed ?
 Fixed Roof Tanks
 Fixed Roof Tanks ▪ It can be designed as atmospheric,
low, or high pressure tanks depending on the product
needed to be stored.
 ▪ A breather Valve (pressure-vacuum Valve), which is
commonly installed on many fixed-roof tanks, allows
the tank to operate at a slight internal pressure or
vacuum. This Valve prevents the release of vapors
during only very small changes in temperature,
barometric pressure, or liquid level, the emissions
from a fixe droof tank can be appreciable.
Breather Valve
 Floating Roof Tanks

 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.

-
- Crude oil should be stabilized to vapor pressures less
than 11psia.

- An internal floating roof tank has both a permanent

fixed roof and a floating desk inside. The deck of an
internal floating roof tank rises and falls with the liquid
level whilst in full contact on the underside thus
achieving no vapor zone.
 External Floating Roof Tanks

-A typical external floating roof tank consists of an

open-topped cylindrical steel shell equipped with a roof
that floats on the surface of the stored liquid, rising and
falling with the liquid level
- The floating roof is comprised of a deck, fittings, and
rim seal system. Floating roof decks are constructed of
welded steel plates and are of three general types: pan,
pontoon, and double deck. Although numerous pan-
type decks are currently in use, the present trend is
toward pontoon and double-deck type floating roofs.
 The liquid surface is covered by the floating deck,
except in the small annular space between the deck
and the shell; the deck may contact the liquid or float
directly above the surface on pontoons.

 ▪ External floating roof tanks are equipped with a rim

seal system, which is attached to the roof perimeter
and contacts the tank wall. The rim seal system slides
against the tank wall as the roof is raised and
lowered. ▪
- The floating deck is also equipped with fittings that
penetrate the deck and serve operational functions. The
external floating roof design is such that evaporative
losses from the stored liquid are limited to losses from
the rim seal system and deck fittings (standing storage
loss) and any exposed liquid on the tank walls
(withdrawal loss).
 External floating roof tanks

 The' Pontoon ' Roof:

- This consists of a series of pontoons -(closed

compartments) around the outer edge of a central
plate. This construction increases the floating stability.
The roof is also sloped towards thecentreto allow rain
water to flow into a water drainage system.
 The 'Double-Deck' Roof:

-This is a development which employs two separate

decks of steel plate over the entire tank area. The space
between the upper and lower plates is divided into
compartments. With this type, the liquid is never in
contact with the underside of a plate whose top surface
is directly exposed to the sun's rays, as is the centre
section area of the pontoon roof and the full area of the
pan type roof.
 Fixed Roof
Vs
Floating Roof Tanks
Differences between a fixed roof tank and a
floating roof tank

 Oil inlet
▪ Fixed roof: flows from the top for fixed roof tanks and
strikes an expanding plate to assist in gas separation.

▪ Floating roof: It flows via the bottom for floating roof

tanks.
 Evaporated gas

▪ Fixed roof: Any remaining gas is connected to the low

pressure flare for fixed roof tanks.

▪ Floating roof: The roof floats on the liquid and

eliminates the vapour space above the liquid for
floating roof tanks
 Ventilation

▪ Fixed roof: The fixed roof tank is equipped with a

double breather valve for pressure to bleed off or for air
to suck in.

▪ Floating roof: The floating roof tank is equipped by an

automatic bleeder vent
 Sealing

▪ Fixed roof: The fixed roof tank contents can evaporate

so a nitrogen blanket is maintained over the liquid
surface as a seal.

▪ Floating roof: Floating roof is sealed to the side of the

tank by weights, rubbers or springs loads.
Design Requirements
Tank Storage

 ▪ Shall be made of steel or other approved

nonflammable materials
 ▪ Other materials are permitted for underground use
 ▪ Concrete tanks (must have a special interior lining)
and be designed with sound engineering practices
 ▪ Operating pressures must never exceed the design
pressure
Tank Storage

 Metal tanks shall be welded, riveted, and caulked,

brazed, or bolted, or constructed by use of a
combination of these method

 Filler metals used in tank brazing shall be nonferrous

metal or an alloy having a melting point above 1000°F
and below that of the metal joined
Tank Storage

 Atmospheric tanks shall be built in accordance with

acceptable standards . Not exceed 2500 gallons, if
originally designed for underground but placed above
ground and not be used to store liquids at or above
their boiling points.
Tank Storage

 Low pressure tanks

 Normal operating pressure of the tank shall not
exceed the design pressure of the tank.
 Pressure vessels may be used as low-pressure tanks.
Tank Storage
 Drainage, dikes and walls
-Area surrounding aboveground tanks shall be provided
with drainage or be diked to prevent accidental
discharge of liquid.
-If diked, the area should be able to hold the capacity of
a full tank.
-Walls of the diked area shall be of earth, steel, concrete
or solid masonry designed to be liquid tight.
Ignition sources
 Precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of
flammable vapors. Includes but are not limited to
open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding;
hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and
mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including
heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat.
Pipes, Valves, and Fittings

 The design (including selection of materials)

fabrication, assembly, test, and inspection of piping
systems containing flammable or combustible liquids
shall be suitable for the expected working pressures
and structural stresses