STORAGE

TANKS
1.0 STORAGE CLASSIFICATION
1.1 ATMOSPHERIC
Atmospheric pressure tanks are designed and equipped for
storage of contents at atmospheric pressure. This category
usually employs tanks of vertical cylindrical configuration that
range in size from small shop welded to large field erected
tanks. Bolted tanks, and occasionally rectangular welded tanks,
are also used for atmospheric storage service.
1.2

LOW PRESSURE [0 to 17 kPa (ga)]
Low pressure tanks are normally used in applications for
storage of intermediates and products that require an internal
gas pressure from close to atmospheric up to a gas pressure of

17 kPa (ga).
The shape is generally cylindrical with flat or dished bottoms
and sloped or domed roofs. Low pressure storage tanks are
usually of welded design. However, bolted tanks are often used
for operating pressures near atmospheric. Many refrigerated

storage tanks operate at approximately 3.5 kPa (ga).
1.3

MEDIUM PRESSURE [17 to 100 kPa (ga)]
Medium pressure tanks are normally used for the storage of
higher volatility intermediates and products that cannot be
stored in.
1.4

HIGH PRESSURE [Above 100 kPa (ga)]
High pressure tanks are generally used for storage of refined

products or fractionated components at pressure above 100
kPa (ga). Tanks are of welded design and may be of
cylindrical or spherical configuration.

2.0 TYPES AND RANGE OF PRELIMINARY SIZING OF
VERTICAL
TANKS
Standard vertical tanks are available in several types, which differ
in vapor-saving efficiency and in cost.
Not every type is available in the full range of diameters, the
various types of standard tanks, in order of increasing vapor-saving
efficiency and the range of diameters in which each type is
available.
Therefore, tank type generally selected are dose offering good
vapor conservation characteristics, those that minimize or eliminate
the likelihood of fire or explosion and those capable of being
purchased at a reasonable cost.
2.1 OPEN TOP TANKS
This type of tank has no roof and shall not be selected for the
storage of petroleum products, but may be used for fire
water/cooling water and raw water. They are available in

diameters of 3m to 78 m.
2.2 FIXED ROOF TANKS
Such tanks are generally used in refineries where the product
stored does not readily vaporize at the ambient or stored
temperature conditions.
These tanks are operated with a vapor space above the liquid.
Depending on the materials to be stored, fixed roof tanks can be
designed for storage at atmospheric pressure in which case they
are equipped with open vents. For materials, they can be

designed for pressures up to a maximum of about 50 mbar (5
kPa).
Weak shell-to-roof welds can be incorporated to give protection
to the tank shell in the event of excessive internal pressure.
They are also designed for slight vacuum conditions not

normally exceeding 6 mbar (0.6 kPa).
Fixed roof tanks should be adequately earthed as a protection
against lightning.
These tanks can be divided into cone roof and dome roof types
and each type can be further sub-divided into non-pressure,
low-pressure and high-pressure fixed roof tanks.
2.2.1 Non-pressure fixed roof tanks are suitable for storage at
atmospheric pressure and are therefore provided with
open vents.
2.2.2 Low-pressure fixed roof tanks are designed to work at a
low internal pressure or vacuum .They are provided with
pressure/vacuum breather valves set to be fully open at
the design pressures.
2.2.3 High-pressure fixed roof tanks are designed to work at
higher internal pressure or vacuum and are also fitted with
pressure/vacuum breather valves set to be fully open at
the design pressures. This tank type shall fulfill additional
requirements to ensure its stability.
The assessed maximum design conditions and the
standard diameters available for each type are as follows:
3.2.3.1. Cone roof tanks
Designpressure/vacuum Diameter range
mbar (g) m
Non-pressure BNC

7.5/2.5

3 to 60 incl.
Low-pressure BLC

20/6.0

3 to 39 incl.
High-pressure BHC

56/6.0

3 to 20 incl.
Code

3.2.3.2. Dome roof tanks

Designpressure/vacuum Diameter range
mbar (g) m
Non-pressure BND

7.5/2.5

15 to 39 incl.
Low-pressure BLD

20/6.0

15 to 39 incl.
High-pressure BHD

56/6.0

15 to 20 incl.
Code

Refer to:
STANDARD VERTICAL TANKS SELECTION, DESIGN AND

FABRICATION DEP 34.51.01.31-Gen (THE ROYAL DUTCH/SHELL
GROUP)
3.0 TYPES OF STANDARD VERTICAL TANKS
Classified according to the types and diameters of standard vertical
tanks, some general data are given in the table below.

The following letter prefixes are used to identify the standard tanks
described in this specification.
BHC = High-pressure cone roof tank
BLC = Low-pressure cone roof tank
BNC = Non-pressure cone roof tank
BHD = High-pressure dome roof tank
BLD = Low-pressure dome roof tank
BND = Non-pressure dome roof tank
BOT = Open top tank
BOF = Open top tank with floating roof
3.1 FIXED ROOF TANKS WITH FLOATING COVERS
Such tanks can be used, for example, where:
4.1.1. Snow loading on a floating roof may be a problem;
4.1.2. Contamination by rainwater of the liquid stored in a
floating roof tank is unacceptable;
4.1.3. There is an environmental or vapor loss problem with
fixed roof tanks; or,
4.1.4. Contact of the stored liquid with air should be avoided.
Pressure/vacuum valves or ventilating slits may be used.
In the latter case vent outlets are required in the upper
ring of the tank shell and in the highest point of the fixed
roof. This will assist in reducing the gas concentration in
the space between the fixed roof and the internal floating
cover to below the lower flammability limit. Such vent
outlets should be constructed so as to prevent the ingress
of snow and rain. When screens are provided, the mesh
opening should

not be less than 6 mm square.
There has been some history of internal floating covers
sinking in service; they should therefore be carefully
designed to minimize such a possibility.
The internal floating cover should also be designed to
avoid fouling or obstruction of tank connections and of
the fixed roof members and should be electrically bonded
to the main tank structure. The tank should be adequately
earthed as a protection against lightning. For further

design details refer to API Bulletin 2519 and B

S 2654.
The fixed roof tank a floating cover can be installed to
give a further reduction of vapor losses. Such tanks
should be designed as low-pressure tanks and be limited

to a maximum diameter of 39 m.
If free vents are to be provided their number and size

shall fulfill the requirements of BS 2654 Appendix E.





















3.2 FLOATING ROOF TANKS
Such tanks are generally used for liquids to minimize product
loss and for safety and environmental reasons. There is a
preference for floating roof over fixed roof tanks as the size of
the tank increases, as the vapor pressure of the stored liquid
increases, and when the flash point is below the storage
temperature.
The roof consists of an arrangement of buoyancy compartments
(pontoons) and floats on the liquid. It is sealed against the walls
of the tank by mechanical means or by tubular type seals. The
roof is provided with support legs which can be adjusted to hold
it in either of two positions.
The upper position should be high enough to permit access for
tank cleaning and maintenance.
The lower position should keep the roof just above inlet and
outlet nozzles, the drainage system, and other accessories
located near the tank bottom.
Floating roof tanks are normally equipped with rolling ladders.
The tank shell is earthed and the roof and all fittings, such as
the rolling ladder, are adequately bonded to the shell as a
protection against lightning. All internals such as gage floats,
cables and mixers must also be suitably earthed to prevent
accumulation of electric charge.

They may be used for the storage of products with vapor
pressure close to atmospheric.
Floating roof tank virtually eliminate filling losses and also
minimize the fire and explosion risk when handling flammable
liquid. This type of tank is designed to work at atmospheric
pressure.

Although normally recommended only for diameters of 15 m
and greater, this does not exclude its use in smaller diameters in
special circumstances. The diameter of a floating roof tank shall
at least be equal to its height to enable the use of a normal
rolling ladder for access to the roof.








































4.0 TYPE OF ROOF
The selection between a fixed roof freely vented tank, floating roof
tank or fixed roof tank with a vapor recovery system is made on the
basis of the natural vapor pressure of the stored material at the
storage temperature.
The flammability of the stored material, regulations governing the
emission of the vapor to the atmosphere together with the cost of
the product lost due to evaporation, should also be considered.
In the U. S. the Environmental Protection Agency requires the
following with respect to the storage of hydrocarbons in petroleum
refineries:
Hydrocarbons with a natural vapor pressure at the storage
temper

ature of 1.5 psia (78 mm Hg) or less may be stored in a
freely vented fixed roof tank
Hydrocarbons with a natural vapor pressure at -the storage
temperature

between 1.5 psia (78 mm Hg) and 11.0 psia '(570 mm
Hg) may be stored in floating roof type tanks
Hydrocarbons with a natural vapor pressure at the storage

temperature in excess of 11.0 psia (570 mm Hg) should be stored in
a fixed roof tank with a vapor recovery or refrigeration system.

The Engineering Department in conjunction with the tank
fabricator shall decide as between a coned or domed roof for a
fixed roof tank.
For flammable liquids the choice of storage tank type and/or the
requirement for blanketing is influenced by the safety of the tank
especially during filling and emptying operations. Flammable
liquids are classified as:
Low Vapor-Pressure Products
Intermediate Vapor-Pressure Products
High Vapor-Pressure Products
Low vapor-pressure products are classified as those flammable

liquids which are handled at a bulk liquid temperature at least 15F
below their flash point. This classification usually includes those

products with flash points above 100F. Products in this
classification include heating oil, kerosene, diesel oil and lube
stocks. Since these products, when stored in freely vented fix ed

roof tPn1cc, will not form a flammable vapor-air mixture.
unless heated above their flash points, storage in this type of tank
may be considered safe.
Intermediate vapor-pressure products are classified as those
flammable liquids which are likely to produce a flammable vapor-
air mixture in the vapor space of a freely vented tank. Under liquid

handling temperatures between about 35F to 100F, flammable

liquids having both a Reid vapor pressure below 5.0 psia and a

flash point below 100F will fall in this, classification. Products
include aviation turbine kerosenes and solvents such as benzene,
toluene and xylene. Storage of these products in floating roof or
blanketed fixed roof tanks offers a higher degree of safety than
storage in open vent fixed roof tanks. When handling intermediate
vapor pressure stocks in fixed roof tanks, with an unblanketed
vapor space, the following precautions should be observed:

The filling nozzle size selected, based on maximum pump-in rate,
should be consistent with--allowable pressure drop & velocity
criteria. Initial filling rates should be such that the velocity through

the inlet nozzle is held to 3 ft/sec or less until the nozzle is well
covered.
Agitation of the product should be avoided.
Entrainment of water with the product should also be avoided.
Internals should be kept in electrical continuity with the tank
structure.
The above points concerning "intermediate vapor pressure"
products are particularly important when these products are poor
electrical conductors. When such charge accumulating type
products are subjected to turbulence, electrostatic charging within
the material will occur increasing the sparking potential and hence
the hazard within the system particularly when flammable vapor-air
mixtures are present.
The practicality of compliance with these recommendations, for
intermediate vapor pressure products stored in freely vented tanks,
should be considered when tank selection is being-made.
High vapour pressure products are classified as those flammable
liqu

ids whose Reid vapor pressures are above 5 psia. Products in
this classification are aviation and motor grade gasoline and certain
naphtha stocks. (High vapor pressure products, such as LPG, stored
in closed systems are not under consideration here). Although the
storage temperature for these liquids may be such that a flammable
vapor-air mixture would not be predicted to occur normally,
however under abnormal conditions lean mixtures may be present
at certain times in these tanks (just prior to filling) and similar
precautions should be taken as noted for intermediate vapor
pressure products.
The following points should also be considered with respect to tank
type selection:
High vapor pressure products stored in fixed roof freely vented
tanks will result in higher loss of product than storage of the same
product in a floating roof tank.
Storage of products in fixed roof freely vented tanks though
acceptable from an environmental and safety standpoint may result
in product contamination due to moisture condensation or product
oxidation from air due to inbreathing.
Floating roof tanks should be used when blending a range of
different vapor pressure components.
Floating roof tanks may be considered unacceptable in certain
geographic areas where excessive snowfall and icing may cause the
tank roof to maloperate. However covered floating roof-tanks may
be used in these locations. A covered floating roof tank is essentially
a fixed cone roof tank fitted with a single deck roof, floating freely
on the liquid surface. Since the floating roof is protected from the
elements, the maloperation associated with snow or ice loading will
not occur. (See Appendix-

2 Fig. 3 for sketch).
For certain large size tanks the cost of floating roof type can be
less than the cost of a fixed roof tank of similar size.

5.0

API STANDARD 650
Typical sizes and capacities are listed in as following table.
Typical sizes and corresponding nominal capacities for tanks with

1800 mm courses










CONTENT
DENSITY @ T,P ( kg / m
3
)
DESIGN CODE RVP OF CONTENT (PSI)
OPER./STORAGE TEMP.(
o
C) CORROSION ALLOWANCE (mm)
DESIGN TEMPERATURE (
o
C) MATERIAL
OPER.PRESSURE (BARG) INSULATION
DESIGN PRESSURE (BARG) MAX. INLET/OUTLET RATE (M
3
/HR)

NORMAL CAPACITY (M3) ID X HEIGHT (mm)
PROCESS CONNECTIONS

NOTE 2 : MUST BE SPECIFIED & FINALIZED BY MECHANICAL DEPT.

NOTE 3 : MUST BE FINALIZED BY INSTRUMENT DEPT.

NOTE 4 : MUST BE VERIFIED BY VENDOR.
PROJECT: PAGE: 2 OWNER: DOC NO.:
OF: 2

DISTRIBUTION TO: 1.PROCESS DEPT.

2.MECHANICAL DEPT.
REV. ORIG. 1 2 3 4
CHAGALESH STORAGE TANK PREP.
CONSULTING PROCESS DATA SHEET CHECK.
ENGINEERS APPR.
DATE 06.05
ITEM NO.:

TK-202A /H (NOTE 1) SERVICE: MAZUT STORAGE TANK
SITE: PARS SPECIAL ENERGY ECONOMIC ZONE PROJECT NO.:

CH-187
TYPE OF TANK Vertical / Fixed roof
FUEL OIL
972.85

API - 650 -
45 1.6
85 C.S.
ATM. NO
REMARKS
ATM.

510.24/ 659.22
13600

38000 x 12000
NO. SKETCH
1 INLET 12 1
CON. DESCRIPTION SIZE(IN)
1
3 DRAIN 4 1
2 OUTLET 18
1
5 LSHH CONN. -

NOTE 3 2
4 TI CONN. -

NOTE 3
1
7 LIT CONN. -

NOTE 3 1
6 EMERGENCY VENT 18

NOTE 4
1
9 LSLL CONN. -

NOTE 3 2
8 SAMPLE HATCH 8

NOTE 2

2(NOTE 2)
11 SHELL MANHOLE 24,24,36

NOTE 2

3(NOTE 2)
10 ROOF MANHOLE 24

NOTE 2
1
13 HEATER INLET 8

NOTE 4 1
12 FREE VENT 4

NOTE 4

DS-99-2-010-0
1
NOTE :
PARS SPECIAL ENERGY
ECONOMIC ZONE AIRCRAFT
& MARINE FUELING SYSTEM
P.S.E.E.Z.
14 HEATER OUTLET 10

NOTE 4

In above data sheet characteristics of liquid storaged is filled.The main
characteristics are operating and design temperature and pressure, max
inlet and outlet flowrate and spgr of content.
6.0 TYPICAL SCHEME
Following typical storage tank drawing are shown.