12

12

>2

0,75 - 2

R2

R1 > R2

R1

No roof platform
required

Roof platform
required

Fig. 1 Impact of blanketing gas pressure on Atm. Tanks Constructability

Rule-of-thumb for tank roof plate thickness calculation says:
t=

PxR
+ CA
(SxJxM)

Where:
P.- Design (Internal) Pressure
R.- Roof Normal radius
S.- Material Allowable Stress (Carbon Steel)
J.- Join efficient
M.- Temperature reduction factor
CA.- Corrosion allowance

If we are going to use standard Carbon Steel as the tank construction material (we will)
and we want to use minimum commercial plate thicknesses for instance: 1/4 inch- to
conform tank roof (and we want), there are two variables we can play with to make that
happen:

Roof Normal radius (R); and

Design Internal- Pressure (P)

Roof Normal radius

In order to make the Normal Radius (R) smaller, we can increase the inclination of the
roof. However if we increase that inclination too much we will be introducing the
requirement of a top access platform see figure 1- with the consequent increase in
constructability issues (like not being able to use automatic welding machine due to the
roof inclination) and cost of the tank (additional steel for platforms and roof are in
excess)
Design Internal- Pressure
Be aware that Atmospheric tanks Design Internal Pressure shall take into account the
blanketing gas pressure and it could be set to be as low as -0,4 inches of Water column
(see figure 2, 3 and 4). Is in this last issue (blanketing gas pressure) where we can
effectively take action to optimize atmospheric tanks design by setting a blanketing gas
pressure small enough to allow tank designers to use standard/commercial figures into
their design.

Fig. 2 Pressure Regulators capabilities (VAREC Vapor Control product catalog)

FULL TANK PROTECTION SYSTEM

15%
25%

Design Tank Pressure (MAWP)

ERV Relieving Full Flow
ERV Setting

9.0
7.5
6.0

PVRV Relieving Full Flow

50%
4.0

PVRV Setting

Working
Band

Droop> 15%

0.50
0.43
0
-1.0

Blanketing System Closes

Blanketing System Full Open
Atmospheric Pressure
Vacuum Valve Setting
Design Tank Pressure (MAWV)

Fig. 3 Atm. Tanks Pressure sets rule-of-thumb

Having said all that, what Y&V is trying to accomplish is to get included into the
Constructability Check List the following issue:
Description
Blanketing pressure for atmospheric tanks should be set to a value as low as possible in
order to avoid increasing the thickness and the inclination of the tank roof as well as the
requirement for top-tank access platforms. Interdisciplinary coordination (Control
System/Process/Mechanical) is required when setting blanketing pressure for atmospheric
tanks.
Impact On
HSE (hazardous working conditions due to tank roof inclination)
Schedule (Not using Automatic Welding Machines due to tank roof inclination
will introduce delays and lower productivity; or, using plates thicker than inch
may introduce delays too since this plates are harder to find in the local market)
Quality (more quality control would be required if roof plates are manually
welded)
Cost (excessive material for roof greater surface or thicker plates; additional
access platforms; and, larger and heavier roof clips)
Responsible
PRS / INST / VS

Fig. 4 Atm. Tanks Pressure sets

in a previous job