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Introduction to API Storage tanks and their venting

Presentation · October 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29581.33762

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 INTRODUCTION
TO
API STORAGE TANKS AND THEIR VENTING

By-Gaurav Srivastava, MIIChE

Page 1 of 19
TYPES OF STORAGE TANKS

Page 2 of 19
 MAJOR CLASSIFICATION

Storage tanks can be divided into the following types:

A. Atmospheric storage

B. Pressure storage

C. Refrigerated storage

Page 3 of 19
STORAGE TANKS - ATMOSPHERIC TANKS

A. Atmospheric storage Tanks

- Applied to tanks operating at or near atmospheric pressure.
- They are used to hold liquids which will not vaporize at ambient temperature.

Atmospheric tanks are categorized primarily as follows:

1. Open top (no roof)
- has no roof and may store or process non-volatile liquids such as water, brine, etc.

2. Fixed roof
- Fixed roof tanks, such as cone roof or umbrella roof are used to store low vapor
pressure liquids which will not vaporize at temperature below 120oF.
- Generally used for gas oil, water, chemicals.

3. Floating roof
- Floating roof such as hard top pan and pontoon roof types eliminate the vapor space
above the liquid, allows storage of higher vapor pressure materials.
- Generally used for crude oil, gasoline, naphtha

Page 4 of 19
STORAGE TANKS - PRESSURE STORAGE TANKS
B. Pressure storage tanks

Applies to storage equipment designed to withstand pressures sufficient to keep fluid

in liquid phase. Used for high vapor pressure liquid such as butane, propane etc.

a) Bullets
- For smaller storage tanks, the bullets are preferred because they can be shop
fabricated and more easily transported. So cheaper overall installed cost.
- Mounded bullets storage is generally safer than other methods of storing the highly
inflammable LPG.

b) Spheres
- Generally used to store high vapor pressure liquid
- It can contain the higher volume of liquid for a given mass of metal. So cheaper fixed
cost.
- A sphere can also withstand greater pressures with a given plate thickness than
cylindrical vessels.
- more difficult to fabricate, and Transport

Page 5 of 19
STORAGE TANKS - REFRIGERATED
STORAGE TANKS
C. Refrigerated storage tanks

- refers to low temperature/cryogenic storage

- In cryogenic storage the gas is at, or near to atmospheric pressure and

remains liquid because of low temperature.

According to API-625, Stored product shall be liquids which are in a gaseous

state at ambient temperature and pressure and require refrigeration to store
less than 5 °C (40 °F) to maintain a liquid phase.

Page 6 of 19
FIXED ROOF TANKS

Page 7 of 19
EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS

Page 8 of 19
INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS

Page 9 of 19
 APPLICABLE API CODES FOR TANKS

• API 2000: Venting Atmospheric and Low-pressure Storage Tanks

• API 620: Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-pressure Storage Tanks
(with internal pressures up to 15 psig)

• API 625: Tank Systems for Refrigerated Liquefied Gas Storage

• API 650: Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage (with internal pressures up to 2.5 psig)

• API 2510: Design and Construction of LPG Installations

• API-2517: Evaporating Losses from External Floating Roof Tanks

• API-2519: Evaporating Losses from Internal Floating Roof Tanks

• API 2350: Overfill Protection for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities

Page 10 of 19
SELECTION OF TANK
Selection of specific type of tank and type of roof depends upon the intended service
conditions, such as the product being stored, its vapor pressure and corrosive nature and
anticipated weather and loading conditions. Cone roof tanks are recommended for products
with lower vapor pressure or with less emission control requirement. Even for products
with higher vapor pressure, cone roof tanks can be used if the product capacity is less and
necessary venting and blanketing arrangements are provided. Cone roof tanks are cheaper
and easier to construct. Maintenance is very simple. Floating roof tanks are recommended
for storing products of higher volatility. The steel deck provide good insulation over the
entire surface of the liquid.

VENTING OF TANKS
Venting is required for all tanks. The venting system provided shall cater for the following:
a) normal vacuum relief
b) normal pressure relief
c) emergency pressure relief
Normal venting is accomplished by a pressure relief valve, a vacuum relief valve, a pressure
vacuum (PV) valve or an open vent with or without a flame-arresting device. Emergency
venting is by means of the following: Larger or additional valves or open vents. A gauge
hatch that permits the cover to lift under abnormal internal pressure. A manhole cover that
lifts when exposed to abnormal internal pressure. By means of frangible joint.

Page 11 of 19
CAUSES OF OVERPRESSURE OR VACUUM

a. Liquid movement into or out of the tank.

b. Tank breathing due to weather changes (e.g., pressure and temperature changes).

c. Fire exposure.

d. Other circumstances resulting from equipment failures and operating errors

Page 12 of 19
DETERMINATION OF VENTING REQUIREMENTS

Inbreathing resulting from maximum outflow of liquid from the tank (with no inflow).

Thermal inbreathing resulting from contraction or condensation of vapors caused by

maximum decrease in vapor space temperature due to drop in Atm. Temp. (at night or

during rain)

Out breathing resulting from maximum inflow of liquid into the tank and maximum

vaporization caused by such inflow (with no outflow).

Thermal out breathing resulting from expansion and vaporization that result from

maximum increase in vapor space temperature due to rise in Atm. Temp. (at noon)

Out breathing resulting from fire exposure.

Page 13 of 19
REQUIREMENTS FOR NORMAL VENTING
CAPACITY
The total normal venting capacity shall be at least the sum of the venting
requirements for liquid movement and thermal effect; however, the required
capacity may be reduced for products whose volatility is such that vapor generation
or condensation within the permissible operating range of tank pressure will provide
all or part of the venting requirements. In cases in which non-condensables are
present, this should be taken into account. A summary of the venting requirements
for inbreathing and out breathing due to liquid movement out of and into a tank and
thermal effects are shown in Tables 1 and 2 as per API Standard 2000, fifth Edition,
1998.

Page 14 of 19
Page 15 of 19
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY VENTING
CAPACITY FOR TANKS SUBJECT TO FIRE
EXPOSURE
When storage tanks are exposed to fire, the venting rate may exceed the rate resulting
from a combination of normal thermal effects and liquid movement. In such cases, the
construction of the tank will determine whether additional venting capacity must be
provided.

Page 16 of 19
Page 17 of 19
A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF SIDE BY SIDE PRESSURE/ VACUUM VENT

Page 18 of 19
 Page 19 of 19

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