25

ρ​f​ - density of fluid stores

h - height of storage tank
A - cross sectional area
σ - yield stress of construction material
J - joint efficiency

Here, we take the base as S500MC high yield steel with σ = 500 MPa.

Putting the values in the equation, we have, t =

Therefore, ​t = 32 cm

2. For storage of final product (lactic acid solution)

Lactic acid production = ​25 tonnes

Volume = m​3

= ​20.73 m​3

Taking​ h/d = 1.5 ​for all calculations.

We have, volume of tank = 20.73 m​3

Or,

d = 2.6 m

Rounding off, we have ​d = 3 m

And, ​h = 4.5 m
 26

a. Thickness of walls

For finding the thickness of the side walls, we first need to find the maximum pressure at the bottom of the tank,
i.e. at a height of 4.5 m.

P = ​53220.69 Pa

Now, putting the values in the known formula for thickness of cylindrical walls:

Hence, t = 0.46 mm.

Considering extra 30% for compliance with safety norms, ​t = 0.6mm

b. Thickness of flat circular base

Putting the values in the equation for calculating thickness of base, we have:

Therefore t = 3.4 cm.

Taking an extra 30%, we have t = 4.42 cm.
Rounding it off, we take our final thickness of base as ​t = 5 cm.
 27

3D SIMULATIONS OF THE STORAGE TANKS

Tank Number 1:​ Whey permeate with MnSO​4 ,​ CaCO​3 and

​ yeast Extract
Please Click on this link to view an interactive model of the storage tank for whey permeate

Front View:
 28

Bottom View:

Top View:
 29

Tank Number 2:​ Lactic Acid Solution Storage

Please click on this link to view an interactive model of the final storage tank for lactic acid solution

Front View: Bottom View:

Top View:
 30

RESULTS

Sr Tank No. Chemical stored Capacity Dimensions Thickness

No.
1. 1 Whey permeate 744.8 m​3 H = 13.5m Wall 7mm
(Fermentation medium) D = 9m Base 32cm

2. 2 Lactic Acid Solution 20.73 m​3 H = 4.5m Wall 0.6mm

(Final Product) D = 3m Base 5cm

Applications/Software Used
Blender​ for creating 3D Simulations of Storage Tanks

SmartDraw-Engineering ​for the Process Flow Diagram

MathType ​for simplifying the digital writing of the math expressions used

References
Production of L(+) lactic acid using Lactobacillus casei from whey

Separation and purification technologies for lactic acid – A brief review :: BioResources

PubChem- Lactic Acid

(PDF) Industrial production of lactic acid and its applications

Agricultural and Biological Sciences- Whey Permeate

Design Recommendations for storage tanks and their supports with emphasis on seismic designs

MSDS: Lactic Acid

Lactic acid - Wikipedia

(PDF) Biotechnological Approaches for Valorization of Whey