Guides for Storage Tanks Nozzles

Orientation
Amir Razmi
Amir Razmi
Process Engineer | Project Engineer | Aveva Piping Designer
Published Mar 26, 2017
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Storage tanks are used in several phases of the process plants: to store feed, holding
partially processed products or to collect finished products. Good arrangement of the
storage tanks can save in land and cost of plant. While, by consideration a good
nozzle orientation and good piping for these tanks operation problems will be
reduced.

Number of tank nozzles is depending to considered operation. One of the main

problems in layout and piping design of tanks is nozzle orientation. Nozzle orientation
and platforms shall be considered together as a same activity. Generally, it is
recommended to collect body nozzles in one side of the tank and roof tanks in same
direction along of roof platform (Fig 1). By this design, these nozzles and the valves,
are connected to each nozzle normally, is more accessible and lesser platforms is
required so design is more economic. This is a general rule but there are some
exceptions, that manhole is one of them. It is better to locate manhole in different
direction with other nozzles, for easier entrance and exit. Good nozzle orientation
design needs to knowledge about nozzle performance which is reviewed by main
concepts that may be helped to better nozzle orientatiion design, in following.
Fig 1- Sample of Nozzle Orientation

1- Manhole
Provide manholes to access and maintain the system and in accordance with the
requirements set forth in the contract specifications. When separate major groups of
storage tanks, process blocks, and loading facilities are involved, sealed and vented
manholes will be required at strategic points to sectionalize the system. Two types of
tank-shell maintenance access opening are used: the standard round opening. The
larger, oval-shaped, flat-bottom opening is more commonly used on large tanks or
those that use internal heaters. Keep the area immediately around access openings free
of such obstruction as large pipe supports, piping, and light poles. Locate manholes
close to dike access way, and far from pipe way, and also accessible from ground then
operators can enter and exists easily.

2- Input/output nozzles
The main process nozzles of a tank are input/output nozzles. The main point, where
there is no other process requirement, is minimization of pipe length (and so pressure
drop). For example, sometimes it is required to locate these nozzles in different sides
of tank to mix fluid inside of the tank. Nozzle elevation also affect orientation; by
locating elevated input nozzle and output nozzle in the same orientation vapor, which
is soluted during falling of liquid, will make gas traps in piping or cavitations in
pumps. In Fig 1, A1 stands for inlet and B1 for the outlet nozzle.

In Fig 1, A3 is recycling or circulation nozzle used for circulating of fluid via outlet
nozzle and pump then entered to the tank through this nozzle, when the risk of
freezing, chocking or sedimentation of tank fluid is exists. Consideration for
orientation of this nozzle is same as the inlet nozzle.

3- Draw off Nozzle

Storage tanks in hydrocarbon services are normally provided with an API low type
shell nozzle a drain valve at the bottom of the tank to permit periodic draw off of
water which normally collects in the product. The water draw off valve should be
positioned over an open concrete box with an outlet discharging into the gravity oily
water collection system. For this nozzle, consideration of OSW lines is mandatory, to
use less sump and pits in this system. In group of tanks which are in one row, this
nozzle can be located in same side. In Fig 1, D1 is a draw off nozzle.

4- Sampling Nozzles
A manual gauging-sampling well may be used where the stored product, is specified
as a static accumulator. Gauge well shall be burr-free. If a manhole or a separate roof
connection is used for gauging-sampling purposes it shall be located near a roof
support. All sampling valves shall be accessible and since valves to be installed as
close as possible to nozzles, so all nozzles shall be accessible. Normally, samples can
be taken two liters per at 3 points at upper, middle and lower levels daily. So, sample
points are normally located at grade, top platform or along the stair landings. In Fig 1,
S1 and S2 are sampling nozzles to be accessible.

5- Level Nozzles
Minimum, one internal floats level gauging instrument per tank, readable from grade
consider. Other level gauges shall be readable and all their connection shall be
maintainable, so nozzles to be located along of stair.

6- Temperature
Connections for temperature indication shall be furnished for a flanged or threaded
thermo-well installation accessible for removal of the well and required space shall be
considered in front of it. (Nozzle T1 in Fig 1)
7- Breathing and Safety Valves nozzles
Each tank, has minimum one safety valve and one breathing valves, which are very
important for tank safety during its life, installed on top of roof shall be accessible
from a platform. Also valves of inert gas line which is connected to tank for pressure
balance when considered. In Fig 1, SV1 and BV1 are located close to platforms.

9- Tank Mixers and heaters

When on a tank, a mixer or a tube bundle heater is installed via a nozzle, orientation
of it shall provide adequate area for removal and easy movement to the outside of
dike.

10- Fire Fighting Nozzles

Do not forget that fire water never injected directly inside the tank, so the only
nozzles, are related to foam system, if existing. The most important point that shall be
considered during design of nozzle orientation for these systems is number of nozzles
and also this fact that nozzles shall be in the symmetrical arrangement to provide a
uniform coverage of foams.

Implementation of above points in the design, will reduce number of structural

attachment to tank and also capital costs of the plant as well as operation problems
and increase personel safety.

This article is a part of the book "Storage tank farm layout and piping". To access the
full content of this book follow below link: