No.

: L-ENG3003
Title: Tank Bottoms
TANK ENGINEERING STANDARDS Created: 10/25/2016

Table of Contents

1 Applicability ............................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Definitions ............................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
4 Core Information and Requirements ....................................................................................................... 2
4.1 General Bottom Requirements ...................................................................................................... 2
4.2 Single Bottom ................................................................................................................................ 2
4.3 Retrofit El Segundo Double Bottom .............................................................................................. 3
4.4 Sumps ........................................................................................................................................... 4
4.5 Welding.......................................................................................................................................... 4
5 Training ................................................................................................................................................... 5
6 References .............................................................................................................................................. 5

1 Applicability
This procedure applies to all facilities owned and/or operated by Kinder Morgan Products Pipeline.

2 Definitions
Bottom extension
Also known as “chine,” “chime,” or “bottom projection.” This is the part of the bottom plate that
extends under the shell plate and projects out at the bottom of the tank.
Shovel bottom
A drain dry bottom design that slopes to one side and has an underground fill that penetrates the
side of a large sump at the low spot in the tank.
Mouse hole
A hole provided at the bottom of pipe columns, legs, gauge poles, or other interior appurtenances for
the purposes of draining. The holes are typically arched at the top and form a shape of a proverbial
“mouse hole.” The holes should be sufficiently large to drain liquids and any accumulated sludge and
be capable of being washed out during routine cleanings.
SAW
Submerged Arc Welding. SAW is an automatic welding process where the electrode is submerged in
granular flux. SAW allows for high metal deposition rates and repeatable high quality welds in certain
applications.
GMAW
Gas Metal Arc Welding. GMAW uses a continuous feed electrode and a shielding gas to protect the
molten weld. GMAW requires less cleaning than other weld processes due to the lack of slag
formation from the process.
FCAW
Flux Cored Arc Welding. FCAW is similar to GMAW, but with the addition of flux in the continuous
electrode feed. FCAW may or may not include additional shielding gas.
SMAW
Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Commonly referred to as “stick” welding and the most common welding
process on tanks. The electrode consists of a metal core coated with a covering that protects and
enhances the weld depending on the electrode designation. This electrode is held with a clamp and
welds are made by hand.

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 No.: L-ENG3003
Title: Tank Bottoms
TANK ENGINEERING STANDARDS Created: 10/25/2016

3 Scope
This specification covers the design, material, fabrication, and erection of all new field-erected
welded steel petroleum products storage tank bottoms. This standard should also be applied to new
bottoms installed in existing storage tanks.

4 Core Information and Requirements

4.1 General Bottom Requirements

4.1.1 Bottoms shall be designed per API-650.

4.1.2 Tank bottoms should slope to the center, off center, or be of a shovel bottom design.

4.1.2.1 Bottoms sloping to the side shall be conical and have a minimum crown of six
inches.

4.1.2.2 Bottoms shall have a minimum slope of 2%.

4.1.3 The bottom extension shall extend a minimum of 3” outside of the tank shell.

4.1.4 The bottom extension shall be sealed to the ringwall (if present) or a drip ring shall be
provided per API-650 requirements to prevent the infiltration of water underneath the bottom
and protect the bottom extension from corrosion.

4.1.5 Protective plates 0.25-inch thick shall be installed under roof legs, gauging points, or any
other appurtenances that are attached to or could strike the bottom. These pads and any
other plates resting directly on the tank bottom shall be completely seal-welded to the bottom
and be round or rectangular with 4” minimum radius corners. Weld spacing requirements for
repair plates from API-653 should be considered when placing protective plates.

4.1.6 Any appurtenances with a contained cross section that are attached to or could strike the
bottom shall have a mouse hole with a minimum opening of 1” to allow the appurtenance to
drain.

4.1.7 A square bearing plate minimum 3/8-inch thick with 4” radius corners shall be provided
beneath each column and shall be fillet welded to the bottom. The edge dimension of the
plate shall be a least twice the major cross-sectional dimension of the column and shall be
large enough to accommodate the column base where one is used. Roof support columns
shall be firmly guided by clips attached to the bearing plate.

4.1.8 Tank bottoms, as required, shall be designed and installed with cathodic protection corrosion
control and monitoring systems in accordance with the Kinder Morgan Corrosion Manual,
and API RP 651. The local corrosion Specialist shall review and approve all cathodic
protection design and installation details.

4.1.9 Tank bottoms should have an annular ring considered for all tanks over 40’ in diameter.

4.2 Single Bottom

4.2.1 Bottoms designed for a new tank shall be of a single bottom design, unless another design is
required by local jurisdictional requirements.

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 No.: L-ENG3003
Title: Tank Bottoms
TANK ENGINEERING STANDARDS Created: 10/25/2016

4.2.2 The new bottom plates shall lay flat over the foundation surface and shall have virtually no
voids or unsupported areas.

4.2.3 If an annular ring is not provided, consideration should be given to providing 0.313” or thicker
sketch plates.

4.3 Retrofit El Segundo Double Bottom

4.3.1 A retrofit double bottom shall consist of a new steel floor installed above an existing steel
floor.

4.3.2 A slot should be cut in the lower 3-inch section of the tank shell for insertion of the new tank
bottom plates. The slot shall be cut uniform and parallel between at a minimum of 3-inches
above the existing tank bottom. NO FREE HAND CUTTING ALLOWED. The length of each
slot shall not exceed 8-1/2 feet. There shall be a minimum of 3-inches of un-slotted shell
between each slot to maintain shell support during construction. The un-slotted sections
shall be square cut sequentially as the new bottom-to-shell weld comes within four feet of the
un-slotted shell. The cut edges in the slot shall be ground to remove all slag and burs from
the cutting operation.

4.3.3 U-shaped support clamps should be welded over the slots to keep the shell in line. There
shall be a minimum of two (2) clamps per slot. Clamps shall be fabricated of steel plate equal
to or greater than 3/4 of the shell plate thickness, but no less than 3/4 inches thick. Maximum
spacing of the clamps on the perimeter is 4 feet 10 inches.

4.3.4 A High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liner shall be installed over the existing tank bottom
prior to pouring the concrete spacer layer. The liner shall be attached to the shell wall
between the existing and new bottom plates.

4.3.5 The base of each roof leg, support columns, gauge poles, etc. shall be wrapped to prevent
concrete adhesion. After the main concrete pour, the resulting holes shall be grouted.

4.3.6 Fiber reinforced concrete material shall be placed over the existing tank bottom, up to the
bottom edge of the cut slot in the lower section of the tank shell. The minimum thickness of
the concrete shall be 3”. The slope configuration in the concrete should be maintained the
same as the existing tank bottom.

4.3.7 The concrete shall be reinforced with 100% new collated, fibrillated polypropylene fibers
containing no reprocessed olefin materials meeting the following specifications:
Specific Gravity: 0.9
Modulus of Elasticity: 0.5x10^6 to 0.7x10^6 psi
Tensile Strength: 70 to 110 ksi
Length: 0.25 to 2.50 inches

4.3.8 Fiber shall be homogeneously mixed into each batch of concrete furnished. The fiber shall
be added to and mixed into the concrete at the batch plant to assure uniform and complete
dispersion of the collated-fibrillated fiber bundles into single monofilaments within the
concrete.

4.3.9 The maximum aggregate size shall be 3/4 inch. The concrete shall have a minimum
compressive strength of 3,000 psi at 28 days.

4.3.10 The methods of measuring concrete materials shall be such that the proportions can be
accurately controlled within 1% and easily checked at any time during the work.
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 No.: L-ENG3003
Title: Tank Bottoms
TANK ENGINEERING STANDARDS Created: 10/25/2016

4.3.11 Concrete shall be compacted by mechanical vibration. The concrete shall not be vibrated to
such an extent that segregation takes place.

4.3.12 No construction joints are permitted. The entire concrete spacer layer shall be one
continuous pour with previously noted exceptions (e.g.; columns, sumps, roof legs, etc.).

4.3.13 Leak detection channels shall be provided in the new concrete foundation. The channels
shall be sloped towards the outer perimeter of the tank. Leak detection fittings with caps
shall be provided at the exit point between the new and existing tank bottom.

4.3.14 A new bottom shall be constructed on top of the concrete with the same requirements as a
single bottom design in 4.3 of this standard.

4.4 Sumps

4.4.1 Sumps shall be fabricated from plate having a minimum thickness of 3/8-inch.

4.4.2 Sumps should be shop fabricated and welds shall be shop tested for defects before sending
for installation. Welds shall be tested again for leaks after final installation but before coating
is applied.

4.4.3 Sump placement should be located below a gauging point if practical to allow for sampling of
the sump contents.

4.4.4 Sump placement should also take into consideration weld spacing and avoid plate
intersections as advised in API-653. Sumps shall not be placed such that they require the
trimming of annular plates to install.

4.4.5 For cone up bottoms greater than 50’ diameter, multiple sumps should be considered. For
tanks between 50’ and 100’, diameter two sumps are recommended, and for tanks greater
than 100’, at least three sumps are recommended.

4.4.6 All sumps shall have a method of removing any accumulated water from the tank provided to
the exterior shell. Tanks designed exclusively for ethanol do not require any valve connected
to the water draw piping.

4.5 Welding

4.5.1 Bottom welds shall be fillet welds completed in a single pass.

4.5.2 Bottom welding shall be by SAW, GMAW, FCAW, or SMAW processes.

4.5.3 Finished bottom welds shall intersect with the plates smoothly to prevent coating or cracking.
Any sharp corners at welds shall be ground smooth.

4.5.4 Annular plate welds shall be full penetration with or without backing bar. SMAW annular
plate welds shall be completed with low hydrogen rods.

4.5.5 If multiple passes are required to complete annular butt welds, the root pass shall be
magnetic particle tested prior to completing subsequent passes.

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 No.: L-ENG3003
Title: Tank Bottoms
TANK ENGINEERING STANDARDS Created: 10/25/2016

4.5.6 Radiographic examination shall be performed on 50% of annular plate butt welds.
This requirement may be fulfilled by welding sets of two annular plates together and
completing radiographs on each set prior to installation. Completing the installation
of the two plate sections should not require any radiographs of the installed annular
plates.
5 Training
Not Applicable

6 References
API-650
API-653
Kinder Morgan Corrosion Manual
API RP 651

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