Ethanol - Current Topics

for AST’s

by D.J. “Jerry” Boldra

Consulting Engineer
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 Outline
A. SCC
B. Definitions
C. Coating
D. Response Plans
E. Changing to Ethanol
F. Seals

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 B. Definitions

• Ethanol Grades

• Coatings
 B. Definitions

• Ethanol Grades
1. “drinking” alcohol
2. Fuel Ethanol
3. E10
4. E85
• Coatings
 B. Definitions

• Ethanol Grades
1. “drinking” alcohol
2. Fuel Ethanol
3. E10
4. E85

• Coatings External paint, Internal lining

 C. External Paint

QUESTION:

What External Paint System should

be used on Ethanol tanks ??

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 C. External Paint

• CRUDE -- GASOLINE -- ETHANOL

• COMPARE . . . Same vs. Different ?

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 C. External Paint

VARIABLES ?

- Purpose
- Environment
- Product selection
- Surface preparation & Application
(cleanliness & profile)

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 C. External Paint

VARIABLES ?

- Purpose  Appearance, Anti-corrosion

- Environment  Atmospheric
- Product selection  Environment + Life
(cost)
- Surface preparation & Application
(cleanliness & profile)

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 C. External Paint

SURFACE PREPARATION – CLEANLINESS

- WHITE NACE 1 SSPC SP-5

- NEAR-WHITE NACE 2 SSPC SP-10
- COMMERCIAL NACE 3 SSPC SP-6
- BRUSH-OFF NACE 4 SSPC SP-7

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 C. External Paint

VARIABLES ?

- Purpose  Appearance, Anti-corrosion

- Environment  Atmospheric
- Product selection  Environment + Life
(cost)
- Surface preparation & Application
(cleanliness & profile)

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 C. External Paint

• CRUDE -- GASOLINE -- ETHANOL

• SO FAR  SAME . . .

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 C. External Paint

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ?

1. Black spots around vents

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MOLD ON ETHANOL TANK
MOLD ON ETHANOL TANK
MOLD ON ETHANOL TANK
 C. External Paint

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT ?

1. Black spots around vents
- Mildewcide . . .
- Glossy top coat

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 C. External Paint

• CRUDE -- GASOLINE -- ETHANOL

- Purpose
- Environment
- Product –> Glossy + Mildewcide
- Surface preparation & Application

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 C. Internal Lining

• CRUDE -- GASOLINE -- ETHANOL

• MANY SIMILARITIES

• DIFFERENCES ??

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 C. Internal Lining

VARIABLES ??

- Purpose
- Environment
- Product selection
- Surface preparation & Application
(cleanliness & profile)

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 C. Internal Lining

PURPOSE

CRUDE -- GASOLINE ETHANOL

Anti-Corrosion Anti-SCC
Purity/Color
(Anti-Cors’n)

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 C. Internal Lining

ENVIRONMENT  Immersion Service

CRUDE -- GASOLINE ETHANOL

Product
--------------------- Fuel Ethanol
Water Layer

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 C. Internal Lining

PRODUCT SELECTION

CRUDE -- GASOLINE ETHANOL

- Lining for _________ service

- Thin film

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 C. Internal Lining

SURFACE PREP & APPLICATION - HOW

CRUDE -- GASOLINE ETHANOL

- White or Near-white
- 20-25% of DFT or MFG Recomm

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 C. Internal Lining

SURFACE PREP & APPLICATION - WHERE

CRUDE -- GASOLINE ETHANOL

Bottom + 30” up Shell ??

Major
Decision
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 C. Internal Lining

SURFACE PREP & APPLICATION - WHERE

HIGH STRESS PROB. x CONSQ. RISK
CORNER W. 5 x 4 = 20
SHELL W.(3+) 4 x 3.5 = 14
SHELL W.(1&2) 3.5 x 4 = 14
BOTTOM LAP W. 3 x 5 = 15
FLOAT R. LAP W. 2 x 3 = 6
CONE R. LAP W. 1 x 1 = 1
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 C. Internal Lining

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES

CRUDE -- GASOLINE ETHANOL

SELECT LINING
APPLY WHERE ?

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 D. Facility Response Plans
REVISIONS

• Firefighting foam
• Local fire departments
• Worst case discharge response
• Product group and planning distances
• Response resources under contract
• Minor changes
 D. Facility Response Plans

FIREFIGHTING FOAM

Synthetic Protein
Type of Fuel
Foams Foams
Hydrocarbons AFFF ....
Polar Solvents AR-AFFF ....
 D. Facility Response Plans
REVISIONS

• Firefighting foam
• Local fire departments
• Worst case discharge response
• Product group and planning distances
• Response resources under contract
• Minor changes
 E. Changing to Ethanol Service
CATEGORIES:

1. Overall – “Big Picture” – Administrative

2. The tank

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 E. Changing to Ethanol Service
“Big Picture” CONSIDERATIONS:
• API RP 1626 Storing & Handling Ethanol…
• Operating permits
• Facility Response Plans

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 E. Changing to Ethanol Service
Tank CONSIDERATIONS:

• Internal lining
• Compatibility of seals
• API 653, § 4.2.4 Change of Service
• Venting
• Tank separation distances – NFPA 30

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 E. Changing to Ethanol Service
Tank CONSIDERATIONS:

• Change S.G.
- Maximum fill height
- Strapping tables
- Foundation loading

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 E. Changing to Ethanol Service
CHANGE SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Hexane .65
Gasoline .72
Jet fuel .74 - .85
Ethanol .78
Diesel .82
Crude Oil .82 - .97
Water 1.0
Sulfuric Acid 1.8 38
 E. Changing to Ethanol Service
Tank CONSIDERATIONS:

• API 653 Insp

- General condition
- SCC baseline
• Ethanol – Good solvent & Cleaner
• Phase separation

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E. Changing to Ethanol Service

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E. Changing to Ethanol Service

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 F. Seals for Floating Roofs
PERIMETER FLOATING ROOF SEALS

• Vapor barrier behind metal plates

• Elastomer seal tip for metal plates
• Wedge seals
• Envelop for foam log

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 F. Seals for Floating Roofs
OTHER FLOATING ROOF SEALS

• Roof leg covers

• Gauge pole seal

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 F. Seals for Floating Roofs
DESIRED PROPERTIES:

• Chemical resistance (Guides)

• Abrasion resistance
• Long life
• Easy installation, spicing, replacement
• Disposable

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 F. Seals for Floating Roofs
MATERIALS IN USE:

• PVC-nitrile blends
• Ionomer cross-linked co-polymer
• HD polyethylene
• Teflon & Teflon coated
• Urethane
• Fluroelastomer
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 F. Seals for Floating Roofs
RECOMMENDATIONS:

• “Consumer Reports” not found

• Did find some testing

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 F. Seals for Floating Roofs
Switch to other presentation

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Ethanol - Current Topics for AST’s

THE END

THANK YOU

QUESTIONS ?
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SUPPLEMENTAL
SLIDES
BELOW . . .

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