API STORAGE TANK (DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION & INSPECTION)

Tank is used to store the fluids.

Tanks are classified based on

-Nature of the product to be stored (Atmospheric, Low pressure & Medium

pressure)

-Operating temperature (Ambient & Low temperature)

-Type of construction (Above Ground or Under Ground & Double Wall)

API-(American Petroleum Institute) - API-620

API-650

API-653
API 620-DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE WELDED LOW PRESSURE STORAGE TANK

*This standard provides the requirement for above ground tanks with a single vertical axis of
revolution. This standard applies to the following tanks.

-Tanks with INTERNAL PRESSURE greater than 3.4 kpa (0.5 PSIG) but not greater than 103 kpa
(15PSI)

-Tanks with metal temperature from-168 to + 120 degree centigrade.

API 650- WELDED STELL TANKS FOR OIL STORAGE

*This standard provides the requirement for vertical, cylindrical, above ground, storage tanks.

This standard applies to the following standards.

-Tanks with internal pressure from atmospheric pressure to 17 kpa (2.5 PSIG).

-Tanks that are not refrigerated.

-Tanks with design temperature less than 200 degree F.

-Tanks that store petroleum or other liquid products or water.

-This standard covers material, design, fabrication erection and testing.

API 653- TANK INSPECTION REPAIR ALTERNATION AND RECONSTRUCTION

*This standard covers requirements for INSPECTION, REPAIR, ALTERATION and

RECONSTRUCTION of API 650 Atmospheric storage tanks that have already been placed in
service. This standard includes the following sections

-Suitability for service

-Inspection

-Consideration for re construction

-Tank repair and alternation

-Welding

-Examination and testing

THE BASIC TANK DESIGNS ARE

-OPEN ROOF

-FIXED ROOF (VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL)

-INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF

-EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF

-DOMED EXTERNAL (COVERED) FLOATING ROOF

-MEDIUM PRESSURE

*OPEN ROOF TANKS-

-This type of tank has no roof

-They shall not be used for petroleum products.

They may be used for fire and cooling water.

The product is open to the atmosphere; hence it is an atmospheric tank.

*FIXED ROOF TANK

Used to store products which are not vaporize at ambient temperature? Roof is of cone or
dome shaped. Used when true vapor pressure < 1.5 PSI at tank operating temperature.
EX- Gas oil, lubricating oil.

This is mainly 3 types.

(a) Non-pressure fixed roof tank- used for storage at atmospheric pressure and provided with
open vent.

(b) Low pressure which is approx. 2 KPA internal pressures

(c) High pressure which is approx 5.6 KPA internal pressure used for storage at low and high
internal pressure or vacuum respectively and fitted with pressure/vacuum relief valves.

*INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF:-

Where are roof floats on the product in a fixed roof tank. This type of tank is used when the
service of an existing fixed roof tank is changed and a floating roof tank should be used for the
new service. The tank is prepared for the new service by adding the internal floating roof inside
the existing tank. This type of tank also may be required when a floating roof tank needs a fixed
roof for environmental protection or product quality. In this case a fixed roof is often added to
an existing floating roof.

*EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF:-

In floating roof there is no space for evaporation of liquid. EX-Light products, kerosene and
crude oil.

-Where the roof floats in the product in an open tank and the roof is open to the atmosphere.

-Floating roof tanks must be used to store petroleum products with flash point below 54 degree
C , or if the flash point is less than 8 degree C higher than the storage temperature.

-Floating roof tanks should not be used to store products that end to boil under atmospheric
conditions.

*DOMED EXTERNAL (COVERED) FLOATING ROOF.

-Domed external floating roof tanks have the heavier type of deck used in external floating roof
tanks as well as a fixed roof at the top of the shell like internal floating roof tanks. Domed
external floating roof tanks usually result from retrofitting an external floating roof tank, the
function of the fixed roof is not to act as a vapor barrier, but to block the wind. The type of fixed
roof most commonly used is a self supporting aluminum dome roof, which is of bolted
construction like the internal floating roof tanks, these tanks are freely vented by circulation
vents at the top of the fixed roof. The deck fittings and rim seals however are basically identical
to those on external floating roof tanks.

*MEDIUM PRESSURE TANK:-

-Spherical shaped storage tanks are used to store products with high vapor pressure in very
large capacity, 10 times larger than bullet tanks (Horizontal) which are large cylindrical pressure
1-70 bar

*MOUNTING:-

1.FORM ESTABLISHING TO THE GROUNDS

A. Earth (Compact fill ) foundation –it minimizes the tank settlement.

B.Concrete foundation.

C.Concrete ring wall

D.Concrete slab foundation

2. FORM THAT LAY UNDER THE GROUND

A.Underground lying

B.Wearing ring lying

*TANK HEIGHT

-Height from tank bottom to top kerb angle for cone roof tanks

-Height from tank bottom to top of tank shell for floating roof tanks

Tank height shall not exceed one and half times the dia. Of tank or 20 M whichever is less.

Tank foundation height is more than 300 MM and normally decided by the pump suction head
line.

*CAPACITY

-Capacity of tanks located in one dyked enclosure

-For floating roof tanks 120,000 cu.m

-For fixed roof tanks 60,000 cu.m

-In case of combination of above two consider as fixed roof tank only.
Dyked enclosure should be able to contain the complete contents of the largest tank in tank
farm.

The height of dyke is in between 1 to 2 M above average grade level. However for excluded
petroleum products min height is 600 mm.

Dyke capacity=Maximum tank’s capacity+Each tank’s foundation volume + (5-10 %) extra.

Piping that do not connect with tank within dikes