OVERVIEW OF STORAGE

TANKS & PRESSURE

VESSELS DESIGN
 OUTLINE
• DEFINITIONS OF A STORAGE TANK AND A
PRESSURE VESSEL

• TYPES OF STORAGE TANKS AND PRESSURE

VESSELS

• DESIGN FACTORS

• INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS &

SPECIFICATIONS

• QUESTIONS
 Introduction
• Tanks & vessels are used for storing
liquids & gasses.

• The kind of fluid being stored determines

which type of vessel or tank used.

• Storage tanks are normally used at both

ends of the process system.
 DEFINITIONS
STORAGE TANK :
• A WELDED STEEL CONTAINER FOR STORING
LIQUIDS LIKE WATER, CRUDE OIL,
HYDROCARBON PRODUCTS (GASOLINE,
NAPHTHA, DIESEL, ETC.)

• STORES LIQUIDS WITH VAPOR (GAS)

PRESSURE NOT EXCEEDING 12 PSIG AT
TEMPERATURE (-270 F TO 200 F)
 Tanks Design Outline
Types of Storage Tanks
• Definition & Construction
• Function
• Auxiliary Equipment
• Fire Protection System
• Spacing and Diking
Requirements
 TYPES OF STORAGE
TANKS
ATMOSPHERIC
• STORES LIQUID WITH VAPOR PRESSURE ~
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

• TEMPERATURE OF STORED LIQUID IS

TYPICALLY LESS THAN 200 DEG. F

(EXAMPLES: WATER, STABILIZED CRUDE

OIL, GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, ETC.)
 TYPES OF STORAGE
TANKS
LOW-PRESSURE
• LIQUIDS WITH VAPOR PRESSURE NOT EXCEEDING
12PSIG

• TEMPERATURE OF STORED LIQUID - 270 DEG. F TO

250 DEG. F

EXAMPLES: LIGHT NAPHTHA, REFRIGERATED LIQUIDS

(PROPANE), LIQUEFIED HYDROCARBON
GASES(ETHANE), ETC.
TYPES OF ATMOSPHERIC
STORAGE TANKS

• FLOATING ROOF (OPEN TOP)

• FIXED ROOF
• FIXED ROOF (WITH INTERNAL
FLOATER)
 Types of Storage Tanks

1. Cone Roof Storage Tank.

2. Floating Roof Storage Tank.

1. Dome Roof Storage Tank.

TYPES OF STORAGE TANKS
ATMOSPHERIC
• STORES LIQUID WITH VAPOR PRESSURE ~
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

• TEMPERATURE OF STORED LIQUID IS

TYPICALLY LESS THAN 200 DEG. F

(EXAMPLES: WATER, STABILIZED CRUDE

OIL, GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, ETC.)
TYPES OF ATMOSPHERIC
STORAGE TANKS

• FLOATING ROOF (OPEN TOP)

• FIXED ROOF
• FIXED ROOF (WITH INTERNAL
FLOATER)
Floating Roof Storage Tank
• There are three main types of floating
roof tanks:
I. Pan Roof.
II. Pontoon Roof.
III. Double Deck Roof.
 PONTOON TYPE RIM VENT
VAPOR SEAL
ROOF SUPPORT
SPACE GAGE HATCH PONTOON MANHOLE
AUTOMATIC
BLEEDER VENT DECK
MANHOLE

PIPE DRAIN

DOUBLE DECK TYPE

SEAL AUTOMATIC BLEEDER VENT
VAPOR GAGE HATCH ROOF SUPPORT RIM VENT
SPACE
EMERGENCY
DRAIN
MANHOLE

PIPE DRAIN
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Function:
– Floating roof tanks are used to store
hydrocarbon liquids with a relatively
low volatility.
– Before low flash product is placed in a
floating roof storage tank all easily
separated gases must be removed.
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Definition & Construction:
– Floating roof tanks are generally used
for volatile liquids.
– The floating roof rests on the top of
the stored liquid.
– The shell of a floating roof tank is a
large, open metal cylinder.
– The tank seal has a steel-sealing ring
which is known as a Metallic Shoe.
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
I. Pan Roof Storage Tank:
– The pan roof was the first type of
floating roof tank used in Saudi
Aramco.
– There are several disadvantages of the
pan roof tank.
• It does not provide insulation.
• Any leak can cause the roof to
sink.
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
II. Pontoon Roof Storage Tank:
– The outer edge of the pontoon
roof is a float, called pontoon.

– The underside of the roof also

provides some air space
insulation for part of the liquid
surface under the roof.
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
III. Double Deck Roof Storage Tank:
– It is the most efficient type of floating
roof.

– The sloping top forms a collecting point

for rainwater in the center of the roof.
Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Auxiliary Equipment:
– Drains.
– Mixers.
– Level Measuring and Sampling
Station.
– Wind Girder.
– Shunts.
Floating Roof Storage Tank
Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Roof Drains:
– It is important to prevent water from
collecting on a floating roof.
– Saudi Aramco uses hinged pipes
for draining water from the roof.
– Tank Drains.
Floating Roof Storage Tank
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Mixers:
– Tanks which store-refined products usually
have mixers. The tank mixers prevent
separation of liquid products during storage.

• Level Measuring:
• Sub radar.
• A hand reel tape is normally used for level
measurement in floating roof tank.
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Wind Girder:
– Floating roof tanks shall be provided
with stiffening rings to maintain
roundness when the tank is subjected to
wind loads.

• Shunts:
– Used to prevent lightning strikes.
 Floating Roof Storage Tank
• Fire Protection System:
– For tanks:
• 100 ft in diameter and less, foam dam is
installed around the whole perimeter of
the tank.
• Between 100-200 ft, foam delivery pipe
is required.
• 200 ft in diameter and larger, complete
fixed foam systems is provided.
Floating Roof Storage Tank
CONE ROOF ATMOSPHERIC TANK
A

CROSS SECTION A-A

A