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The Van Houten library has removed some of the

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ABSTRACT
A review of the American Petroleum Institute
Standard 650 and Appendixes points out the advantages of
using high strength steel and the variable point design
method (Appendix K) to obtain reasonably uniform shell
stresses.

Design limitations imposed by notch toughness

and residual stresses are pointed out.

Design considerations for the installation of an
internal floating roof in a standard cone roof tank are
discussed.

Methods of calculating evaporation losses

and an economic justification for a floating roof are

included.

Budget estimate figures have been compiled as

a function of tank capacity for tanks, site preparation

and tank ringwall or piled mat foundations.
Installation of a storage tank is subject to
government approval by the State of New Jersey Department
of Labor and Industry and Environmental Protection.

review of title 12:133 of the New Jersey Administrative

Code (NJAC) "Flammable and Combustible Liquids" as it
applies to tank construction was made.

The requirements

of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) follow

(NJAC) specifications.

ABOVEGROUND FUEL OIL STORAGE TANKS

BY

LAWRENCE GEORGE PALMER

A THESIS

PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
AT

NEWARK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

This thesis is to be used only with due

regard to the rights of the author.
Bibliographical references may be noted,
but passages must not be copied without
permission of the College and without
credit being given in subsequent written
or published work.
Newark, New Jersey
1973

APPROVAL OF THESIS
ABOVEGROUND FUEL OIL STORAGE TANKS
BY
LAWRENCE GEORGE PALMER
FOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
NEWARK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

BY

FACULTY COMMITTEE

APPROVED:

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

JUNE, 1973

ROBERT W. VAN HOUTEN LIBRARY

NEWARK COLLEGE OF. ENGINEERING

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables

ii
iii

iv

Introduction

American Petroleum Institute

Tank
High
Tank
Tank

Shell
Strength Steels
Bottom
Roof

Floating Roof
Appendix H, API-650
Roof Sinkings
Evaporation Losses
Tank Costs

4
11

16
19

21
22
24
25
29

Storage Tank
Site Preparation
Foundations
Floating Roof

29

Government Regulation

35

Department of Labor and Industry

OSHA
Department of Environmental Protection

30
30

31

35
40

41

Conclusion

43

References

45

Bibliography

49

iii

LIST OF FIGURES
1.

Cone Roof Tank Showing Internal Floating Roof.

2.

Elastic Movement of Shell Courses at Girth Joint.

3.

Actual Stresses by Analysis in 220 Foot Diameter Tanks.

4.

Photograph of Cone Roof Supports.

5.

Floating Roof Supports.

6.

Ten Inch Diameter Automatic Bleeder Vent.

7.

Photograph of 80,000 Barrel Tank.

8.

Photograph of Fuel Oil Inlet Diffuser Inplace

Between Floating Roof and Tank Bottom.

9.

Nomograph for Calculating Breathing Losses From a

Fixed Roof Tank.

10.

Nomograph for Calculating Working Losses From a

Fixed Roof Tank.

11.

Nomograph for Conversion of Reid Vapor Pressure to

Absolute Vapor Pressure.

12.

Tank Cost Index.

13.

Cost of Erected Fuel oil Tank With Internal

Floating Roof.

14.

Cost of Site Preparation.

15.

Cost of Ringwall Foundation.

16.

Cost of Piled Mat Foundation.

17.

Cost of Internal Floating Roof.

iv

LIST OF TABLES
1.

Minimum Distance In Feet From Property Line Or

Nearest Important Building.

2.

Properties Of Fuel Oils And Their Hazard

Identification.

INTRODUCTION
The explosion of the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
Tank in Staten Island has increased public concern over
the construction of all new storage facilities for
hazardous materials.

The LNG tank failure points out

the need for greater understanding of the parameters

and hazards involved in the installation and operation
of storage tanks.
Aboveground atmospheric fuel oil storage tanks
are very different from LNG tanks.

The clamor over

installation of new tanks ignores the overall safe

performance of the past and also ignores the standards
developed by industry and government to improve
performance in the future.

The public outcry is due to

the explosion of a totally different type of tank; one

that did not explode during operation but rather while
repairs were being made.
Greater understanding must be developed by all
parties concerned:

the government at all levels, the

general public and the owner.

Construction of new tanks

will require in depth studies by the owner to insure

total compliance with industry and government standards.

The purpose of this report is to present information

on various aspects of tank construction to aid the
engineer responsible for the installation of aboveground fuel oil storage tanks.

The report discusses

the following:
1.

Standards recommended by the American

Petroleum Institute.
2.

Design considerations for internal

floating roofs and justification for their use.

3.

Cost analysis on a floating roof and

budget estimate data for tank installation.

4.

Government regulation of storage tank

construction.
Public concern over construction of aboveground
storage tanks is not new.

Prior to World War I many

storage tanks were built with wooden roofs and were

ver.y susceptible to lightning strikes.

Numerous tank

fires prompted industry to act.

At the twenty-eighth annual meeting of the National
Fire Protection Association held in 1924 the committees
on Flammable Liquids and Laws and Ordinances authorized
a conference to establish reasonable standards for the

storage of flammable and combustible liquids.

The

conference investigated the records of Oil Tank Fires

from 1915-1925 and developed many recommendations which
promulgated the codes and specifications for the
construction and operation of fuel oil storage tanks
used today.l

AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE

STANDARD

650

The most prominent specification for fuel oil

storage tanks has been developed by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).

The American Petroleum

Institute Standard 650, "Welded Steel Tanks for Oil

Storage", and several appendixes, cover the material,
design, fabrication, erection and inspection requirements for aboveground storage tanks with operating
internal pressures approximating atmospheric pressure.
Large oil storage tanks take the form of a vertical
cylindrical shell with either a fixed roof or a floating
roof or both.

Floating roofs are installed to limit

fuel evaporation associated with cone roof tanks and

will be discussed later.
Tank Shell
The shell is constructed of a number of courses
(usually eight feet in height each) of steel sheets.
The thickness of the shell plates varies from a maximum
at the base of

l~-inch

to a minimum thickness at the

top of the tank of 3/l6-inch.

The design, by thin wall theory, of a cylindrical

shell under hydrostatic loading would produce a uniform
circumferential stress if the thickness of the shell
were tapered uniformly from top to bottom, and if the
shell were free to expand elastically without restraint.
In a storage tank, however, two factors affect the
pattern of the circumferential stresses, the construction
of the shell using a different thickness in each shell
course, and the restraint of the tank bottom against
the elastic expansion of the lower shell.
At each circumferen'tial girth a difference in
plate thickness results because the thickness is
governed by the pressure near the bottom of the course.
The greater thickness of the lower course reduces the
stress at the bottom of the upper course.

The maximum

stress in the upper course thus occurs at a variable

distance above the girth joint which is a function of
the two thicknesses of the plates at the girth and the
radius of the tank.

API-6S0 shell design.

The basic API-6S0 design

considers the empirical design point of maximum stress

to be one foot above the lower edge of each shell
course when the tank is filled with water.

The basic equation used by the API-650 for the

he
11 th'lC k ness ~S:
. 3
'
compu t a t lon
af s
t

2.6D

(H-I)G
SE

(I)

Where:
t

calculated minimum thickness,

in.
H = height from bottom of course
under consideration to top
of roof curb angle, ft.
G = design specific gravity of
liquid
D = tank diameter, ft.
E = longitudinal joint efficiency
factor basic tank E=O.85 for
Appendixes D and G E=l.O
S = design stress, Ibs/in.
C = corrosion allowance
Appendixes D and G shell design.

Appendixes D and

G are two alternatives to the basic API-650 procedure

for calculating shell thickness.

The alternatives

incorporate higher design stresses and allow for the

control of shell thickness based on either hydrostatic
loading or the specific gravity of the stored product.
Usually the hydrostatic loading will govern the plate
thickness, except when the specific gravity of the
liquid stored exceeds 0.9. 4
The minimum tensile and yield strengths of the

shell plate material and the design stresses used to

determine plate thickness are summarized below:
Specification

Min.. Tensile
Strength in
psi

API-650
API-D
API-G

55,000
58,000
70,000

Min. Yield
Strength in
psi

Appendix K shell design.

30,000
32,000
50,000

Design Stress
in psi

17,850
23,000
28,000 1st course
30,000 upper course

The introduction of

higher design stresses and stronger materials and their

application to very large storage tanks led to renewed
investigation of actual stresses in the tank shells.
The following discussion on shell thickness has been
abstracted from papers by L. P. Zick and R. V. McGrath
and the API Specification, Appendix K.

It was found

that locating the design point one foot above the

girth joint results in a thickness and an actual stress
reasonably close to the stress used to calculate the
thickness.

However, in larger tanks the actual stress

exceeds the assumed design stress.

Although stress

depends on depth and relative thickness tests show that

the maximum stress in large tanks usually occurs near
the top of the bottom course, or at the lower part
of the second course.

Zick and McGrath proposed an alternative, adopted

by the API as Appendix K, which used the variable design
point for each shell course to calculate shell thickness.
This results in actual circumferential shell stresses
closer to the design stress and may be applied to the
basic API-6S0 and Appendixes D and G. 7
Applying Appendix K for the calculation of shell
thicknesses requires that each course be calculated
individually.

The equation for determining the bottom

course thickness, using symbols of Equation 1, isS

(O.463D) ~G ]

tl

1.06 [

(2.6HDG)

-SE

(2)

SE

To determine the thickness of the second course

evaluate the following ratio for the bottom course:

(3)

Where:
hi

height of bottom shell,

in inches
r = nominal radius of tank,
in inches

Then:
t2

, if the ratio value is

1.375;

Or:
t2

Or;

t a, if the ratio value is

2
the ratio value is ~ 1.375 but
t2

t a + (t -t 2 a)
2
1

[ 2.1 -

2.625;

2.625,

hi
1.25 (rt ) ~ _
l

(4 )

Where:
t2

= minimum thickness of second shell

course, in inches
t a = thickness of second course, in
2
inches, as calculated for an
upper shell course
The theoretical thickness of an upper shell course

is a function of the two thicknesses at the girth joint

at the lower edge of the shell course.

The elastic

expansion and rotation at the girth joint must result in

common values since the two plate edges are connected
at

. . t 9
th e ]ol.n
For designs where the thickness of each course is

determined by a common stress, the theoretical location

of the design point is at a variable distance above the
bottom of the course.

The variable distance is the

minimum distance obtained from the following three

.

express~ons:

10

10

Xl = 0.61 Crt u )

~
2

+ 0.32 (Ch u )

X = Ch
2
u
X3 = 1.22 Crt u )

~
2

Where:
t

thickness of upper course at

joint, in inches

= thickness of lower course at

joint, in inches
(K)

(K-I)

I + K (K)

k:
2

tL

tu
Height from bottom of course
under consideration to the
top angle or to the bottom
of the overflow on floating
roof tanks, in inches

Figure 2 illustrates the location of the Xl' X and

2
X3 distances from the girth seam.
The preceding calculations for the design point
require an estimated thickness for the upper course.

The

thickness obtained by the usual one foot design method of

the basic API-650 can be used as the first approximation.

ll

11

The minimum thickness for the upper shell course

shall be computed with equation 6.
X
2.6D (H - --) G
12
t

(6)

SE

Use the first calculated value of t

to repeat the steps

until there is little difference between calculated values

of t

~n

.
12
succeSS10n.

Figure 3 shows the circumferential stresses in a

220-foot diameter tank with 56-foot shell height
designed to the basic API-6S0, Appendix D and Appendix G
using Appendix K variable design point.

Standard API

design stresses are shown in dashed lines for comparison.

Note the basic design with a single design stress results
in highly stressed lower shell courses.

The API

Appendix G design method using a lower stress for the

bottom course results in a more uniform stress pattern.
The variable Design Point Method, Appendix K, produces
a reasonably uniform maximum stress which is close to
the stress used to determine the plate thickness.
High Strength Steels
The alternate design appendixes resulted from a
need to utilize new and improved steels, welding procedures and inspection techniques to extend the limits

12

of tank capacities beyond the 268,000 barrel tanks 13

provided for by the API-650 standard design.

The design

uses low and intermediate tensile strength carbon steel

throughout and provides for required strength levels to
meet increased pressures by varying the thickness of the
steel from top to bottom.
All tanks are limited to a maximum steel plate
thickness of

l~

inches because although design criteria

is based principally on yield and tensile strength other

factors effect the serviceability of the steel.

Tensile

strength is not the breaking strength of a shell plate in

service; i t is the breaking strength of a lab sample.
Structures have failed at 50% of yield strength and 25%
of tensile strength because of poor notch toughness, stress
intensification, poor homogenity and improper welding
.

t ec h nlques.

14

Notch toughness.

The use of high stresses in tank

design demand a closer control of notch toughness, i.e.,

the ability of a steel to resist brittle fracture.

Notch

toughness decreases with an increase in plate thickness

and a decrease in temperature.

The steels approved by

Appendix D for use at higher stress levels have

statistically demonstrated that they have adequate

13

toughness for the thickness and temperature ranges

specified. IS

Appendix D does not require additional

tests to demonstrate suitability.

Appendix G, on the

other hand, requires additional testing if steels are used

below their stated temperatures.

l6

The test usually performed to determine notch

toughness is the Charpy V Notch Test.

This is a dynamic

impact test in which a machined, notched specimen is struck

and broken by a single blow.

The energy, expressed in

foot pounds, required to break the specimen is a measure

of toughness at a particular test specimen temperature.
The test has several limitations because it is
unable to take the following into account:

thickness,

effects of welding including embrittlement and residual

'
17
stress,an d rate 0 f 1 oa d 1ng.

Ch arpy t es t 'lng h as

become synonymous with notch toughness, although the

criterion for toughness is frequently an arbitrarily
selected minimum value of energy absorbed.

18

Other tests

that may gain greater acceptance for evaluating plate

toughness are the Wells Wide Plate (WWP) test and the
Crack Opening Displacement (COD) test.

14

The WWP test is a prenotched slow strained wide

plate tensile test.

The advantages of this test are

that variations in the strength of weld and the effect

of a large specimen, 4-ft x 4-ft, permit the full effects
of residual stresses to develop.
The COD test is a fully instrumented notch bend
test which is being used extensively in Europe to supplement WWP test data and to investigate weld metal.
Poor notch toughness alone will not cause a brittle
failure.

Usually a combination of poor toughness and

stress intensifiers results in the initiation of a

crack.

Stress intensifiers are local areas of high

stress concentration resulting from design discontinuities,

misalignment, nozzles and weld defects.
Residual stress.

Residual stresses are those present

in the tank plates when no external forces are applied.

The most significant cause of residual stresses is the
steep temperature gradient introduced by welding.
Residual stresses may be relieved by preheating
or postheating the weldment.

Preheating the plates

adjacent to the weld increases the area of plate heated

and slows weld cooling.

Preheating is not usually

15

necessary for shell girth seams if automatic welding

"
mac h ~nes
are use d . 19

Postheating, usually used to

normalize steel plate, involves heating the weldment to

over lIOOoF., holding this temperature for several hours
and then allowing the weldment to cool.

The rate of

heating should not exceed 400F. per hour per inch of

plate thickness.

20

Use of high strength steel for large

tanks has increased the requirements for stress relieving

to insure against brittle failures.
The high circumferential stresses caused by service
loading were illustrated in Figure 3.

High residual

stress can have a disasterous effect when added to

these high circumferential stresses.

Appendix D and G

require steel plates for low temperature service

to be

normalized, and shell connections to be shop welded and

thermally stress relieved to minimize the probability of
a brittle fracture.

Shell connections and nozzle

openings require special design if they are over 12

inches in diameter and welded to shell plate exceeding
1 inch in thickness.

21

Nozzle openings.

The traditional design of shell

connections involves the use of compensating plates

sized to replace the shell plate.

Use of compensating

16

plates, or reinforcement, on large tanks interferes with

the elastic behavior of the shell and introduces severe
bending stresses at the toe of the fillet welded
connections between the compensating plate and shell.

22

Appendix D outlines alternative designs for connections

to limit bending stresses.

Openings near the bottom of

the tank shell tend to rotate with vertical bending of the

shell under service loads.

23

Special precautions in the

design of pipework should be taken to allow for the loads

imposed by the restraint of the attached piping to the
shell rotation.
Tank Bottom
The tank bottom is made up by lap welding 1/4-inch,
minimum thickness, rectangular plates and sketch plates
(bottom plates upon which the shell rests).

The bottom

acts as an elastic membrane to restrain the shell at the

bottom-to-shell connection and tends to prevent radial
growth of the shell due to service loads.

24

This

restraint results in a large bending stress at the toe of

the fillet welds where they join the sketch plates.
During filling and emptying there is considerable
flexure of the sketch plates which results in a high
cyclic stress which may approach yield strength.

A high

17

quality connection is therefore necessary if a

reasonable tank life is to be achieved.

25

The tank

bottom is often contaminated with bottom sludge and water

which may have deleterious effect upon fatigue life.
Bottom sludge and water.

BSW found in fuel oils

varies greatly in amount and composition.

The greatest

amount of BSW is found suspended in residual fuels

(No.6) because of the density and high viscosity of the
fuel.

The composition of BSW found at the bottom of a

tank includes resins, free carbon, water, hydrogen sulfide,

tank scale and rust.

This environment not only

contributes to fatigue but also may introduce stress

corrosion cracking if the residual stresses in the
bottom-to-shell connections are high.

26

Sumps should

be provided to allow for water drawoff and the shell-bottom

connection can be painted with a Tar Epoxy paint to help
limit the effects of BSW.
Settlement.

The weight of the tank shell, plus the

weight of the fixed roof is distributed to the supporting

grade through the bottom plate.

When the tank is filled

with liquid, the bottom-to-shell connection rotates and

increases the bearing pressure on the bottom.

If the

subbase is not able to support this loading, settlement

18

will occur causing considerable movement and readjustment

of the shape.

The stresses created by the readjustment

have caused tank failures.

Ringwalls or piled mat

foundations should be provided when soil conditions indicate

substantial settlement or differential settlement might
occur.

Appendix B of the API covers recommended

Practice for Construction of a Ringwall Foundation.

The following recommended criteria for tolerable
settlement of storage tanks was presented by M.I. Esrig
at the A.S.C.E. Seminar "Settlement of Structures",
May 1, 1973.
Type of Movement

Tolerable Distortion

Max settlement of shell

12 inches

Max differential settlement

of bottom plate

Less than 2-in. in 30-ft.

Max tilt

About 1 foot
in 30-ft. from
a tilted planar position

~-in.

Max differential settlement

of the shell

and
2-in. in 30-ft.

Significant stresses result from out-of-planar tilting.

This is defined by Esrig as:

the deviation from the

sine curve that results when settlements along the

19

circumference of the tank that only represent planar

tilting are plotted along a line whose length represents
the circumference of the tank.
Tank Roof
The roof design can be either a supported cone
with its principal support provided by rafters and
columns, as shown in Figure 4, or a self-supported cone
or dome roof supported only at its periphery.

The roof

and supporting structures shall be designed to support

dead load, plus a uniform live load of not less than
30 lbs. per sq. ft. of projected area to meet State of
New Jersey Code Requirements.

27

API design provides for

a live load of only 25 lbs. per sq. ft.

Supported cone roofs are lap welded from the top
side only with continuous fillet welds.
be attached to supporting members.

Plates shall not

The roof plates should

be attached to the top angle of the shell by a

continuous fillet weld not larger than 3/l6-inch.
Top angle.

The shell to roof connection should be

breakable and, in case of excessive internal pressure,

should rupture before failure occurs in a shell joint or
at the bottom-to-shell connection.

28

Recently a tank

20

was filled beyond capacity causing excessive internal

pressures that buldged the roof plates.

The roof-to-top

angle weld broke at three points almost equal distant

around the roof periphery.

Although some No. 6 fuel oil

shot out of the fractures and sprayed the area, no joints

in the shell were ruptured and a major catastrophy was
aV02'd e

d 29

Vents.

Fixed roof tanks accommodate a very low

internal pressure or vacuum.

Therefore, adequate vents

must be furnished to accommodate variations in pressure

caused by the daily cyclical thermal expansion and
contraction of the vapor space (breathing losses) and
the input and withdrawal of liquid (working losses).
As the tank vents excess pressure, evaporated
hydrocarbons in the vapor space are expelled.

As the

tank draws in fresh air,evaporation of more hydrocarbons

takes place to saturate the air-vapor mixture.

Breathing

and working losses are a function of the vapor pressure

and temperature of the fuel as well as weather
conditions and the size of the vapor space.

The most

effective way to minimize evaporation losses is to

limit the size of the vapor space by means of a
floating roof.

21
FLOATING ROOF
A floating roof, in direct contact with the
surface of the liquid,

eliminates the hazardous vapor

space found in a standard cone roof tank.

Tests have

demonstrated that, "No measurable explosive vapor mixture

is present between the floating pan and the fixed roof of
a tank storing volitile liquid".30

However, on a standard

cone roof tank the danger of an explosive mixture is

always present as pointed out by Hubbert O'Brien in
Petroleum Tankage and Transmission who states, "A
condition of vapor stratification always exists in the
vapor space varing from nearly pure air at the vent to
nearly a pure vapor at the liquid surface". 31
Standard cone roof tanks are being equipped with
simplified internal floaters, furnished to API-650,
Appendix H specifications, for the storage of gasoline,
light distillates, jet and turbine fuels, crude oil and
naptha for all weather protection, control of
evaporation, safety and pollution control.
Since the internal floating roof is protected from
the weather by the fixed roof there is no need for
snow removal or for an elaborate drainage system, and
there are no problems with icing of the seal.

The fixed

22

roof tank equipped with a floating roof combines the low

cost maintenance of a fixed roof tank while offering the
advantages of a floating roof tank built to Appendix C
specifications.
Appendix H
The Appendix H floating roof consists of a steel
plate deck and rim with peripheral and penetration seals.
The space between the outer periphery of the deck and the
tank shell is sealed by a flexible device which provides
32
a close fit to the shell surfaces.
No pontoons are
required for internal floating roofs.

The weathermaster

seal by Chicago Bridge and Iron, for example, is "a

tough envelope of Polyurethane coated Nylon which
protects a resilient foam seal".33

Penetration seals

are furnished wherever columns or other appurtenances

penetrate the deck and should provide a close fit.

All

seals should be durable in their environment and should

not contaminate the product stored.
Roof supports.

The floating roof is furnished with

supports (Figure 5) to allow the deck to rest above

interior piping, fill nozzles and floating suction outlet
nozzles when the tank is empty.

Usually there is an

upper and a lower resting position for a floating roof.

23

The upper support position allows the floating roof to

rest at the minimum operating level, usually three to
four feet above the tank bottom.

The lower support

position allows the roof to rest at the maintenance level

to provide sufficient height for cleaning crews to work
under the floating roof.
Vents.

The API-650 requires an automatic bleeder vent

(Figure 6) on the floating roof to evacuate air and gases

from underneath the deck when the floating roof is
resting on its supports.

It also requires that this

vent relieve any vacuum generated underneath the deck after

. settl
'1ts supports dur1ng
"
.
34
1t
es on
W1t hd rawa 1 operat1ons.
The API-650 requires vents located in the shell
above the highest level of the seal of the floating roof
when the tank is full.

The total open area of these

circulation vents shall be not less than 0.2 square feet

per foot of tank diameter.

35

(Figure 7)

The open vent furnished on standard cone roof tanks

is also required at the peak of the cone roof tank
equipped with a floater, even though there are at least
four equally spaced circulation vents in the shell.
minimum open area of 50 square inches is required for

24

'
t h ~s
vent. 36

Stainless steel coarse mesh for the shell

and roof vents should be specified to prevent ingress

of birds and animals.

Also rain shields on the roof

vent and on each shell vent should be included.

Overflow vent.

For fuel oil tanks located in remote

locations the API-650 requirement for an overflow

indicator may not be adequate to insure against accidental
overfilling of the tank.

Overflow vents sized to dump

fuel at the maximum possible filling rate should be

specified.

The overflow vents should begin to dump

fuel as the seal rises past the vents, thus stopping the
vertical assent of the floating roof.
The elevation of the overflow vents is a function
of the length of roof supports extending above the
floating roof.

The worst case is when the supports are

in the upper position.

Roof Sinkings
R. W. Bodley in a survey of floating roofs installed
in this country found that one had sunk because "the
pipe supports were pinned to the low-travel position and
contacted the roof during filling causing the product to
come up over the rim and through the pipe sleeves. 1137

25

He also found that nine roofs were reported sunk

in operation because the liquid stored was splashed on
top of the floating roof by gas bubbles.

38

The sinking

of a floating roof in Pennsylvania was a direct result

of l1forwarding large quantities of air to the tank by a
large positive displacement barge unloading pumps which
were used for stripping of a crude oil barge."39

An

inlet pipe diffuser on the tank inlet (Figure 8) will

dissipate large surges of fuel or air which could cause
splashing of the product on the deck.

The diffuser is

expected to limit discharge when forwarding oil from the

largest barge anticipated and to distribute the incoming
fuel so that large fluid streams are not created.
Although several floating roofs have sunk in this
country resulting in as much as six months loss in the
service of a tank and costly repairs and cleaning the
overall history of floating roofs has been a good one.
Evaporation Losses
To determine an economic justification for an
internal floating roof the API suggests that theoretical
evaporation loss from the specific fixed-roof tank be
calculated as outlined in API Bulletin 2518.

The

average efficiency that can be expected from a floating

26

roof is 75% of the total evaporation loss calculated

for the fixed roof. 40
The API correlated the measured breathing losses
from data collected on 256 tanks and established that
breathing losses were a function of the true vapor
pressure, the tank diameter, the average height of the
vapor space, the average daily ambient temperature and
the color of the tank paint. 4l
Breathing losses.

Equation 7 was developed to

calculate breathing losses of gasoline and finished

petroleum products from a model equation derived from
tank data.
Ly =

l~~O

42

(14~7-P)O. 68

(D) 1. 73

x (H) 0.51 x (T) 0.5 x

Where:

= breathing

loss, in barrels per year

vapor pressure at bulk liquid
temperature, in pounds per square
inch absolute. Average liquid body
temperature may be estimated by
adding SOp. to the average ambient
temperature.
D = tank diarreter, in feet.
H = average outage, in feet. This is
the height of the vapor space
including an allowance for the
cone roof volurre.
T = average daily arrbient temperature
change, in degrees fahrenheit.
Fp = paint factor, unity for tanks
painted all-white.

Ly
p

= true

(Fp)]

(7)

27

Working losses.

Working losses may be defined as

vapor expelled from a tank as a result of liquid pumped

into or out of the tank.

The values susceptible to

correlation from data collected on 123 tanks by the API

were measured loss, true vapor pressure and rate of
product movement.

Equation 8 was derived from test data

for evaluating the working losses for gasoline and

finished petroleum products.
F =

43

3 PV kt
10,000

(8)

Where:
F = working losses, in barrels

p = true vapor pressure at bulk

liquid temperature
V = voll.llTe of liquid p1.1Itped
into tank, in barrels
kt = turnover factor
A turnover factor of one may be used for tanks with
turnovers per year equal or less than 36.

Turnover per

year is equal to the total number of barrels pumped into

the tank (throughput) divided by the tank capacity.
The API recommends multiplying Equation 7 by a factor
kc = 0.58 and Equation 8 by kc
crude oil 10s8es.

44

0.75 when calculating

Equations 7 and 8 have been converted

into nomographs by the API and are included as Figures

28

9 and 10.

Figure 11, a nomograph to convert Reid vapor

pressure to true vapor pressure is also included.

Prevention of evaporation loss from petroleum
products is becoming extremely important.

In addition

to conserving a valuable natural resource, reduction of

evaporation loss provides a substantial economic savings.

29

TANK COSTS

The cost of installing fuel oil tanks is escalating

at a very fast rate.

Figure 12 shows the tank cost index

as reported in the Eighth Annual Study of Pipeline

Installation and Equipment costs.

45

Figure 12 was used

to update tank cost data collected for the presentation

of budget cost data.
storage Tank
Figure 13 "Cost of erected fuel oil storage tank
with internal floating roof" has been compiled from the
curves presented by Jackson Clerk in Storage Tanks,46
from budget estimate prices furnished verbally by Chicago
Bridge and Iron and from Public Service Electric and Gas
Company files on the construction of nine storage tanks.
The cost of inputs from the three sources correlated when
adjusted to 1971 prices.
The cost of installing a storage tank involves
other outlays on the part of the Owner.

There are the

costs for site preparation, oil retention dike and

foundation.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 were compiled from

data obtained from a computer program written for this

thesis.

30

Site Preparation
Figure 14 neast of site preparation U graphs tank
capacity versus dollars for several estimated depths of
fill.

This cost includes a stoned earthen dike six feet

high and a twenty foot fire lane.

Construction of tanks

in areas such as the Hackensack Meadowlands may require

large amounts of fill to bring the top of dike to

u.s.

Coast & Geodetic elevation ten feet as required

the Hackensack Meadowlands Development comrnission.

by

47

Therefore a depth-af-fill curve for twelve feet has been

included to cover fill in areas where swampy soil
conditions or meadow mat may cause excessive consolidatian.
Foundations
Figure 15 "Cost of concrete ringwall foundation"
depicts tank diameter versus dollars for a ringwall
foundation as recommended in Appendix B of API-650.
Figure 16 "Cost of piled mat foundation" represents
length of piles versus dollars for several tank diameters.
Mat foundations are common in areas of very poor bearing
soil conditions where organic materials extend to great
depth below the surface.

Steel piles were used for the

calculations because experience has shown wood piles are

31

more costly than steel piles in tank mat foundations.

Bids were let for a llO-ft diameter tank foundation using
either 35-foot creosoted wood piles or IO-inch diameter
hollow steel pipe piles to be filled with concrete after
piles were driven.

Prices indicated that even with the

cost of cathodic protection included for the steel piles

the steel piled foundation was 37% cheaper. 48
Items not included in the program include hydrostatic testing, painting, fuel oil lines, filters and
valves.
Floating Roof
The cost of a floating roof is a function of tank
diameter.

Figure 17 illustrates the cost of an Appendix H-

type floating roof installed during tank erection.

Installation of a floating roof after the tank is
operational can double the roof cost shown in Figure 17.
Loss of tank service and cleaning the tank will further
increase the cost of installing the floater in an
existing tank.
To determine the economic justification for an
internal floating roof API suggests that the theoretical
evaporation loss from a specific fixed-roof tank be

32

calculated.

Then an average loss reduction of 75 percent

can be applied to the calculated evaporation loss for

the fixed-roof tank, to determine the potential savings
to be derived by use of a floater.
To illustrate the savings that may be realized by
the use of a floating roof the following hypothetical
case is presented.
A gas turbine unit requires a nominal 80,000 bbl.
fuel oil tank to store 3 lbs. Reid vapor pressure (RVP)
light naptha.

Given:
Tank diameter

Height
TOtal outage
Color of paint
Average daily temperature change
Annual throughput
.Annual average
temperature

= 110 ft.
= 48 ft.
= 30 ft.
= White

= 16 degrees
= 1,000,000 bbls
o
= 52.3 F.

Evaporation loss analysis is based on the breathing

and working losses presented in Chapter 2 and are
calculated with Figures 9 and 10.

As pointed out in the

discussion of breathing losses (Equation 7) the average

bulk temperature can be assumed to be SOF. below the
annual average temperature.

Reid vapor pressure (RVP)

can be converted to Absolute vapor pressure by use of

33

Figure 11.

Turnovers per year are equal to the annual

throughput divided by tank capacity.

COST ANALYSIS OF A FLOATING ROOF

Armual Losses

Cone Roof

Breathing loss, bbl.

Working loss, bbl.
Total Annual loss, bbl.
Net savings, bbl.

500
470
970

845

Internal Floating Roof

125

(Figure 9)
(Figure 10)

125

bbls/year

Cost to Install:
From Figure 10 =

$33,500

Return on Investrrent:
Approximate net savings 735 bbls. @$4.89

$4,100

Years to Payout:
$33,500/$4,100 =

8 years

The savings per year of approximately $4,100

represents only the cost of installing an internal
floating roof in a new tank.

There is some minimal

maintenance costs which have not been included.

The

improved quality of the stored liquid should offset any

maintenance cost.

A floating roof limits the evaporation

of the light fractions which improves the heat rate of

the fuel.

Tanks storing liquids with higher Reid vapor

pressures will payout the floating roof in fewer years.

For a light naptha with an RVP of 11 stored in an 80,000 bbl.

34

tank the years to payout is reduced to 2.7.

The economic savings realized by the installation
of a floating roof during the 20 to 30 service years of
tank justifies its installation on an economic basis.
However, the environmental and safety benefits are gaining
great importance in the design of storage tanks.

A cone

roof tank with a floating roof has a better chance for

acceptance by State Agencies and Local Officials.

35

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

The committee formed by the twenty-eighth annual

meeting of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
developed the first recommendation for the installation
of tanks with respect to their distance from property
lines, the sizing of dikes and the minimum spacing
49
between tanks.
These recommendations have been
expanded by the NFPA "Standard Flammable and Combustible
Liquids Code" (No. 30) and adopted by government agencies
responsible for setting the standards for the storage,
handling or use of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
Department of Labor and Industry
The New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC), Title
12, Chapter 133, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids fT
empowers the Department of Labor and Industry to control
the installation and operation of fuel oil storage tanks.
Fuel classification.

NJAC requirements vary as a

function of the hazardous material stored and flash point

is the most important parameter considered when classifying
hazardous liquids.

36

Flash point, as defined by the NFPA, is lithe minimum

temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapor
to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the
surface of the liquid.

Ignitable mixture is one within

the explosive range that is capable of the spread of

flame from the source of liquid through the flammable
mixture".50
For each flammable mixture of vapor and air,
there is a minimum and maximum concentration of vapor
below or above which propagation of flame does not occur
on contact with a source of ignition.

These concen-

trations set the limits of the flammable range for a

vapor and are usually expressed in terms of percentage
by volume of gas in air.
The definition of combustible and flammable liquids
adopted by the NJAC are based on flash point temperature
and vapor pressure and are classified as follows:
Combustible Liquid - Any liquid
having a flash point at or above
140 o F. All combustible liquids
are classified - Class I I I Liquids.
Flammable Liquids - Any liquids
having a flash point below 140 0 F
and a vapor pressure not exceeding
40 pounds per square inch (absolute)
at 100F.

51

37

Flammable liquids are subdivided into the following

classes by the NJAC: 52
Class IA - shall include those having
flash points below 73F
and having a boiling point
below 100 F.
Class IB - shall
flash
and a
above

include those having

points below 73F
boiling point at or
IOOoF.

Class IC - shall include those having

flash points at or above
73F but less than 100F.
Class I I -

liquids shall include those

having flash points at or
above 1000F but less than
140oF.

The NJAC also considers the boil-over characteristics

of a fuel when classifying hazardous materials.

Boil-

over is the expulsion of the stored liquid from a

burning tank in the form of a foam
tank firei

during a crude oil

for example, light fractions burn off

producing a heat wave in the residue which on reaching a

water strata in the BSW (Bottom Sediment and Water) causes
the oil to form.

53

With the type of fuel classified as

combustible or flammable with or without boil-over

characteristics, the Department of Labor and Industry
requirements for the installation of a storage tank may
be determined.

38

Location of storage tanks.

All aboveground tanks for

flammable and combustible liquids shall be located a

minimum distance from the property line or nearest
important building in accordance with Table 1.
Dikes.

Prior to the enactment of NJAC 12:133 the

New Jersey Building Code required the volume of dike area

for storage of liquids with boil-over characteristics to
be ten percent greater than the capacity of the tank to
compensate for the possible increase in volume of the
foaming oil during a tank fire.

54

NJAC 12:133 on the other hand requires the dike

area for fuels with boil-over characteristics to equal
the total capacity of the tank.

A tank storing a

liquid which does not boil over may be enclosed by a dike

with a capacity equal to the tank minus the volume of the
tank below the height of the dike.

55

The code restricts

walls of the dike to an average height of six feet above

t he

~nter~or

wa 11 56

Many municipalities are still using the older New

Jersey Building Code; therefore, the local fire chief or
building inspector should be consulted to determine the
dike capacity required.

39

The capacity of the dike area enclosing more than

one tank shall be calculated for the capacity of the
largest tank minus the volume of the smaller tanks below
the height of the dike.

The capacity of the dike for

boil-over fuels shall be calculated by deducting the

volume of all the tanks below the height of the dike.

57

Tanks within a common dike enclosure shall be separated

by an intermediate dike at least 18 inches high.
Spacing between shells.

58

NJAC 12:133 requires a

minimum distance between two adjacent tanks shall not

be less than:

59

One sixth the sum of their diameters

except when the diameter of one tank
is less than one-half the diameter
of the adjacent tank, the distance
between the two tanks shall not be
less than one-half the diameter of
the smaller tank.
Plan filing.

NJAC requires the filing of plans for

approval in accordance with Chapter 110 of the NJAC.

The

Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Engineering

and Safety reviews the application, specifications and
plans filed by a Professional Engineer on behalf of the
Owner.

40

Drawings accompanying an "Application for Approval"

for a fuel oil storage tank should include the
following: 60
1.

Plot plan.

2.

Dike plan - including location of fire

hydrants, fire lanes, dike stairway details, explosionproof lighting and foam storage facilities, if needed.
3.

Structural details of the tank foundation.

4.

Tank drawing - including schedule of shell

plate thicknesses, location and size of vents, grounding

details, inlet and outlet nozzles and valves.
A general description of the fuel to be stored including
its degree of hazard should be included with the
application.
Table 2 outlines the Properties of Flammable Liquids
including the NFPA suggested hazard Identification for
Health, Flammability and Reactivity.
OSHA
The requirements outlined by the NJAC 12:133 have
been adopted by the federal government in the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970, Paragraph 1910.106
"Flanunable and Combustible Liquids."

41

Department of Environmental Protection

The New Jersey Air Pollution Code, Chapter 9,
entitled nPermits" empowers the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to control the construction and
operation of any device capable of causing the emission
of an air contaminent into the open air.

Since fuel

oil storage tanks emit fuel oil vapors in the form of

breathing losses and working losses,the DEP is empowered
by Paragraph 2.SA of Chapter 9 to regulate the construction
and operation of tanks having a capacity in excess of
10,000 gallons.
The DEP requires the Owner of a fuel oil storage
tank to file for a "Permit to Construct" and for a
IICertificate to Operate Control Apparatus or Equipment".
This certificate is valid for a period of five years and
may be renewed after reapplication is

made not less than

ninety days prior to the expiration date.

The DEP may

require details it considers necessary to determine that

the equipment is designed to operate without violating
the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act.

Information

usually required includes description of process,

operating procedures, nature of air contaminents and
volume of gas discharged.

Internal floating roofs are

42

recognized as an effective control apparatus in reducing

levels of emission of air contaminents.

43

CONCLUSION

The API-650, Appendix K variable point method of

design should be used for the construction of large tanks
to obtain reasonably uniform shell stresses in each
course of the shell and greater economy_

Notch toughness

and stress relieving do not represent a costly problem

for fabricators who have worked with these limitations for
years in the construction of pressure vessels and water
towers.

The cost of Appendix K tanks will be lower than

standard tanks because the variable point method yields

thinner shell plates.
The installation of a floating roof in a cone roof
tank makes good sense economically and ecologically.

The

installation of a floating roof almost eliminates

evaporation losses and benefits the Owner in the
following ways:
1.

The control of hazardous vapors and

elimination of the vapor space limit the chance of a

fire or explosion.
2.
is maintained.

Fuel oil is conserved and product quality

44

3.

Very little environmental pollution is

created by the operation of the tank.

4.

The maintenance associated with drains,

ice and snow with regular floating roofs is not required.

45

REFERENCES

1.

Report on Records of Oil Tank Fires in the united

States 1915-1925, American Petroleum Institute,
(New York, 1925), p. 5.

2.

L. P. zick and R. V. McGrath, "Design of LargeDiameter Cylindrical Shells, If American Petroleum

Institute, Division Refinery, 1968, p. 1115.

3.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, American

Petroleum Institute, 4th Edition, Standard 650,
(Washington, June, 1970), p. 14.

4.

L. P. Zick and R. V. McGrath, p. 1112.

5.

zick and R. V. McGrath, "New Design Approach

for Large Storage Tanks," Hydrocarbon Processing,
Volume 47, No.5, May, 1968, p. 144.

6.

Ibid, p. 143.

7.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 100.

8.

Ibid.

9.

L. P. zick and R. V. McGrath, "Design of LargeDiameter Cylindrical She1ls,1I p. 1126.

10.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 101.

11.

L. P. zick and R. V. McGrath, "Design of LargeDiameter Cylindrical Shells,1I p. 1127.

12.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 101.

13.

Tables-Formulas I Chicago Bridge and Iron Company,

Bulletin 594, (Oak Brook, Illinois, 1971) I p. 4.

14.

J. G. Wilson and P. D. Thomas,

L. P.

nUsing Carbon Steels

in High-Stress Structures, n The Oil and Gas Journal,
Volume 61, March 3, 1963, p. 104.

46

15.

"Steel Tanks for Liquid Storage", American Iron and

Steel Institute (New York), p. 8.

16.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 90.

17.

H. CD Cotton and J. B. Denham, "European Practice on

the Design and Construction of Oil Storage Tanks,"
American Petroleum Institute, Division of Refining
Procedures (Annual), Volume 48, 1968, p. 108.

18.

Low Temperature and Cryogenic Steels, Materials

Manual, United States Steel, ADUSS 01-1206 (Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 1964), p. 45.

19.

H. C. Cotton and J. B. Denham, p. 1087.

20.

Earl R. Parker, Stress Relieving of Weldments,

Welding Research Council, October, 1957, p. 439.

21.

Welded Steel Tanks for oil Storage, p. 73.

22.

H. C. Cotton and J. B. Denham, p. 1082.

23.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 92.

24.

L. P. Zick and R. V. McGrath, "New Design Approach

for Large Storage Tanks," p. 1118

..

25.

H. C. Cotton and J. B. Denham, p. 1093.

26.

Ibid.

27.

Mr. D. Duloff, Business Conversation, New Jersey

Department of Labor and Industry, September, 1972.

28.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 18.

29.

Field inspection by author, March 22, 1973.

30.

Horton Floating Roofs, Chicago Bridge and Iron

Company, Bulletin No. 3200, (Oak Brook, Illinois,
1971), p. 24.

31.

Hubbert L. O'Brien, Petroleum Tankage and Transmission, Grave Tank and Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
(East Chicago, Indiana, 1951), p. 15.

47

32.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 95.

33.

Horton Floating Roofs, p. 22.

34.

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, p. 96.

35.

Ibid, p. 95.

36.

Ibid.

37.

R. W. Bodley, "When Covered Floaters Are Used,"

Hydrocarbon Processing, Volume 50, September, 1971, p. 159.

38.

Ibid, p. 161.

39.

United Engineers and Constructors, Inc., Business

Letter, November 17, 1972, p. 2.

40.

Use of Internal Floating Covers for Fixed-Roof

Tanks to Reduce Evaporation Loss, American
Petroleum Institute, Bulletin 2519, 1962, p. 10.

41.

Evaporation Loss from Fixed-Roof Tanks, American

Petroleum Institute, Bulletin 2518, 1962, p. 6.

42.

Ibid, p. 13.

43.

Ibid, p. 19.

44.

Ibid, p. 23.

45.

"Pipeline Economics,1I Oil and Gas Journal, Volume

70, No. 33, (August 14, 1972,) p. 118.

46.

Clerk Jackson, IIStorage Tanks," Chemical Engineering,

Volume 72, No .. 3, February 1, 1965, p. 104.

47.

J. Bowen, Business Conversation, Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, January, 1973.

48.

Prices taken from author's files on 80,000 bbl.

fuel oil tank built in 1972.

49.

"Report on Records of oil Tank Fires in the United

States, 1915-1925," p. 15.

48

50.

Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials, 3rd

Edition, National Fire Protection Association
(Boston, 1969), p. 325 M-3.

51.

Flammable and Combustible Liquids, State of New

Jersey Department of Labor and Industry, N.J.A.C.
12:133, Section 3, p. 16.

52.

Ibid, p. 17.

53.

Ibid, p. 12.

54.

Standard Building Code, state of New Jersey,

Department of Conservation and Economic
Development, Trenton, 1965, p. 85.

55.

Flammable and Combustible Liquids, p. 35.

56.

Ibid, p. 36.

57.

Ibid, p. 35.

58.

Ibid.

59.

Ibid, p. 29.

60.

Format used by author for 80,000 bbl. tank.

61.

Federal Register, Volume 36, No. 105, May 29, 1971,

pp. 10529-10538.

62.

L. P. zick and R. V. McGrath, "Design of LargeDiameter Cylindrical Shells," p. 1137 ..

63.

Ibid, p. 1139.

64.

"Evaporation Loss from Fixed-Roof Tanks," Figure 8.

65.

Ibid, Figure 12.

66.

Ibid, Figure I, p. 8.

67.

Flammable and Combustible Liquids, pp. 25 and 27.

68.

Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials,

pp. 325M-ll, 12, 13, 84, 85 and 109.

49

BIBLIOGRAPHY
American Iron and Steel Institute, Steel Tanks for Liquid
Storage, New York.
American Petroleum Institute, Welded Steel Tanks for Oil
Storage, 4th Edition, Standard 650, Washington,
June, 1970.
American Petroleum Institute, Evaporation from FloatingRoof Tanks, Bulletin 2517, February, 1962.
American Petroleum Institute, Use of Internal Floating
Covers for Fixed-Roof Tanks to Reduce Evaporation
Loss, Bulletin 2519, November, 1962.
American Petroleum Institute, Evaporation Loss From FixedRoof Tanks, Bulletin No. 2518, Washington, D.C.,
June, 1962.
American Petroleum Institute, Report on Records of Oil
Tank Fires in the United States, 19l5~1925,
New York, 1925.
Ashley, C. C., Evaporation Losses of Petroleum Oils From
Steel Tanks, The Oil and Gas Journal, Volume 37,
No. 26, November 10, 1938, pp. 170, 172-173 and 177.
Bodley, R. W., When Covered Floaters are Used, Hydrocarbon
Processing, Volume 50, September, 1971, p. 159.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids, State of New Jersey
Department of Labor and Industry, N.J.A.C., 12:133,
Section 3.
Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Horton Floating Roofs,
Bulletin No. 3200, Oak Brook, Illinois, 1971.
Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, oil Storage Tanks with
Fixed-Roofs, Bulletin No. 3310, Oak Brook,
Illinois, 1971.
Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Tables - Formulas,
Bulletin 594, Oak Brook, Illinois, 1971.

50

Clerk, Jackson, Storage Tanks, Chemical Engineering,

Volume 72, Number 3, February 1, 1965, p. 104.
Cotton, H. C. and Denham, J. B., European Practice in the
Design and Construction of Oi~ Storage Tanks,
American Petroleum Institute, Division of Refining
Prec. (Annual), Volume 48, 1968, pp. 1075-1113 ..
Horton, Harry, Tanks, Petroleum Review, Volume 24,
July, 1970, pp. 203-208.
Hughes, John R., The Storage and Handling of Petroleum
Liquids: Practice and Law, London: Griffin
Company, Ltd., 1967.
National Fire Protection Association, Flammable Liquids,
Boilers - Furnaces, Ovens, National Fire Codes,
Boston, Volume 1, 1971-1972, pp. 30-1 - 30-38.
National Fire Protection Association, Fire Protection
Guide on Hazardous Materials, 3rd Edition,
Boston, 1969, pp. 325M-l - 325M-16.
Nelson, A. H., Industry Experience Shows Internal
Floating Covers Score High, Oil and Gas Journal,
Volume 69, September 13, 1971, pp. 84-86.
O'Brien, Hubbert L., Petroleum Tankage and Transmission,
East Chicago, Indiana: Graver Tank and
Manufacturing Company, Inc., 1951.
"Occupational Safety and Health Standards," Federal
Register, Volume 36, No. 105, May 29, 1971
Part II.
Parker, Earl R., Stress Relieving of We1dments, Welding
Research Council, October, 1957, pp. 433S-440S.
Petsinger, Robert E., and Herbert W. March, High-Strength
Steels for Lower Cost Tanks, Chemical Engineering,
Volume 73, May 9, 1966, pp. 182-192.
Pipeline Economics, Oil and Gas Journal, Volume 70,
No. 33, August 14, 1972, p. 118.

51

Rogers, Walter F., Method of Calculating Oil Evaporation

Losses, Part I and II, Petroleum Engineer,
Volume 9, Nos. 9 and II, June 1938, pp. 39-43,
July 1938, pp. 48-49 and 52.
Schmidt, Paul F., Fuel Oil Manual, New York:
Press, Inc., 1969.

Industrial

United Engineers and Constructors, Inc., Private

Communication, November 17, 1972.
United States Steel, Low Temperature and Cryogenic
Steels, Materials Manual, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, ADUSS 01-1206, 1964, pp. 43-81,
83-105.
Wilson, J. G. and P. D. Thomas, Using Carbon Steels in
High-Stress Structures, The Oil and Gas Journal,
Volume 61, March 3, 1963, pp. 103-107.
Zick, L. P. and R. V. McGrath, Design of LargeDiameter Cylindrical Shells, American Petroleum
Institute, Division Refinery, 1968, pp. 1115-1140.
Zick, L. P. and R. V. McGrath, New Design Approach for
Large Storage Tanks, Hydrocarbon Processing,
Volume 47, No.5, May, 1968, pp. 143-146.
Zimmerman, o. T., "Cost Indexes", 1945-1971, Cost
Engineering, July, 1971, pp. 12-14.

...... 36-in.

Circulation Vents

dia. manhole

o
OVerflew Vents
-------.~.-,-,-'

36-in. dia.

Floating
Roof
Seal

..

---L-- ___ J
110 FT. DIAMETER

FIGURE 1

DRAWING OF CONE RCDF SHELL SHCWING INTERNAL FIDATlliG ROJF

Variable Design POint~ 0

I

IJ

0.32 (Chul

X3

0.61

Xl

Min. Height of X2
When

tu

Initial Location

I /

Maximum
~Ir-------~~.'-----------------~
Deflection
/
1

FIGURE 2

C=0=X
2

of Tank Shell

h)
u

./Girth Joint
~~

unrestrained
Radial GrCMth

ELASTIC MJVEMENT OF SHELL COURSES AT GIRrH JOINT

62

Basic

API-6S0

,Appendix D

~I

t=:;::-=
Top Course

Appendix G

~I

/8

6th
16

Course

-;L

"./ .,/

116

5th

Course
24 I

<

",E

124

_ .... ~

4th

32 I Course

40 I Course

II//, I

;;"

:;;'

1 32

f
~

140

3rd

API-GSO

Y 1 / L,

7/

~
2nd

48 I Course

API-65 O-K

'(I

Botton Course

".

'.11

148

30

'56
34

___ rr6'!'_

56

18

23

Average Circumferential Stress in Kips per Square Inch

FIGURE 3

ACI'UAL STRESSES BY ANALYSIS :IN 220 FCOT DIAMETER TANK

63

bolt
Floating Roof Pinned at
Maintenance Level

Floating Roof at
Minimum Operating
Level

6-ft.

+ 3-ft.

-4-- Tank

upper Support Position

FIGURE 5

Bottom ~=-----1.====:L.---l

__

Lcwer Support Position

FlOATING ROOF SUPPORrS

. . / Pin to Alloo for Floating

Roof Maintenance Level
Operation

. Minimum I-inch.

IO-inCh

Diameter~

I
I
I

11-..1!:::==t1

I
I
~

~Floating Roof Deck

ll-_--Il!::::===
I

______

FIGURE 6

~~r:J=====.Li--------~Tank

Bottom

IO-INCH DIAMETER AUIOMATIC BLEEDER VENT

o
o
o
o
CO

~
~
~

I
~
~

tl

I:J0

~
f3
p::

I
iii

co

Ii<

Tank Color

White

15

20

t.f~~(-.A
t.l

1.00
1.33

Light Grey
Medium Grey

40

~o6

::::ture 30~~
~~
i.O

1.46

30

80 100

4 2> 152&"40

\'5~

Paint Factor

150 200

Change in

.$

0-t-

____ _

Dp ..

10

.,

&
./J

!/d

4-

6
8

I
I

Fuel oil

Cr:ude oil

10

100
T

'0

100

FIGURE 9

J.O

1000

,oJOO

1000

---~-_~_~

10000

BREATHING LOSSES FROM A FIXED RCX)F TANK

64

15
00
til

S 10
M
.r-!

Ul ' .

......

.r-I' .......
U)

1+-1

P.!

.~

Ul

~
4

6
8

10

U)

",

H
A.I
H

& -,-

:}-

- -

--- ,
......

..-

\.

5~e'2_ - -

.......
.......

ffi

~
~
~

........

.~

", ,

---

i
,

,02

" ,

-5

0-36
2

..........

60

80
100

0.8
200

.......

.......

" '&6
,~

.r-!

CQ

r-I

r-I

B5

Pivot

<l)

,
....-f

15 rn
rn
10

20

400 0 6

0.8

0.6

.......

.......

0 .. 4

0.2

0.15

0.2
0 .. 15

0.1

Note:

The throughput is divided by a number (1,10,100,1,000) to bring it into

the range of the scale. The working loss, read fran the scale, IlU..lSt then
be multiplied by the same number.
FIGURE 10

WORKING LOSS OF GASOLINE AND CRUDE OIL FROM FlXED-BOJF TANKS

120

0.4
0.6

0.8

100
1

~en

80 -

rn

ro
.r-!

til

P-I

.~

til

Ul

Of.t..!

-~

:>

60

ro

-..-{

10

E-i

Pol
H

~
:>

40
6

20
8

10

In the absence of distillation data the

following average value of S(slope of
ASTM distillation curve) may be used:
Motor Gasoline
Aviation Gasoline
Light Naptha (9-14 1b RVP)
Naptha (2-8 lb RVP)

20

2
3.5
2 .. 5

15

FIGURE 11

..iJ

NOM.XFAPH FOR CONVEPSION OF REID VAPOR

PRESSURE 'ill ABSOLUTE VAPOR PRESSURE

300

250

200

1965

1970
YEAR

FIGURE 12 TANK COST INDEX (1947=100)45

1000

,;

/'

/'

,~>-

/'

!--

7
V

..

1-.

I-

100

~
5

f-

~V

~V

1/

I-

~~

.......

f--

"""'- I--

-- -

------------- --

10

FIGURE 13

100
Capacity in Thousands of Barrels
COST OF ERECTED FUEL OIL STORAGE TANK WITH INTERNAL
FLOATING ROOF

N
r-I

r-I
r-I
.r-!
4-l

&

4-l

:S
roat
II

::r:

q.
0
0

r-I

r-I

:x:
til

rl
rl

.~
-J-l
til

I
r::4

tQ

~
E-!

8
q.

r-I

~
H

I":t!

r-I

--------------~------------~------------+-----------~~

(V')

tr.I

r-i
r-i

4-1
0
[J)

fZ

I
t=:t!

8~

.~
+I

tr.I

0
CJ

t.f)

r-i

~
H

r-l

L{)

o
o

r-l

LJ)

D=llO'

100

75 I

D=150'

II

D==200'

U)

fS
H
P-I

50

".

Ji,<

;/

;
25 I

..

jf

:/"

D = Diameter of Tank

500

250

Cost in Thousnads of Dollars

FIGURE 16

COST OF PILED MAT FOUNDATION

750

----~------~------------~----------~----------~o
o::;Sf

~
U)

~
8

r-I
4-1

]
~

~
.~

..jJ
[J)

0
N

~
~
~
f:1
E-!

8
rr-I

~
H

J::r.i

o
o

r-I

L()

Type of Tank

Floating
Roof

Protection

Atmospheric Tanks
Storing Flammable
or Combustible
Liquids.

Atmospheric Tanks Storing

Hazardous Liquids With Boi1Over Characteristics.

Diked
or
Drained

1/2 Times Diameter

of Tank but Need
Not Exceed 90 Feet.

Diameter of Tank but Need

Not Exceed 175 Feet.

Diameter of Tank
but Need Not Exceed
175 Feet.

2 Times Diameter of Tank but

Need Not Exceed 350 Feet.

Approved
Foam or
Inerting
System on
The Tank

1/2 Times Diameter

of Tank but Need
Not Exceed 90 Feet
and Shall Not Be
Less Than 5 Feet

Diameter of Tank but Need

Not Exceed 175 Feet.

Diked
or
Drained

Diameter of Tank but

Need Not Exceed 175
Feet

2 Times Diameter of Tank but

Need Not Exceed 350 Feet.

2 Times Diameter of
Tank but Need Not
Exceed 350 Feet

4 Times Diam~ter of Tank

but Need Not Exceed 350
Feet.

None

Cone

Roof
Tank

None

TABLE 1

MINIMUM DISTANCE IN FEET FROM PROPERTY LINE OR NEAREST IMPORTANT BUILDING

67

Min.
Flash
Point
Deg. F.

Ignition
Temp.
Deg. F.

Boiling
Point
Deg. F.

Fuel Oil No. 1

(Kerosene)
(Range Oil)
(Coal Oil)

100

410

304-574

Fuel Oil No. 2

100

Fuel Oil No. 4

130

Fuel Oil No. 5

130

Fuel Oil-No. 6

150

765

85

450

28

450

N aptha V ~-M.

Naptha V. M.

P.,

&

&

P.,

Suggested
Hazard
Identification
ReacFlammaability
Health
tivity

494

505

280-350

212-320

-----T-- --

--

The following discussions on degrees of hazard are an interpretation of the

information contained within NFPA No. 704M and are related specifically to the
fire fighting aspects.
Refer to NFPA No. 704M for a detailed discussion of the
identification system.

TABLE 2

Sheet 1 of 2

HEALTH

Materials only slightly hazardous to health.

It
may be desirable to wear self-contained breathing
apparatus.

Materials which on exposure under fire conditions

would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary
combustible material.

FLMJI'..MABILITY

Materials which can be ignited under almost all

normal temperature conditions. Water may be
ineffective because of the low flash point.

Materials which must be moderately heated before

ignition will occur. Water spray may be used to
extinguish the fire because the material can be
cooled below its flash point.

REACTIVITY (Stability)

TABLE 2

Materials which (in themselves) are normally stable

even under fire exposure conditions and which are
not reactive with water. Normal fire fighting
procedures may be used.

PROPERTIES OF FUEL OILS AND THEIR HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

68

Sheet 2 of 2