GP 09 04 01

GP 09-04-01 Atmospheric Storage Tanks March 2010
Atmospheric Storage Tanks

GP 09-04-01
Scope
1) [I] This Global Practice (GP) covers the design, fabrication, erection, inspection, and testing of
aboveground atmospheric storage tanks fabricated of carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel in
accordance with API STD 650 or other standards. The requirements given herein supplement and
modify those of API STD 650.
2) If tanks are designed to other standards, then the Owner's Engineer shall specify which Sections of
this GP shall apply.
3) Small tanks within the scope of API STD 650 Appendix A "Optional Design Basis for Small Tanks"
or shop-fabricated tanks within the scope of API STD 650 Appendix J "Shop-Assembled Storage
Tanks" may be entirely designed, fabricated, erected, and inspected per API STD 650 with additional
requirements in Section 4 of this GP.
Refining/Chemicals For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0
Page 1 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company
Copyright Waiver
ExxonMobil Development Company and ExxonMobil Pipeline Company hereby license the use of ExxonMobil Engineering Practices System (EMEPS) Global Practices (GPs) for
use by any ExxonMobil division, subsidiary, or more-than-50%-owned affiliate. The GPs may be downloaded and modified as necessary for project and affiliate use. Written
permission from ExxonMobil Development Company or ExxonMobil Pipeline Company is not required. However, any modified GPs must be renumbered to a project-specific or
affiliate-specific number to distinguish them from the GPs on the EMEPS web site. ExxonMobil operated joint ventures may utilize GPs to create project-specific or location-specific
specifications. It is the responsibility of individual affiliate or joint venture to ensure that the use of GPs and their derivatives is limited to joint venture related business and not
disclosed or used outside the JV without appropriate EM management approval.
Table of Contents
Table of Figures...............................................................................................................5
Table of Tables.................................................................................................................6
1. Required References...............................................................................................7
1.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices.....................................7
1.2. API–American Petroleum Institute..................................................................7
1.3. ASME–American Society of Mechanical Engineers.......................................7
2. Additional Requirements........................................................................................7
2.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices.....................................8
2.2. API–American Petroleum Institute..................................................................8
2.3. ASTM–American Society for Testing Materials..............................................8
2.4. CSA–Canadian Standards Association..........................................................9
2.5. NACE–National Association of Corrosion Engineers.....................................9
2.6. NFPA–National Fire Protection Agency..........................................................9
3. Definitions................................................................................................................9
3.1. Terms..............................................................................................................9
3.2. Acronyms......................................................................................................10
4. General....................................................................................................................11
5. Materials..................................................................................................................11
6. Bottom Design.......................................................................................................12
7. Shell Design...........................................................................................................14
7.1. Shell Plate Thickness...................................................................................14
7.2. Vertical and Horizontal Shell Joints..............................................................14
7.3. Tank Stability.................................................................................................14
8. Wind Girder Design...............................................................................................15
9. Fixed Roof Design.................................................................................................15
10. Internal Floating Roof Design..............................................................................17
11. Floating Roofs........................................................................................................17
RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

11.1. Roof Travel....................................................................................................17

11.2. Roofs Greater Than 60 ft (18 m) Diameter...................................................17
11.3. Seals.............................................................................................................20
11.4. Supporting Legs............................................................................................21
11.5. Stainless Steel Shunts..................................................................................21
12. Tank Connections and Appurtenances...............................................................22
12.1. Shell Manholes, Nozzles, Cleanout Fittings, and Overflow Slots.................22
13. Fabrication.............................................................................................................23
13.1. Shop Inspection–Mill Test Data....................................................................23
14. Erection...................................................................................................................23
14.1. Tank Shells....................................................................................................23
14.2. Roofs.............................................................................................................24
14.3. Inspecting and Testing Tank Bottom.............................................................24
14.4. Testing Tank Shell.........................................................................................24
14.5. Settlement Measurements for Tanks Greater Than 50 ft (15 m) in Diameter
......................................................................................................................26
15. Radiographic Method of Inspecting Shell Joints...............................................27
15.1. Number and Location of Radiographs..........................................................27
15.2. Film...............................................................................................................28
16. Welding...................................................................................................................28
17. Additional Materials and Design Requirements for Acid Tanks.......................30

17.1. Shell..............................................................................................................30
17.2. Bottom...........................................................................................................30
17.3. Roof...............................................................................................................30
17.4. Accessories...................................................................................................30
17.5. Linings or Protective Coatings......................................................................31
18. Additional Materials and Design Requirements for High Strength Steel........31
18.1. Design...........................................................................................................31
18.2. Materials.......................................................................................................31
18.3. Welding and Weld Inspection.......................................................................33
18.4. Erection.........................................................................................................34
19. Tolerances..............................................................................................................34

20. Tank Calibration.....................................................................................................34
Record of Change..........................................................................................................35
Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions......................................................................38

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Illustration of Effective Cross Sectional Area...........................................19
Figure 2: Hydrostatic Tank Leak Test.........................................................................23
Figure 3: Bottom Internal Settlement Measurements...............................................27
Figure 4: Fillet Weld Geometry.......................................................................................29

Table of Tables
Table 1: Tank Bottom Design Categories...................................................................13
Table 2: Minimum Thicknesses...................................................................................20
Table 3: Minimum Holding Time..................................................................................25
Table 4: Maximum Water Fill Rates.............................................................................25
Table 5: Number of Shell Settlements Readings, N.......................................................26

1. Required References
This Section lists the Practices, codes, standards, specifications, and publications that shall be used with
this document. Unless otherwise specified herein, use the latest edition.
1.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices

GP 03-18-01 Piping Fabrication Shop or Field
GP 09-07-03 Vents for Fixed Roof Atmospheric Storage Tanks
GP 09-07-04 Internal Floating Roofs for Atmospheric Storage Tanks
GP 18-10-01 Additional Requirements for Materials
GP 19-01-01 Paint and Protective Coatings
1.2. API–American Petroleum Institute

API RP 2Z Recommended Practice for Preproduction Qualification for Steel Plates
for Offshore Structures
API RP 545 Recommended Practice for Lightning Protection of Aboveground
Storage Tanks for Flammable or Combustible Liquids
API STD 650 Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
1.3. ASME–American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME SEC VIII D1 BPVC Section VIII - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels -
Division 1
ASME SEC IX BPVC Section IX - Qualification Standard for Welding and Brazing
Procedures, Welders, Brazers, and Welding and Brazing Operators
2. Additional Requirements
1) [*] This Section lists the additional Practices, codes, standards, specifications, and publications that
shall be used with this document only where specified. Unless otherwise specified herein, use the
latest edition.
2) [R] Where local regulations require atmospheric storage tanks to be designed to API STD 650, the
more stringent requirements of API STD 650 or this GP shall be used.

2.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices

GP 03-05-01 Fill and Discharge Lines and Auxiliary Piping for Storage Tanks and
Vessels
GP 03-16-01 Flanged Joints, Gaskets, and Bolting
GP 09-07-01 Accessories for Atmospheric Storage Tanks
GP 18-04-01 Postweld Heat Treatment of Equipment Handling Alkaline Solutions
GP 18-07-01 Welding Procedures
GP 18-12-01 Positive Material Identification
GP 20-01-01 Inspection of Equipment and Materials
GP 20-01-03 Quality Programs
2.2. API–American Petroleum Institute

API SPEC 5L Specification for Line Pipe
API STD 2000 Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks Nonrefrigerated
and Refrigerated
2.3. ASTM–American Society for Testing Materials

ASTM A 53/A 53M Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-
Coated, Welded and Seamless
ASTM A 106/A 106M Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High-
Temperature Service
ASTM A 123/A 123M Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron
and Steel Products
ASTM A 153/A 153M Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel
Hardware
ASTM A 193/A 193M Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting
Materials for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other
Special Purpose Applications
ASTM A 307 Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts and Studs, 60 000 psi
Tensile Strength
ASTM A 333/A 333M Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Steel Pipe for Low-
Temperature Service
ASTM A 573/A 573M Standard Specification for Structural Carbon Steel Plates of Improved
Toughness
ASTM B 29 Standard Specification for Refined Lead

ASTM C 279 Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Masonry Units

ASTM C 386 Standard Practice for Use of Chemical-Resistant Sulfur Mortar
ASTM C 397 Standard Practice for Use of Chemically Setting Chemical-Resistant
Silicate and Silica Mortars
ASTM C 399 Standard Practice for Use of Chemical-Resistant Resin Mortars
ASTM E 84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building
Materials
2.4. CSA–Canadian Standards Association

CSA G40.20/G40.21 General Requirements for Rolled or Welded Structural Quality Steel
2.5. NACE–National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE SP0294 Design, Fabrication, and Inspection of Storage Tank Systems for
Concentrated Fresh and Process Sulfuric Acid and Oleum at Ambient
Temperatures
2.6. NFPA–National Fire Protection Agency

NFPA 11 Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High Expansion Foam
NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
3. Definitions
3.1. Terms
Term [I] Description
Critical Exposure As applied to atmospheric storage tanks, the lower of the following:
Temperature (CET) a. The lowest one-day mean atmospheric temperature plus 15F (8C).
b. The hydrostatic test temperature.
"Fully Stiffened" A floating roof pontoon having top and bottom plates reinforced such
Pontoon that the entire pontoon cross section is effective in carrying transmitted
loads from the center deck.
High Strength Tank Steel having a specified minimum yield strength > 43,000 psi (296 MPa)
Steel and a specified maximum tensile strength  100,000 psi (689 MPa).

Low Strength Tank Steel having a specified minimum yield strength  43,000 psi (296 MPa)
Steel and a specified maximum tensile strength  85,000 psi (586 MPa).
Minimum Design Shall be equal or lower than the Critical Exposure Temperature.
Metal Temperature
"Partially Stiffened" A floating roof pontoon having top and bottom plates reinforced such
Pontoon that only part of the pontoon cross section is effective in carrying
transmitted loads from the center deck.
Production Impact As defined by ASME SEC VIII D1 A PT UG, Section UG-84. The
Test Plate purpose of these plates is to provide the required impact test specimens
for the weld metal and heat-affected zones (HAZ) in the finished item.
NOTE: For the purpose of this GP, Production Impact Test Plates are to
be made of the actual materials to be used for the item to be fabricated or
manufactured. The welding procedure for any given test plates shall be
identical to that used or to be used for the corresponding construction
weld.
3.2. Acronyms
AWS American Welding Society

CE Carbon Equivalent
CET Critical Exposure Temperature
CTOD Crack Tip Opening Displacement
HAZ Heat-Affected Zone
HTLT Hydrostatic Tank Leak Test
PQR Procedure Qualification Record
TCA Total Corrosion Allowance

4. General
[R] Tanks within the scope of API STD 650, Appendix A "Optional Design Basis for Small Tanks" or
Appendix J "Shop-Assembled Storage Tanks" may be entirely designed, fabricated, erected, and inspected
per API STD 650 except as follows:
1) All horizontal shell joints shall be complete penetration and complete fusion welds.
2) [A] Proposals to use pneumatic testing per API STD 650, Appendix J shall be submitted to the
Purchaser for approval by the Owner's Engineer.
3) The gap between the bottom shell ring and the lap bottom plates at the radial weld location shall be a
maximum of 1/8 in. (3 mm).
5. Materials
1) [R] Annular plates per Table 1 shall be of the same material group per API STD 650 as the lowest
shell course.
2) [S] For tanks with a CET less than 32F (0C), any plate used in the lowest two shell courses and
annular plates greater than 1/2 in. (13 mm) thick shall be constructed from fully killed carbon steels
manufactured to fine grain practice and normalized or quenched and tempered.
3) [S] Tank materials of construction, including welding consumables, shall meet the impact
requirements given in API STD 650 for the applicable combination of type of steel, thickness, and
CET. For materials with minimum yield strength > 55,000 psi (379 MPa), transverse impacts with
values per API STD 650 are required in addition to the longitudinal impacts.
4) [R] The use of CSA G40.21 plate with a V content > 0.02 wt% but < 0.10 wt%, Nb content of < 0.02
wt% and carbon equivalent (CE) per GP 18-10-01 is acceptable provided that a minimum preheat of
150F (65C) is maintained during welding and that root pass and final pass of all welds are magnetic
particle inspected. The preheat shall be maintained during the root pass inspection and until the weld
is complete. The final weld pass shall be magnetic particle inspected 48 hours after completion of the
weld.
5) [*] [R] Carbon steel material shall be per API STD 650 unless otherwise specified.
6) [A] [R] For austenitic stainless steel tanks, the type of steel will be specified. Substitution requires
Company approval.
7) [R] All carbon steel bolting for flanged connections shall conform to ASTM A 193/A 193M, Grade B
as a minimum. Bolts shall consist of regular unfinished machine bolts with one heavy semifinished
hex nut. ASTM A 307, Grade B may be used for structure purposes only.
8) [*] [R] A minimum corrosion allowance of 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) shall be provided on carbon steel shells.
When specified, the bottom corrosion allowance shall be 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) minimum with a 1/8 in. (3
mm) corrosion allowance on annular bottom plates.

6. Bottom Design
1) [R] For heated [< 160F (70C)] and hot [ 160F (70C)] tanks, a bottom rainshield shall be
installed.
2) [R] The tank bottom design category for the predicted settlement shall be according to Table 1.
Table 1: Tank Bottom Design Categories
Predicted
Annular Plate Width and Bottom Plate Welding Requirements
Category of Settlement(2)
Bottom
Specified (1) Maximum at Tank Diameter(3)
Tank Diameter over 150 ft
Shell over 50 ft to 150 ft
1  2 in. Per API STD 650. Annular plates shall provide a

minimum radial width of 2 ft
between the inside of the shell and
any lap welded joint in the bottom.
Bottom plates shall be two pass
welded with 70% joint efficiency.
2  6 in. Annular plates shall provide a Annular plates shall provide a
minimum radial width of 2 ft minimum radial width of 3 ft
between the inside of the shell between the inside of the shell and
and any lap welded joint in the any lap welded joint in the bottom.
bottom. Bottom plates shall be Bottom plates shall be two pass
two pass welded with 70% joint welded with 70% joint efficiency.
efficiency.
3  12 in. (4) Annular plates shall provide a Annular plates shall provide a
minimum radial width of 3 ft minimum radial width of 6 ft
between the inside of the shell between the inside of the shell and
and any lap welded joint in the any lap welded joint in the bottom.
bottom. Bottom plates shall be Bottom plates shall be two pass
two pass welded with 70% joint (min) welded with 80% joint
efficiency. efficiency.
Notes:
(1) Category 2 bottoms shall be used for tankage built in permafrost areas.
(2) Predicted settlement includes initial water loading of the tank.
(3) There are no special requirements for tanks 50 ft and under in diameter.
(4) [*] If this settlement is exceeded, some form of site improvement is required prior to tank
erection. Purchaser or Vendor shall perform soil improvement as specified.

Predicted
Annular Plate Width and Bottom Plate Welding Requirements
Category of Settlement(2)
Bottom
Specified (1) Maximum at Tank Diameter(3)
Tank Diameter over 150 ft
Shell over 50 ft to 150 ft
Acceptable Metric Equivalent Dimensions
Standard: 2 in. 6 in. 12 in. 2 ft 3 ft 6 ft 50 ft 150 ft

Metric: 50 mm 150 mm 300 mm 600 mm 900 mm 1800 mm 15 m 46 m
7. Shell Design
1) [*] [O] The tank height specified shall be per API STD 650, Appendix L "API STD 650 Storage Tank
Data Sheet."
2) [R] The maximum allowable stresses shall be per the applicable design code acceptable to the
authorities where the tank is to be located.
3) [R] Attachments shall be designed so that the primary bending stress plus the primary membrane
stress is not greater than 11/2 times the shell allowable stress.
7.1. Shell Plate Thickness

[*] [R] Unless otherwise specified, the following shall govern:
1) Specific Gravity, G: Use 1.0 if actual G  1.0. Use actual value if G > 1.0 (for calculations in metric
units, use relative density at 15C).
2) The minimum shell thickness for tanks greater than 250 ft (76 m) diameter shall not be less than 7/16
in. (11 mm).
3) For tank diameters less than 200 ft (61 m), shell thickness shall be calculated using the One Foot
Method.
7.2. Vertical and Horizontal Shell Joints

[R] Single pass buttwelds are not permitted.
7.3. Tank Stability

1) [S] The wind velocity shall be per API STD 650, Paragraph 5.2.1.k. Wind and earthquake loading
shall not be applied simultaneously. When design for earthquakes is required, the design criteria of
API STD 650, Appendix E "Seismic Design of Storage Tanks" shall be used.
2) [R] Tank overturning stability under either wind or earthquake load shall be evaluated per API STD
650 on the empty tanks in the corroded condition.

8. Wind Girder Design

1) [R] Top wind girders for open top and floating roof tanks shall be per API STD 650 except that wind
girders specified to be used as walkways shall be a minimum of 30 in. (750 mm) wide and shall be
located 3 ft, 6 in. (1050 mm) below the top of the tank.
2) [R] Calculations for intermediate wind girders for tanks where the shell corrosion allowance exceeds
1
/16 in. (1.6 mm) shall be based on the nominal shell thickness minus the corrosion allowance.
9. Fixed Roof Design

1) [R] Roof Supports: All roof support members shall have a minimum 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) total corrosion
allowance (TCA). In addition, for each specified 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) of roof corrosion allowance, the
minimum TCA for roof support members shall also be increased by 1/16 in. (1.6 mm). For tanks in
elevated temperature service, the rafter-to-shell connection shall be designed to accommodate
differential thermal expansion between the shell and roof rafters.
2) [R] Circumferential Roof Angle: The horizontal leg of the roof supporting angle shall be turned
inward. If the shell top angle is buttwelded to the shell [API STD 650 Figure F-2 (d) or (i)], it shall
be attached with a double-sided weld. For externally insulated tanks, roof angle may be turned
outward to prevent water ingress between the insulation and tank shell.
3) [S] Frangible Roofs:
a) Conical fixed roof tanks with diameter  50 ft (15 m) shall be provided with a frangible roof-to-
shell joint, unless any of the conditions below are applicable:
i) Where the compression area of the roof-to-shell junction required for internal pressure in
accordance with API STD 650, Appendix F "Design of Tanks for Small Internal Pressures"
exceeds the maximum permitted for a frangible seam.
ii) Where the compression area of the roof-to-shell junction for a self-supporting roof exceeds
the maximum permitted for a frangible seam. If not required for process or environmental
reasons, a supported cone roof with a frangible seam shall be used instead of the self-
supporting roof.
iii) If a frangible seam cannot be provided as a result of either of the conditions above,
appropriate emergency venting according to GP 09-07-03 and API STD 2000 shall be
provided. This is to prevent the internal pressure exceeding, by any contingency, the
maximum permitted design pressure calculated according to API STD 650, Appendix F
"Design of Tanks for Small Internal Pressures." This is not required if the tank is fitted with
an internal floating roof and meets the circulation venting requirements of API STD 650,
Appendix H "Internal Floating Roofs" in accordance with Paragraph 5.8.5.1 of API STD 650.
b) For conical roof tanks with diameters < 50 ft (15 m), emergency venting according to GP 09-07-03
and API STD 2000 shall be provided. This is to prevent the internal pressure exceeding, by any
contingency, the maximum permitted design pressure calculated according to API STD 650,
Appendix F "Design of Tanks for Small Internal Pressures." This is not required if the tank is
fitted with an internal floating roof and meets the circulation venting requirements of API STD
650, Appendix H "Internal Floating Roofs" in accordance with Paragraph 5.8.5.1 of API STD 650.

For tanks where the consequences of the shell-to-bottom failure are unacceptable, consideration
shall be given to improving the probability of the roof-to-shell junction failing prior to shell-to-
bottom failure by increasing the hold down forces (anchorage). The use of buttwelded bottom
plates or full penetration with fillet weld cover passes at the shell-to-bottom joint or a combination
of these design details based on an analysis of the tank shall be considered.
c) Irrespective of whether the criteria of API STD 650 for a frangible seam can be achieved, roof-to-
shell junctions shall be designed with the minimum compression area, roof slope, and fillet weld
size practicable.
4) [S] [*] Emergency Venting: When a self-supporting dome or umbrella roof design is specified,
emergency venting per API STD 2000 shall be provided.
5) [R] Bearing Plates: Bearing plates shall be provided for roof support columns. Plates shall be 24 in.
(600 mm) round or square x 3/8 in. (10 mm) thick and attached to the bottom plates by a 3/16 in. (5 mm)
continuous fillet weld.
6) [S] [*] [A] Column Supports: Structural members, with no enclosed spaces or volumes to trap liquids
or vapors, shall be used for column supports unless otherwise specified. The use of pipe for column
supports shall be approved by the Owner's Engineer. If pipe is specified, each pipe column shall be
provided with both vent and/or flushing and drain openings. The drain opening shall consist of a 2 in.
(50 mm) wide x 2 in. (50 mm) high rounded slot (mouse hole) at the bottom of each pipe column.
The vent/flushing opening shall consist of a 3/4 in. (19 mm) minimum diameter hole located 12 in. to
24 in. (300 mm to 600 mm) above the tank bottom in each pipe column.
7) [A] [R] Skylights: Owner's Engineer approval is required for Vendor design and installation of
skylight panels in Geodesic Dome roofs.
8) [R] Aluminum Dome Roofs: Aluminum dome roofs shall be in accordance with API STD 650,
Appendix G "Structurally Supported Aluminum Dome Roofs."
9) [R] Internal Coating: Where an internal coating for a fixed carbon steel roof is required, one of the
following shall be used:
a) A steel roof with any support members being external, usually a dome or umbrella roof. Roof
plates shall be fillet welded on both sides or buttwelded. Any support members shall be
continuously welded to the roof and have drain slots.
b) An aluminum dome roof.
c) [*] As otherwise specified by the Owner's Engineer.
10. Internal Floating Roof Design

[S] [E] [*] When internal floating roofs are specified, they shall be in accordance with GP 09-07-04.

11. Floating Roofs

11.1. Roof Travel
[O] Floating roof tanks, with specified flush type nozzles, shall have the floating roof designed to permit
the outer pontoon to reach a point within 15 in. (380 mm) of the tank bottom, unless limited by other
obstructions such as mixers, heating coils, roof drains, etc.
11.2. Roofs Greater Than 60 ft (18 m) Diameter

1) [R] Single deck, annular pontoon type roofs shall be per the following:
a) All roofs shall be of the low deck (minimum vapor space) type.
b) Center decks greater than 150 ft (46 m) shall have the underside of the laps stitch welded using 2
in. (50 mm) stitch welds every 12 in. (300 mm).
c) [A] In addition to part b), if the tank is located in a site that has experienced weld cracking in the
past due to frequent occurrence of high winds, it is recommended to add channel stiffeners to the
underside of the deck. Stiffeners shall be 6 in. x 8.2 lb American Standard channel or Company-
approved equivalent, and shall be installed as concentric rings with a maximum radial spacing of
20 ft (6 m).
d) Roofs for tanks greater than 150 ft (46 m) diameter shall be designed for elastic stability against
"gross out-of-plane" buckling and "local" buckling of the pontoon due to the radial load imposed
by deflection of the center deck. This radial load shall be determined from the 10 in. (250 mm)
rainfall loading condition as defined in API STD 650, Appendix C "External Floating Roofs," or
punctured center-deck loading condition, whichever governs.
i) For prevention of "gross out-of-plane" buckling, the relationships given in Equations 1 and 2
shall be satisfied:
Equation 1: Design Radial Inward Load for "Fully Stiffened" Pontoons

Standard Units Metric Units
EI x EI x
N  7.5 N  7.5  10 3
R3 R3
Where: Where:
N = Design radial inward load, lb/in. N = N/mm
E = Modulus of elasticity, psi E = kPa
R = Mean radius of pontoon ring, in. R = mm
Ix = Moment-of-inertia of full pontoon cross Ix = mm4
section with respect to horizontal axis
through its centroid, in.4

Equation 2: Design Radial Inward Load for "Partially Stiffened" Pontoons

EI x EI x
N  5.0 N  5.0  10 3
R3 R3
Where: Where:
Ix = Moment-of-inertia of full pontoon cross Ix = mm4
section with respect to horizontal axis
through its centroid, in.4
For local partially stiffened pontoons, a local buckling check is required per Equation 3:
Equation 3: Design Radial Inward Load for "Partially Stiffened" Pontoons

(Local Buckling Check)
A e EI l (n 2 - 1) A e EI l (n 2 - 1)
N N  1  10 3
RA l (R l ) 2 RA l (R l ) 2
Where: Where:
Rl = Radius of A1 in. Rl = mm
Al = Local effective cross sectional area of Al = mm2
pontoon in.2 (see Figure 1)
Ae = Total effective cross sectional area of Ae = mm2
pontoon in.2 (all the shaded area in Figure 1)
n = Number of pontoon compartments
Il = Moment-of-inertia of full Al with respect to Il = mm4
vertical axis through centroid of Al (Section
B-B in Figure 1), in.4

Figure 1: Illustration of Effective Cross Sectional Area
ii) [A] Calculations of the pontoon structure, which are done to determine if the pontoons are
"fully stiffened" or "partially stiffened" shall be submitted to the Purchaser for approval by
the Owner's Engineer.
iii) The radially unsupported width of "partially stiffened" plates shall not exceed 10 ft (3 m).
e) The inner rim of "partially-stiffened" and "fully stiffened" pontoons shall have a minimum
thickness as shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Minimum Thicknesses
Tank Diameter Rim Thickness
ft m in. mm
5
200 to 250 61 to 76 /8 16
3
> 250 to 300 > 76 to 91 /4 19
2) [A] [R] For tanks over 200 ft (61 m) in diameter, calculations and tests required to substantiate the
elastic stability of the roof pontoon design shall be as follows:
a) Where roof designs have not been previously approved by the Owner's Engineer, Vendor shall
submit test data on a roof of similar diameter to validate the design.
b) Where validation has not been made, Vendor shall conduct a proof test on the largest tank
supplied on the order. Proof test shall be based on the most critical design loading conditions.
Calculations shall be submitted to Purchaser for approval by the Owner's Engineer.
3) [R] Roofs greater than 300 ft (91 m) diameter shall have the following construction:
a) Roof shall be of the double-deck type.
b) The top edge of inner rim plates in the first two central compartments shall be welded with
continuous single fillet welds.
c) All circumferential compartments other than the outer compartment shall be provided with a
minimum of four radial partition plates.

11.3. Seals
1) [E] [*] Roof seals shall contact the shell above the liquid level for at least 90 percent of the
circumference of the tank. The maximum permissible gap between the primary seal and the tank
shell is 1/4 in. (6 mm) or that specified by local regulations, whichever is less.
2) [E] [*] [A] [O] Secondary seals shall be provided when specified or if required by local regulations.
The specification and design of secondary roof seals shall be reviewed and approved by the Owner's
Engineer.
3) [M] The design of primary seals, secondary seals, and weather shields shall permit installation and
removal from the top of the roof.
4) [S] The materials of construction for floating roof primary and secondary seals shall be
noncombustible or have a maximum flame spread classification of 25 per ASTM E 84.
5) [E] [R] Primary seals shall be mechanical-shoe, foam-filled, or double-wiper seals. Local regulatory
requirements shall be considered. If the cost is justified, mechanical-shoe seals may be stainless steel.
6) [R] Primary seal shall be equipped with nonmetallic weather shield if secondary seals are not
furnished.
7) [E] [*] [R] Nonmetallic seal material shall be satisfactory for use with petroleum products having an
aromatic content up to 75 percent, unless otherwise specified.
8) [R] Liquid-filled seals are prohibited.
9) [E] When a secondary seal is not required, provision shall be made for future installation of a
secondary seal with the tank in service.
10) [A] [R] Unless otherwise approved by the Owner's Engineer, minimum deviations from nominal rim
spaces to be accommodated by the seal shall be as follows:
a) +8 in. (200 mm) for tanks over 270 ft (82.3 m) in diameter.
b) +6 in. (150 mm) for tanks from 100 ft (30.5 m) to < 270 ft (82.3 m) in diameter.
11.4. Supporting Legs

1) [R] Supports shall be carbon steel pipe, schedule 80 minimum thickness. They shall be provided with
one 3/4 in. (19 mm) hole at the bottom for drainage.
2) [R] The clearance between the support and roof support sleeve shall be nominally 1/8 in. (3 mm) at all
points.
3) Supports shall be adjustable to two positions:
a) [*] [O] The lower position shall permit the roof to go 3 in. (75 mm) below the specified lowest
operating position without interference with any internal accessories or roof seal mechanism.
b) [M] The upper position (for cleaning) shall provide for a clearance of 6 ft, 6 in. (2000 mm)
between the lowest portion of the roof and the tank bottom.
4) [R] Bearing plates shall be centered under each support, attached to the shell bottom by a 3/16 in. (5
mm) continuous fillet weld. Plates shall be 24 in. (600 mm) round or square x 3/8 in. (10 mm) thick.
5) [R] In no case shall the height of the leg support sleeves for single-deck pontoon roofs be less than
the tank diameter divided by 60.

11.5. Stainless Steel Shunts

[S] Stainless steel shunts shall be designed per API RP 545.
12. Tank Connections and Appurtenances

12.1. Shell Manholes, Nozzles, Cleanout Fittings, and Overflow Slots
1) [R] Nozzles with insert-type reinforcement shall be attached by welds fully penetrating the shell.
2) [R] Shell manholes for floating roof tanks shall be provided with filler pieces flush with the inside of
the shell and attached to the manhole cover.
3) [M] Pressure test holes in reinforcing plates at nozzles and manholes shall be plugged with a plastic
sealant after testing.
4) [A] [R] Nozzles shall be designed for the static liquid load, piping loads, and other mechanical
loading such as mixer loads. For the purposes of calculating the nozzle loads and stresses, the free
nozzle rotation, deflection, and stiffness shall be determined in accordance with API STD 650,
Appendix P "Allowable External Loads on Tank Shell Openings." The criteria and basis to be used
for determining the allowable nozzle loads shall be reviewed and approved by the Owner's Engineer.
5) [*] [O] Fill and discharge nozzles shall be the API Low Type per API STD 650 unless otherwise
specified. In floating roof tanks, nozzles of size 12 in. (300 mm) or greater shall be of the flush type
design. Fill and discharge line piping shall be per GP 03-05-01, GP 03-16-01, and GP 09-07-01.
6) [*] [R] Shell nozzles 2 in. (50 mm) and larger shall be flanged. Nozzles for internal tank piping
connections shall extend into the tank per API STD 650 and be beveled for welding unless otherwise
specified.
7) [*] [R] Unless otherwise specified, all instrument connections except thermowells shall be a
minimum of NPS 2 flanged and thermowells shall be NPS 1 threaded.
8) [M] All shell and roof nozzle projections shall be increased to allow for specified insulation.
9) [S] Overflow slots shall not be provided for external floating roof tanks.
10) [E] [*] Overflow slots shall not be provided for fixed roof tanks with internal floating covers unless
specified by the Owner's Engineer.
11) [S] When subsurface foam injection is specified, connections shall be provided in accordance with
NFPA 11.
12) [*] [R] When specified by the Owner's Engineer, the connections for the hydrostatic tank leak test
(HTLT) shall be provided as shown in Figure 2 and in accordance with GP 03-18-01.

Figure 2: Hydrostatic Tank Leak Test
13. Fabrication
13.1. Shop Inspection–Mill Test Data
1) [R] Two copies of mill test data (including chemical and physical properties) shall be forwarded to
the Purchaser no later than the time of plate shipment to the field. All chemical and physical reports
shall indicate the specification to which the steel was manufactured. All plates and data reports shall
be readily identifiable with matching heat numbers. See GP 20-01-01 and GP 20-01-03 for additional
requirements regarding inspection and quality control. Also see GP 18-12-01 for positive material
identification.
2) Carbon steel tanks in alkaline service shall meet the requirements of GP 18-04-01.
14. Erection
14.1. Tank Shells
1) [R] Lugs or other projections on the interior shell surface shall be removed and any sharp-edged
projection weld metal chipped or ground from the plate. Any sharp-edged scars shall be filled with
weld metal and ground smooth.
2) [R] All appurtenances that required welding to the tank shell shall be installed prior to hydrotest.

3) [R] No holes shall be made in shell plates for erection purposes.
14.2. Roofs
1) [R] Cone and dome roofs shall not have depressions that will permit accumulation of water.
2) [R] External floating roofs shall be flood tested prior to placing tank in service. This flood test shall
be performed while the tank is being water filled for hydrotest. With the roof floating on water, the
roof drains shall be closed and water shall be introduced at the top of the roof until it covers the entire
deck. The roof drains shall then be opened, and the roof shall be allowed to drain for at least 24
hours. Ponds deeper than 1 in. (25 mm) or larger than 80 ft 2 (7 m2) shall be inspected and repaired.
14.3. Inspecting and Testing Tank Bottom

1) [R] Annular plate butt joints shall be 100 percent radiographed or magnetic particle inspected from
the topside after completion of the root pass and again after completion of the full weld.
2) [R] Bottom-to-shell joint shall be inspected as follows:
a) The inner fillet weld shall be leak tested after having deposited at least one layer and prior to
starting to weld the outside fillet weld. This leak test shall be performed with penetrating oil after
slag removal. All oil shall be removed before welding the outside fillet and before completing
any partially filled inner fillet weld.
b) Examination for inner fillet weld toe cracks shall be performed, using either the liquid penetrant
or magnetic particle method.
c) The gap between the bottom shell ring and the lap-welded bottom plates at the radial weld
locations shall be a maximum of 1/8 in. (3 mm).
3) [R] All bottom plate joints shall be vacuum tested using soapsuds solution per API STD 650 and at
−10 psig (−0.069 MPa).
14.4. Testing Tank Shell

1) [R] The tank erector shall perform the following:
a) Hydrostatically test the tank, including filling and emptying.
b) Install the covers of deck manholes in floating roofs, before filling.
c) Furnish, lay, and remove all lines required for testing from the water supply point to the water
disposal point.
2) [*] [R] Unless otherwise specified, the complete tank shall be hydrostatically tested using fresh water
according to Table 4 and per the following:
a) Complete all tank fabrication.
b) Perform nondestructive examinations, including a vacuum box test of new floor welds. Repair
defects and retest.
c) Conduct a full hydrostatic test for a minimum of 24 hours.
d) [*] If connections are available and specified by the Owner's Engineer, conduct the HTLT as the
last part of the hydrostatic test per Section 14.4, Item (4 of this GP. If the HTLT is not available
and the leak test specified by the Owner's Engineer, Table 3 provides the minimum holding time
during the hydrostatic test.

Table 3: Minimum Holding Time
Tank Diameter Holding Time
< 15 m (50 ft) 2 days

15 m to 21 m (50 to 70 ft) 3 days
> 21 m to 30.5 m (70 to 100 ft) 5 days
> 30.5 m (100 ft) 7 days
e) If the leakage is found during this leak test, repeat the vacuum box test of new floor welds.
Repair and retest with vacuum box.
f) Abrasive-blast and apply a lining (if required).
g) Conduct a holiday pinhole test of the lining.
3) [R] The water filling rate for testing shall not exceed those specified in Table 4.
Table 4: Maximum Water Fill Rates
Bottom Course Thickness Filling Rate

Tank Portion
in. mm in./hr mm/hr
< 7/8 < 22 Top Course 12 300
Below Top Course 18 450
 /8
7
 22 Top Third 9 225
Middle Third 12 300
Bottom Third 18 450
4) [R] The HTLT procedure shall be performed as follows:

a) Set up the testing date and ensure that test apparatus is available.
b) Blank all valves and lines that are below the intended liquid level.
c) Prior to the test day, fill the tank with 4 ft (1.2 m) of water. For tanks with floating roofs, the roof
must be landed on its legs and the liquid level must be below the upper test tap.
d) Hold the liquid level for the time recommended by the testing company licensed by Company.
e) After the test, obtain a copy of the test results. Retain copies in the tank files, as well as in the
project files.
14.5. Settlement Measurements for Tanks Greater Than 50 ft (15 m)

in Diameter
[R] Shell and bottom settlement measurements shall be made by the tank Vendor per the following:
1) [A] Shell settlement measurements shall be made after tank erection, prior to hydrostatic testing and
during water filling at the 1/2, 3/4, and full levels corresponding to the maximum filling height of the

tank. Water shall be held at the 1/2 and 3/4 levels for 24 hours and settlement data assessed for
unexpected soil behavior. Shell settlement readings shall be taken at the beginning and end of each
hold period. Assessment shall be reviewed by the Owner's Engineer. Settlement measurements shall
be taken around the tank shell on well marked locations on the annular plate or on clips welded to the
shell using the number of equal spaces (N) around the tank as specified in Table 5.
Table 5: Number of Shell Settlements Readings, N
Tank Diameter
(N)
ft m
< 150 < 46 16
150 to 225 46 to 69 24
225 to 325 69 to 99 32
Over 325 Over 99 48
Note: The maximum space shall not be more than 30 ft (10 m).
2) Bottom internal settlement measurements shall be made after hydrostatic testing. Such measurements
shall be made at 10 ft (3 m) intervals and per Figure 3.
Figure 3: Bottom Internal Settlement Measurements
3) Additional measurements shall be made in the annular plate region at approximately 30 ft (10 m)
intervals around the tank shell. A set of at least 3 measurements shall be made at each location
commencing inward from the inside surface of the tank shell and equally spaced on a radial line. A
100 percent visual examination shall be made of the tank bottom to detect any localized depressions.
The location and extent of depressions shall be indicated on the tank bottom plate layout drawing.

15. Radiographic Method of Inspecting Shell Joints

15.1. Number and Location of Radiographs
1) [R] For low strength tank steels, radiographic inspection of welding shall be per API STD 650 and
per the following requirements:
a) One additional radiograph shall be used in the first 10 ft (3 m) of each welder's first horizontal
weld.
b) If submerged arc machine welding is used, the first 3 ft (1 m) of complete weld made by each
machine shall be 100 percent radiographed.
2) [R] For tanks with a product of specific gravity (relative density) greater than 1.0, radiographic
requirements shall be the same as for low strength tank steels, except that all vertical seams shall be
100 percent radiographed.
3) [R] The film for spot radiographs at junctions between vertical and horizontal joints shall be
positioned with the greater length on the vertical seam.
4) [R] For automatically welded horizontal joints, one spot radiograph shall be taken in the first 10 ft (3
m) of weld after each setup of the automatic welder.
5) [R] For automatically welded vertical joints in API STD 650, Appendix A "Optional Design Basis for
Small Tanks," the requirements of API STD 650, Paragraph 8.1.2.2.b shall apply.
6) [R] For manually welded joints, radiographic inspection requirements shall apply to each welder.
15.2. Film
[R] Radiograph film length shall be 10 in. (250 mm) minimum, except if the weld is less than 10 in. long.
In such cases, film length shall be full length of weld.
16. Welding
1) [A] [R] Downhill welding is not permitted on vertical shell seams unless approved by the Owner's
Engineer. See GP 18-07-01, Section 5 for welding process details.
2) [A] [R] Single pass weld procedures shall only be allowed after review by the Owner's Engineer.
This shall require Fabricator to demonstrate the fracture toughness of the weld HAZ by performing
testing consistent with Section 3 of API RP 2Z and per the following:
a) Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) testing is required for each Procedure Qualification
Record (PQR) referenced by any single pass weld procedure to be used to fabricate the tank.
b) The CTOD testing method, examination, and acceptance criteria shall be per that required in API
RP 2Z for the highest heat input weld.
c) The test temperature shall be the site CET plus 15F (8C).
d) The Charpy impact testing requirements of API RP 2Z Paragraph 3.4 and the delayed cracking
testing of Paragraph 4 are not mandatory.

3) [R] Fillet welds for external attachments shall be continuous. Wind girders shall be seal welded to
the shell on their underside.
4) [R] Internal and external welds to be coated or painted shall have neither sharp edges [less than 1/16 in.
(1.6 mm) radius] nor excessive weld metal buildup [greater than 1/8 in. (3 mm)].
5) [R] Square-groove butt joints shall be permitted to a maximum plate thickness of 1/4 in. (6 mm). This
may be increased to 3/8 in. (10 mm) plate thickness if automatic welding machines are used or if one
side of the weld is back-gouged to form a groove.
6) [S] Impact tests shall be made for each weld procedure qualification test plate per API STD 650 and
when impact testing of the base metal is required per API STD 650, using the procedure of ASME
SEC IX as follows:
a) Impact tests shall be made on the weld metal and HAZ for vertical shell welds and annular plate
welds.
b) Impact tests shall be conducted at the CET.
c) Impact tests shall be made on the weld metal and HAZ of horizontal shell welds, unless the same
weld procedure is used for both vertical and horizontal welds.
d) Welds and HAZ shall meet the impact requirements of API STD 650. Impact specimens of the
weld metal and HAZ shall be taken per API STD 650.
e) For materials with minimum yield strength > 55,000 psi (379 MPa), transverse impact tests with
specimen oriented transverse to direction of welding and final plate rolling are required for the
weld metal and HAZ, in addition to the longitudinal impact tests. Impact values shall be per API
STD 650.
f) If multiple pass vertical buttwelds are made by either the electrogas or electroslag process, the
impact specimens shall be taken from the final weld pass except when the heat input (in Joules
per unit length) of the first pass exceeds the second pass by more than 25 percent. In such cases,
impact specimens from the first and final passes will be required. The HAZ specimens shall be
oriented with the base of the notch parallel to the fusion line.
7) [R] Where Table 1 of this GP requires 70 percent or 80 percent joint efficiency for the fillet welded
bottom plates, a minimum of two pass welding is required. The geometry and qualification
procedures are as follows:
a) Fillet weld geometry is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Fillet Weld Geometry
b) Using the same type of electrode (same manufacturer's designation), plate (same material and
thickness), and weld procedure as will be used for the bottom, two linear ft (600 mm) of lap weld
shall be made.

c) Three tensile test strips of 3 in. x 18 in. (75 mm x 450 mm) shall be cut from this weld. The
minimum breaking strength of the strips shall be at least 70 percent or 80 percent of the specified
or guaranteed minimum tensile strength of the unwelded plate for 70 percent and 80 percent joint
efficiency, respectively. Weld failure shall be at least 95 percent shear fracture.
d) From a separate test plate consisting of one linear foot (300 mm) of the first pass of the bottom
plate fillet weld, three cross sections of the weldment shall be taken to show the weld's
penetration into the base material. The minimum penetration at the heel shall be 1/64 in. (1/2 mm)
as shown in Figure 3, and complete fusion shall exist throughout each cross section.
8) [S] Slip-on flanges that will be subject to PWHT or operating temperatures > 250F (120C) shall be
vented with a 1/8 in. (3 mm) hole and sealed using appropriate sealing material.
17. Additional Materials and Design Requirements for Acid

Tanks
17.1. Shell
[E] [R] Shell plate thickness shall be calculated per Section 7.1 of this GP with the following
modifications:
1) Minimum corrosion allowance for unlined or uncoated tanks shall be 1/4 in. (6 mm).
2) Minimum plate thickness for unlined or uncoated tanks shall be 3/8 in. (10 mm) and for lined tanks
shall be 1/4 in. (6 mm).
17.2. Bottom
[E] [*] [R] Tank bottoms resting on foundation piers shall be designed per API STD 650, Appendix I
"Undertank Leak Detection and Subgrade Protection," except no credit may be taken for corrosion
allowance or lining (if specified).
17.3. Roof
[A] [R] Roof plate thickness shall be no less than 1/4 in. (6 mm). External rafters or beams are preferred
for roof supports. The use of internal columns, rafters, beams, or other structural members shall be
approved by the Owner's Engineer.
17.4. Accessories
1) [S] [A] [M] Cleanout sump or bottom drawoff shall not be provided unless approved by the Owner's
Engineer.
2) [S] [*] [R] Venting and gauging device parts exposed to the acid or acid atmosphere shall be made of
corrosion-resistant materials. The gauge type, vent, and overflow connections shall be as specified by
the Owner's Engineer.
3) [R] Permanently attached fittings for unlined or uncoated tanks shall have the same corrosion
allowance as the shell on all surfaces exposed to the tank contents.

17.5. Linings or Protective Coatings

1) [*] [R] Interior surfaces of sulfuric acid tanks (including underside of roof, rafters, center spider)
exposed to acid vapor shall be coated in accordance with GP 19-01-01. The coatings required for the
interior surfaces of other acid tanks will be specified by the Owner's Engineer.
2) [E] [R] External bottom surfaces of tanks on pier type (open) foundations shall be coated in
accordance with GP 19-01-01.
3) [*] [R] Linings, including acid brick linings or protective coatings for the tank shell and bottom, will
be specified by the Owner's Engineer as required.
18. Additional Materials and Design Requirements for High

Strength Steel
This Section covers additional requirements for steels having minimum specification yield strength of
43,000 psi (296 MPa) and greater.
18.1. Design
1) [R] The annular bottom plate to which the shell course is welded shall be a minimum of 3/8 in. (10
mm) thick, including corrosion allowance.
2) [R] All shell opening connections shall be attached by full-penetration welds, including attachments
to insert-type reinforcement.
18.2. Materials
1) [S] [R] For high strength tank steels, production impact test plates are required in addition to weld
procedure qualification test plates. The production impact test plates shall be made from the
applicable plates as supplied having the lowest Charpy V-notch minimum average energy for each
welding procedure qualification. Also, production impact test plates shall be made in a similar
manner for each change in one or more of the following parameters:
a) Specified Charpy Vee-notch minimum energy per API STD 650.
b) Material specification.
c) Final heat-treated condition.
d) Steel supply mill.
e) Electrode, wire nominal chemistry, make, or designation of the flux, when no American Welding
Society (AWS) Classification exists.
These impact test plates shall meet the impact test requirements for the weld procedure qualification
test plates as specified herein. In addition, for materials with minimum yield strength > 55,000 psi
(379 MPa) transverse impact tests, specimen oriented transverse to direction of welding and final
plate rolling are required for the weld metal and HAZ. Impact values shall be per API STD 650.
2) [S] [A] [R] High-strength steel materials, other than those listed in API STD 650, shall require
Company approval. Approval shall be based on the following information:

a) Complete chemical and mechanical specification limits, including steel process and heat
treatment.
b) Description of measures employed to ensure uniformity of mechanical properties and
microstructure.
c) Minimum expected Charpy V-notch impact energy of base material, weld material, and HAZ at
the minimum design temperature.
d) Welding procedures proposed, including heat treatment if any, and the resultant mechanical
properties of welded joints.
e) Methods of quality control during tank erection, such as production weld test plates, ultrasonic
inspection, and magnetic particle inspection.
f) List of other tanks fabricated of the proposed material.
3) [S] [R] Micro-alloy elements in fine-grain carbon manganese steels shall be restricted as follows:
a) Vanadium shall not exceed 0.05 percent.
b) Niobium shall not exceed 0.05 percent.
c) The combined content of Vanadium and Niobium shall not exceed 0.08 percent.
d) When these elements are used, the soluble aluminum-to-nitrogen ratio shall not be less than 2:1.
4) [S] [R] The ratio of actual yield strength to actual ultimate tensile strength shall not exceed 0.85.
18.3. Welding and Weld Inspection

1) [R] Welding procedure requalification will be required when any of the following occurs:
a) Individual weld layer thickness is greater than that used in the procedure qualification tests.
b) Electrodes not of the same size and AWS classification as that in the procedure qualification test
are used.
c) Nominal preheat and interpass temperatures are not the same as those in the procedure
qualification tests.
d) For automatic welding, the flux composition is changed or the travel speed and heat input are
changed beyond the range specified.
2) [A] [R] Steels with minimum specified yield strengths greater than 43,000 psi (296 MPa) and with
mechanical properties enhanced by heat treatment shall have a minimum of two layers of weld metal
on all scars, pickups, structural attachments, or other welds made on the plate surface. Proposals
covering tanks exposed to H2S shall be reviewed and approved by the Owner's Engineer.
3) [R] Hardness surveys across the procedure qualification welds and HAZs shall be as follows:
a) The survey instrument shall have an indentor of 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) maximum diameter.
b) Hardness shall not exceed 225 HB (238 HV10) except that peak hardness of up to 250 HB (260
HV10) is acceptable in the HAZ.
c) For steels with minimum yield strengths  50,000 psi (345 MPa), peak HAZ hardness shall not
exceed 310 HB (325 HV10).
4) [R] A hardness test shall be made on each 100 ft (30.5 m) of the shell weld seams and on main nozzle
welds and shall not exceed 225 HB (238 HV10).
5) [R] Weld inspection shall be in accordance with API STD 650 and the following requirements:

a) Horizontal Joints: One radiograph shall be performed in the first 10 ft (3 m) of each seam, plus
one for each 50 ft (15.2 m) of seam length.
b) Vertical joints: All vertical seams shall be 100 percent radiographed.
6) [R] Structural attachment welds and welds attaching the lowest shell course to the annular bottom
plates shall be examined by the magnetic particle or dye penetrant method to detect cracks and other
linear discontinuities.
7) [R] Longitudinal welds in shell and floor nozzles and manways shall be examined by radiography in
accordance with the requirements for vertical shell joints. There shall be at least one spot radiograph
for each weld.
18.4. Erection
[R] Lugs, clips, and similar items attached by welding for purposes of erection only shall be removed.
The plate in these weld areas and at other scars shall be ground smooth and examined by the magnetic
particle or dye penetrant method. Where feasible, temporary attachments shall be welded to the external
side of the plates. If this is not practical, erector shall perform a hardness check after removing the
attachments. Hardness value shall not exceed 225 HB.
19. Tolerances
[R] Dimensional tolerances shall be in accordance with API STD 650, with the following modifications:
1) Tolerance for banding shall be 3/8 in. (10 mm) maximum.
2) Tolerance for out-of-plumbness of the top of the shell relative to the bottom of the shell shall not
exceed 2 in. (50 mm).
3) [A] No single shell course shall be out-of-plumb by more than 1/200 of the course height. Plumbness
shall be measured and reported to the Owner's Engineer immediately after erection of each shell
course at intervals not to exceed one half of the shell plate width.
20. Tank Calibration

[*] If specified by the Owner's Engineer, or required by the Hydrocarbon Control Practices (HCP) or
Measurement and Analysis for Production (MAP) manual, the tank shall be calibrated in accordance with
industry standard methods by a third party skilled in performing the method.

Record of Change
Version 1.0.0 Date: 08/01
Location Action Description
Initial Publish.

Business Sector tagging added. No change to content.

Business Sector tagging added. No change to content.

Version number corrected. No change to content.

Global Practice version number and format updated to comply with new
process; however, original publish date remains, and no content was
modified.

Section 2.2 Modification Reference ASTM E 84 for flame spread index
Section 4, Modification Clarification of V content
Item 4
Section 4, Modification 3 mm corrosion allowance on annular plates
Item 8
Section 6.1, Modification Use of 1 Foot Method for tanks < 200 ft diameter
Item 3
Section 8, Modification Frangible roofs and Emergency venting
Item 3
Section 10.3, Modification Reference ASTM E 84 flame spread index
Item 4
Section 11.1, Modification Flush type nozzle design
Item 5
Section 15, Modification Single Pass Welding
Item 2


Section 8, Modification Changed reference to Figure F-1 in API STD 650 to Figure F-2.
Item 2

General Modification Added acronym table.
Revised text throughout for clarity.
Section 3 Modification Modified definition of CET and added definition of MDMT.
Section 5, Modification Clarified V content.
Item (4)
Section 11.2 Modification Clarified for the use of channel stiffeners.
Section 11.5, Modification Modified floating roofs grounding requirements.
Item (2)
Section 14.2, Addition Added external floating roof flood test information.
Item (2)
Section 15.1, Modification Modified radiographic inspection for low strength tank steels
Item (2) information.
Section 16, Addition Added slip-on flanges venting information.
Item (8)
Section 18.3, Modification Added weld inspection on vertical joints information.
Item (5b)
All Global Modifications To standardize the format of the Global Practices and to meet other
Practices requirements, the following changes have been implemented:
"For ExxonMobil Use Only" has been replaced with "For Company Use
Only."
A copyright waiver has been added in the first page Footer.
The definition of asterisks in the Scope has been deleted. The asterisk is
now defined in the Purpose Code attachment and is used within brackets
as other Purpose Codes.
Multiple paragraphs within a Section have been numbered.
The standard text for Required References has been modified.
The standard text for Additional Requirements has been modified.
The [S] Purpose Code has been modified.
The following Purpose Codes have been added:
[*] for additional information or decision required of Owner's
Engineer.
[A] for approval requirements before beginning work or finalizing
design.


General Modification Updated Purpose Codes throughout GP and reorganized references.
Section 5, Modification Revised wording to clarify requirement.
Item (2)
Section 11.2 Addition Added Equation 3 to address local buckling of partially stiffened
pontoon.
Section 11.5 Modification Deleted API RP 2003 lightning requirements and added API RP 545
requirements.
Section 20 Addition Added a section on tank calibration.

Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions

Code Description
* Assigned to paragraphs that require the Owner's Engineer to provide additional information or
make a decision.
A Assigned to paragraphs that require approval from the Owner's Engineer before the work may
proceed or the design is finalized.
C Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is reduced costs. Reduced cost in this context
refers to initial investment cost and does not include life cycle cost considerations. Life cycle
cost considerations are captured under reliability, maintainability, or operability purpose codes.
E Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is driven by environmental considerations.
Environmental considerations typically include specifications intended to protect against
emissions/leakage to the air, water, and/or soil. Deviations from the specifications contained in
such paragraphs require formal review and approval according to local environmental policy.
I Assigned to paragraphs that provide only clarifying information, such as Scope statements,
definitions of terms, etc.
M Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to provide for maintainability of equipment
or systems. Maintainability provisions are those that facilitate the performance of maintenance
on equipment/systems either during downtimes or during onstream operations.
O Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to assure operability of equipment or
systems. Operability is the ability of the equipment/system to perform satisfactorily even
though conditions are off-design, such as during start-ups, process swings, subcomponent
malfunction, etc.
R Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to improve or assure the reliability of
equipment or systems. Reliability is a measure of the ability of equipment/systems to operate
without malfunction or failure between planned maintenance interventions.
S Assigned to paragraphs containing specifications/guidance where the primary purpose is the
avoidance of incidents impacting personnel safety, process safety, and the public in general
and/or involving responses to emergency situations. Any deviation from the specifications
contained in such designated paragraphs requires formal review and approval according to
local safety policy.
Personnel Safety: Refers to the prevention of incident-related personnel injuries or illness,
e.g., burns, cuts, abrasions, inhalation of or exposure to dangerous
substances, etc., that could result in medical treatment, restricted work,
lost-time incidents, or fatalities.
Process Safety: Refers to the prevention and control of process releases, fires, and/or
explosions that could result in damage to equipment, process disruption,
or personnel injury or illness.

GP 09 04 01

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

GP 09 04 01

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

GP 09-04-01 Atmospheric Storage Tanks March 2010

Atmospheric Storage Tanks

Refining/Chemicals For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 1 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

9. Fixed Roof Design.................................................................................................15

10. Internal Floating Roof Design..............................................................................17

11. Floating Roofs........................................................................................................17

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 2 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

11.1. Roof Travel....................................................................................................17

17. Additional Materials and Design Requirements for Acid Tanks.......................30

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 3 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

20. Tank Calibration.....................................................................................................34

Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions......................................................................38

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 4 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

Figure 1: Illustration of Effective Cross Sectional Area...........................................19

Figure 2: Hydrostatic Tank Leak Test.........................................................................23

Figure 3: Bottom Internal Settlement Measurements...............................................27

Figure 4: Fillet Weld Geometry.......................................................................................29

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 5 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

Table 1: Tank Bottom Design Categories...................................................................13

Table 2: Minimum Thicknesses...................................................................................20

Table 3: Minimum Holding Time..................................................................................25

Table 4: Maximum Water Fill Rates.............................................................................25

Table 5: Number of Shell Settlements Readings, N.......................................................26

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 6 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

1.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices

1.2. API–American Petroleum Institute

1.3. ASME–American Society of Mechanical Engineers

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 7 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

2.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices

2.2. API–American Petroleum Institute

2.3. ASTM–American Society for Testing Materials

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 8 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

ASTM C 279 Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Masonry Units

2.4. CSA–Canadian Standards Association

2.5. NACE–National Association of Corrosion Engineers

2.6. NFPA–National Fire Protection Agency

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 9 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

Term [I] Description

AWS American Welding Society

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 10 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 11 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

Table 1: Tank Bottom Design Categories

1  2 in. Per API STD 650. Annular plates shall provide a

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 12 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company

Acceptable Metric Equivalent Dimensions

Standard: 2 in. 6 in. 12 in. 2 ft 3 ft 6 ft 50 ft 150 ft

7.1. Shell Plate Thickness

7.2. Vertical and Horizontal Shell Joints

7.3. Tank Stability

RFCH For Company Use Only Version 4.0.0

Page 13 of 34 ExxonMobil Development Company