Calculation

Volume

of

Tank

A tank may be a single geometrical element, such as a

cylinder, a sphere, or an ellipsoid. It may also have a
compound form, such as a cylinder with hemispherical
ends or a combination of a toroid and a sphere. To
determine the volume, each geometrical element usually
must be calculated separately. Calculations for a full tank
are usually simple, but calculations for partially filled
tanks may be complicated.

To calculate the volume of a partially filled

horizontal cylinder refer to Fig. 10-183.
Calculate the angle a in degrees. Any units of
length can be used, but they must be the same
for H, R, and L. The liquid volume

This formula may be used for any depth

of liquid between zero and the full tank,
provided the algebraic signs are
observed. If H is greater than R, sin a
cos a will be negative and thus will add
numerically to a/57.30. Table 10-64
gives liquid volume, for a partially filled
horizontal cylinder, as a fraction of the
total volume, for the dimensionless ratio
H/D or H/2R.

Perrys 8th
edition:
Table 10-59

The volumes of heads must be calculated separately and

added to the volume of the cylindrical portion of the tank. The
four types of heads most frequently used are the standard
dished head,* torispherical or ASME head, ellipsoidal head,
and hemispherical head. Dimensions and volumes for all four
of these types are given in Lukens Spun Heads, Lukens Inc.,
Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Approximate volumes can also be
calculated by the formulas in Table 10-65. Consistent units
must be used in these formulas. (8th ed: Table 10-60)

A partially filled horizontal tank requires the determination of the

partial volume of the heads. The Lukens catalog gives approximate
volumes for partially filled (axis horizontal) standard ASME and
ellipsoidal heads. A formula for partially filled heads, by Doolittle
[Ind. Eng. Chem., 21, 322323 (1928)], is

where in consistent units V = volume, R = radius, and H = depth of

liquid.

Doolittle made some simplifying

assumptions which affect the
volume given by the equation,
but the equation is satisfactory
for determining the volume as a
fraction of the entire head. This
fraction, calculated by Doolittles
formula, is given in Table 10-66
as a function of H/Di (H is the
depth of liquid, and Di is the
inside diameter). Table 10-66
can be used for standard
dished, torispherical, ellipsoidal,
and hemispherical heads with
an error of less than 2 percent of
the volume of the entire head.
The error is zero when H/Di = 0,
0.5, and 1.0. Table 10-66 cannot
be used for conical heads.

Perrys 8th ed: Tabe 10-61

When a tank volume cannot be calculated or when

greater precision is required, calibration may be
necessary. This is done by draining (or filling)
the tank and measuring the volume of liquid. The
measurement may be made by weighing, by a
calibrated fluid meter, or by repeatedly filling small
measuring tanks which have been calibrated by
weight.

Rivera, Lourelane H.
ChE - 4101

Pressure Vessels

A pressure vessel is a closed container designed to hold

gases or liquids at a pressure substantially different from
the ambient pressure.
a vessel in which the pressure is obtained from an
indirect source or by the application of heat from an
indirect source or a direct source
The vessel proper terminates at:
(a) the first circumferential joint for welded end
connections;
(b) the face of the first flange in bolted flange
connections; or
(c) the first threaded joint in threaded connections.

Green & Perry:

Is a closed container of limited length (in contrast

to the indefinite length of piping)
Its smallest dimension is considerably larger than
the connecting piping, and it is subject to
pressures above 7 or 14 kPa (1 or 2 lbf/in2)
it is distinguished from a boiler, which in most
cases is used to generate steam for use external
to itself.

In the USA, storage tanks operate under no (or

very little) pressure, distinguishing them
from pressure vessels. ( Wikipedia )

Pressure vessels include but are not limited to

compressed gas storage tanks (i.e., air, oxygen,
nitrogen tanks, etc.), anhydrous ammonia tanks,
hydro pneumatic tanks, autoclaves, hot water
storage tanks, chemical reactors and refrigerant
vessels, designed for a pressure greater than
15 psi and a volume greater than 5 cubic feet in
volume or one and one-half cubic feet in volume
with a pressure greater than 600 psi.

FIGURE IV:3-1. SOME MAJOR PARTS

OF A PRESSURE VESSEL

Bolted Flanged Joints

Flanged joints are used for connecting pipes and instruments

to vessels, for manhole covers, and for removable vessel

heads when ease of access is required.
Flanges may also be used on the vessel body, when it is
necessary to divide the vessel into sections for transport or
maintenance.
Flanged joints are also used to connect pipes to other
equipment, such as pumps and valves.
Screwed joints are often used for small diameter pipe
connections, below 40 mm. Flanged joints are also used for
connecting pipe sections where ease of assembly and
dismantling is required for maintenance, but pipework will
normally be welded to reduce costs.

WELDED-JOINT DESIGN
Process vessels are built up from preformed parts,
cylinders, heads, and fittings, joined by fusion
welding. Riveted construction was used extensively
in the past (prior to the 1940s) but is now rarely
seen except on very old plants.
Cylindrical sections are usually made up from plate
sections rolled to the required curvature. The
sections (strakes) are made as large as is
practicable to reduce the number of welds required.
The longitudinal welded seams are offset to avoid a
conjunction of welds at the corners of the plates.

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) CODE

Division 1: Contains general rules and is most

commonly followed, particularly for low pressure
vessels.
Division 2: Contains alternative rules that are more
restrictive on materials, design, temperatures,
design
details,
fabrication
methods,
and
inspection, but allow higher design stresses and
hence thinner vessel walls. Division 2 rules are
usually chosen for large, high-pressure vessels
where the savings in metal cost and fabrication
complexity offsets the higher engineering and
construction costs.

Division 3: Contains alternative rules

intended for vessels with design pressures
greater than 10,000 psig. It does not
establish a maximum pressure for vessels
designed in accordance with Division 1 or
Division 2, but provides alternative rules
that can be followed for thicker-walled
vessels.

THANK YOU!