Storage Tanks

Selection and Sizing

CBE 497
1 Oct 02
richardhaw@sympatico.ca
 Dow Chemical - LOPC
LOPC stands for Loss of Primary Containment.
Considerable effort goes into preventing loss of
product from storage tanks and vessels.
LOPC generally leads to fires and explosions with
loss of life and loss of investment.
LOC at Phillips in Houston in Oct 89 killed 23,
injured 130 and cost over $750 million.
LOC at Union Carbides plant in Bhopal, India killed
over 4000 people and cost UC well over $500 million.
This is why LOPC is so important.
 Larg e Ch e mical Co mp an y Re sp onse To Bho pal Dire ctiv e

Job 1 Fire and H AZOP

and
Phase
I to 4 Chem ical
Exposure
Expos ure Process

at Dow Calculations
F&E
PHA
Reviews
Engineering
R eviews
Index
Calc'ns

Flow Safety &

D ispersion Loss
Cons equence Prevention
QRA Review s

Loss Of D .O.T
MOE Containm ent Em ergency
Reviews Bhopal Transport
D irective Scenarios

PSV
Technical D esign Basis
Center And
Review s Alternatives

Vessel
Materials Pre- Reactive
Inspection
Specialty Startup C hem ical
Yearly
Review s Audit R eviews
Review s
 NIOSH Data
NIOSH stands for National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.
Lookup your chemical on the NIOSH
Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npg.html
As soon as you know you have a
certain chemical, extract the following
NIOSH data:
 NIOSH Exposure Limits
Ca. Any substance that NIOSH considers to
be an occupational carcinogen is designated
by the notation Ca.
REL Recommended Exposure Limit based
on a 10 hour workday during a 40 hour work
week.
A ceiling REL is designated by a C
preceding the value. The ceiling value should
not be exceeded at any time.
 NIOSH STEL
Short term exposure limit (STEL) is a 15
minute time weighted average (TWA)
exposure limit that should not be
exceeded at any time during a workday.
 NIOSH Gives OSHA Limits
NIOSH also presents Occupational
Safety and Health Act data (OSHA).
OSHA uses PEL for permissible
exposure limits.
 NIOSH Gives ACGIH Limits
The American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygiene
(ACGIH).
ACGIH uses Threshold Limit Values
(TLV) which are 8 hour TWA
concentrations
ACGIH A1 is a confirmed carcinogen.
ACGIH A2 is a suspected carcinogen.
ST is a 15 minute TWA value for a
STEL.
 NIOSH IDLH
IDLH stands for Immediately dangerous
to life and health.
IDLH represents the maximum
concentration from which, in the case
of respirator failure, one could escape
within 30 minutes without a respirator
and without experiencing any escape-
impairing or irreversible effects.
 NIOSH Flammability
LEL = Lower Explosive Limit aka LFL
for Lower Flammable Limit in vol% in
air at room temperature.
UEL = Upper Explosive Limit aka UFL
for Upper flammable Limit in vol% in air
at room temperature.
Flash Point (Fl.P.) using either closed
cup (cc) or open cup (op) methods.
 NIOSH Other Important Data
NIOSH gives the Auto Ignition
Temperature (AIT), if it is known.
Boiling Point (BP) at 1 atmosphere.
Freezing Point (FRZ) temperature.
Solubility in water (sol) as % by weight.
Specific gravity (Sp. Gr.).
 NIOSH Incompatibilities
NIOSH give the important hazardous
incompatibilities or reactivities of each
substance.
This is where I would look for
polymerization potential and the need
to take special preventative action
should a polymerization reaction start
to generate high heat of reaction.
 OSHA Classification of
Flammables
Class 1A flammable liquid. Fl.P. below
73F and BP below 100F.
Class 1B flammable liquid. Fl.P. below
73F and BP above 100F.
Class 1C flammable liquid. Fl.P. at or
above 73F and below 100F.
 MSDS Information
MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets.
A repeat of NIOSH data.
Most large companies publish their MSDS on
the internet.
Often six different MSDS sets of one
chemical are compared and a consensus is
taken to resolve differences in toxic and
flammability data particularly auto ignition.
(NH3 as an example).
 Vapor Pressure Data
Generate your own Antoine Constants over
your temperature range including summer to
winter ambient temperatures.
The typical Antoine equation is:
Log10(P) = A + B/(t+C) where P is
in psia, t is in deg C and A,B,C are the
Antoine Constants.
3 sets of (P,t) data required to solve for A,B,C
in 3 equations.
 Antoine Constants for EO
Solve for Antoine Constants For Ethylene Oxide EO MW = 44
C2H4O

Log10(P) = A + B/(t+C) P in psia and t in C

Basis Dow Phys Prop File & Perry 6, p3-56

F
P1 = 11.497 psia t1 = 4.44 C 40
P2 = 32.335 psia t2 = 32.22 C 90
P3 = 75.009 psia t3 = 60.00 C 140

C= 238.2665 Perturb Till Diff = near Zero

B= -1061.38464 From P1 and P2
B= -1061.38467 From P1 and P3
Diff = 3.6287E-05

A = 5.43362455 LEL =
B = -1061.38467 Atm Press = 14.696
C= 238.2665 psia
Vapor Pressure Plot for EO
Vapor Pressure of EO
Vapor pressure, PSIA

80.00
70.00
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00
Temperature, C
 Vapor Pressure Info
Look to see where VP is at lowest ambient
temperature.
If the VP is below atmospheric pressure of
14.7 psia, and if the chemical is a flammable
chemical, air will leak into the vessel creating
an extremely hazardous situation.
Static electricity created by falling liquid into
the vessel can set off an explosion.
Pad Depad with an Inert gas
To prevent air from leaking into a flammable
vessel under sub atmospheric pressure, add
nitrogen as a pad gas to maintain the
pressure above 14.7 psia.
As the vessel requires venting during filling,
de-pad the inert gas & hydrocarbon to a flare
or to a recovery system.
As an alternative, heat the tank to bring the
vapor pressure above 14.7 psia.
Pad Depad Sketch
The Enthalpy Chart
 The Enthalpy Chart Contd
It provides a roadmap for your process.
Try to find an enthalpy chart for your
single component chemicals.
If one is not available, you can
construct your own from HYSIS.
The enthalpy chart tells you about the
need for pre-heaters, vaporizers, super-
heaters, knock-out pots, pumps,
compressors.
 MIACC or RMP?
Check to see if your chemical is listed
on the Major Industrial Accident
Coordinating Committee List.
Check to see if your chemical is listed
on the U.S. Risk Management Plan List.
These lists tell you whether or not you
need to take toxic or flammable
preventative measures in your design.
 U.S. RMP
The U.S. RMP method is now favored in
Canada over the CDN MIACC method.
If your chemical is on the list and if your
quantity exceeds the specified threshold
quantity, you must run the RMP program to
determine the environmental impact on the
public and file the results with the EPA.
The EPA will approve your plant design if you
have developed a suitable emergency
response plan with the public.
 RMP Computer Program
RMP Worst Case Scenario tells you the impact
distance from your storage tank to the public for
either a toxic or flammable chemical.
Free download at
http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/tools/rmp-comp/rmp-
comp.html
Download it on to your hard disc.
Its very simple to use.
If you dont know your storage quantity yet, run the
threshold quantity to see how big a problem you
may have. You may decide to store less.
 Design Tools Needed
The Ideal Gas Law, P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2
Daltons law of Additive Pressure.
Dew Point calculation.
Bubble Point calculation.
Flash % calculation.
Equation of state PV = (Z)(n)(R)(T)
The Antoine Vapor Pressure equation.
 API Storage Tanks
API Low pressure storage, DP < 15 psig
Pressure Vessels, DP>15 psig
High pressure where DP > 15 psig.
 Codes for API Tanks
API-12B bolted tanks
API-12D field welded tanks
API-12F shop welded tanks
API-620 large welded, low pressure
tanks
API-650 welded steel tanks for oil
storage.
 Codes for Pressure Vessels
ASME VIII - Pressure Vessel Code
B51-M1981 Canadian Standards
Association Code for the
Construction and Inspection of Boilers
and Pressure Vessels.
 Codes for Piping
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)
B31.1 Power Piping
B31.2 - Fuel Gas Piping
B31.3 - Chem Plant & pet Plant Piping.
B31.4 Liquid petroleum Transportation
Piping
B31.4 1974 Refrigeration Piping
B31.8 gas Transmission Piping
 Fire Protection
National Fire protection Association (NFPA)
No. 30 Flammable & Combustible Liquids
Code
No. 58 Liquified Petroleum Gases, Stg &
Hdlg.
No. 59 Liquified Petroleum Gases at Utility
Gas Plants.
PSV Design NFPA 30
PSV Design API-520 & API-521
 Drainage
NFPA 30 - 2-3.3 Control Of Spillage From
Aboveground Tanks (see PSV Size & Cost
V3.7)
 Dyking
Dyke Dimensions on CD-ROM

Dyke L = 61.38
58.73
2.65
S Dia S
18.87 21 18.87
Ht = 21
2.11
above grade, h H Ab Hole = 9.89
18.89 Hole Ht, h = 9.00
18.89

slope S S = 18.87
EO Storage
UC MIC Storage Area
 Sizing API Tanks
Need Liquid Density, lb/cf
Need a Soil Bearing reading in lb/sf.
Maximum allowable Ht of liquid = HL
Max HL = lb/sf / lb/cf = ft. of liquid
Need storage time in hours, days or weeks.
Need average flow rate, cu. Ft / hr
Volume = (cu. Ft. / hr )(hours).
Never fill more than 90%.
Diameter, D = [ cu. Ft. / .785 / HL ]^0.5
 Selection of API Tanks
API 650 Tanks on CD-ROM.
Select tanks from large data base that
meet volume and maximum height
limits.
Select options
Length of pipe rack
Painting
Insulation thickness
Dyke type concrete or earthen
Year for escalation of cost in database.
 Calculate Heat Loss
Heat Loss From Vessels on CD-ROM
May have to add re-circulating pumps
and heat exchangers.
Basic goal is to save energy at
DCFRRAT of 20% or better.
 Determine Breathing Losses
Storage Tank Venting folder on CD-
ROM
Read Design Methods for Storage Tank
Venting.
BLOSS program on CR-ROM for
breathing losses due to ambient
temperature changes and pump in /
pump out changes.
Make changes in process to lower
losses.
 Sizing Pressure Vessels
Pressure Vessels V1.5 on CD-ROM
Need volume, cf, by (lb/hr)(hrs) / (lb/cf)
Use a safety factor of 40%.
Select diameter, D, and length, L, so
that L/D = 4 to 5 or thereabouts.
Select Design Pressure, DP, and Design
Temperature, DT, to safely cover all
upset conditions.
 Sizing PV Contd
Select Corrosion Allowance ca,
usually 1/16 inch for inside.
May have to allow 1/16 inch for outside
corrosive atmospheres near Cl2
plant.
Select materials from data base.
Select Joint Efficiency, E, = 0.85 or 1.0
Select flange rating = 150 lb, 300 lb or ?
 Flange Data
PRESSURE - TEMPERATURE RATINGS FOR STEEL PIPE FLANGES AND FLANGED FITTINGS
American National Standard ANSI B16.5 - 1977

Class 150 lb 300 lb 400 lb 600 lb 900 lb 1500 lb 2500 lb

Hydro TP, psig 450 1125 1500 2225 3350 5575 9275
Temp, Deg F MAXIMUM ALLAOWABLE NON-SHOCK PRESSURE, PSIG
-20 TO 100 285 740 990 1480 2220 3705 6170
200 260 675 900 1350 2025 3375 5625
300 230 655 875 1315 1970 3280 5470
400 200 635 845 1270 1900 3170 5280
500 170 600 800 1200 1795 2995 4990
600 140 550 730 1095 1640 2735 4560
650 125 535 715 1075 1610 2685 4475
700 110 535 710 1065 1600 2665 4440
750 95 505 670 1010 1510 2520 4200
800 80 410 550 825 1235 2060 3430
850 65 270 355 535 805 1340 2230
900 50 170 230 345 515 860 1430
950 35 105 140 205 310 515 860
1000 20 50 70 105 155 260 430
 Sizing Contd
Cylindrical Shell thickness = t where
t = (P)(R) / [(S)(E) - (0.6)(P)]
P = Design Pressure, psig, aka MAWP
for Maximum allowable Working
pressure.
R = Vessel radius, inches
S = Stress value of material, lb/sq. inch
E = Joint Efficiency = 0.85 or 1.0
P = (S)(E)(t) / [R + (0.6)(t)]
 Sizing Cond
2:1 Ellipsoidal head
t = (P)(D) / [(2)(S)(E) - (0.2)(P)]
Final tf = [t + ca] rounded to next
thickness
P = (2)(S)(E)(tf) / [(D) + (0.2)(tf)] where P
is now the back-calculated Design
Pressure
Units same as above.
 Final Design Conditions
Design thickness is selected on the
basis of the maximum of:
Longitudinal seam of cylindrical shell
Head type ellipsoidal or ASME
Flange rating
 Mechanical Results & Cost
PRESSURE VESSEL COST ESTIMATE
Tag No. Example - Richardson's
Case No. Case 2
Type VKO w Demister
Time Period 4th Qrt 94 Year = 1988 75 - 04
Fab Eqt Index, FEI 361.31
CND$/US$ 1.00
Duty US>CAN 1.00
Vessel ID, ft 4.50 54.00 inches
Tan-Tan, L, ft 11.00 132.00 inches
Operating Temp = 130.00 F
Operating Pressure = 95.00 psig
Design PSIG 130.00 Flange Rating = 150 lb
Design Temp, F 200.00 Flange Press = 258 psig
Back Calc DP, psig 143.87 Flange Mess = 150 lb Flgs O.K.
2:1 SE Head bc DP = 144.53
Corr Allow, in 0 -19.83 Good for full vacuum
Efficiency 1.00 psig at thk = 0.2500 inches
Radiographing 100% X-ray
Mat'l Option 304 SS Cyl Sur Area = 187.32 sf
Mat'l factor = 2.50 Cyl Vol = 174.95 cf
Allow Stress, psi= 15,624 Cyl Vol = 4,954 Litres
Density, lb/ci = 0.28702 BLEVE Time = 7.24 minutes
 Results Contd
Tp rounded, in. = 0.25000
Twind, in. = 0.00584
Tgirth, in. = 0.11214
Tb = Tw+Tg = 0.11798
Tb rounded, in. = 0.18750
Tb final, in. = 0.25000
Top Thk+CA, in. 0.25000 Min. Thk = 0.18750
Btm Thk+CA, in. 0.25000
Avg thk top to btm 0.25000 Special Cost Est'd Cost
Wt Shell, lb = 2,140 Factor Range
Cs Max, FOB Vendor $34,550 1.00 $34,550
Cs, Avg, FOB Vendor= $31,444 1.00 $31,444
Cs Min., FOB Vendor $28,337 1.00 $28,337
Internals Cost $1,044 Shop Installed Demister
Total Est'd Cost $32,487
Act Cost FOB Vendor $0 1.0000
Actual Freight $0
Actual Cost = $0
 Other Storage Tank Issues
Cold Insulation to prevent dew point
forming on external surfaces.
Complete Hazard Analysis.
Mini- Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA).
Spheres
Floating Roof API tanks.
Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) design.
 End of Presentation
Good luck with your storage tank
designs.
Any questions?
If you have questions later, email me at
richardhaw@sympatico.ca