Storage Systems

CHE 141
Course Objectives

 Identify the different types of storage systems

and its application in chemical industry;
 Apply the design criteria and sizing rules of
thumb for tanks and pressure vessels.
 Identify the required facilities and auxiliaries in
designing a storage facility.
Types of Storage Systems

1. Atmospheric Storage (Tanks)

 Used for materials having a maximum true vapor
pressure of 90 kPaa for a tank at sea level.
 Typically governed by API standard

2. Pressure Storage (Vessels)

 Used for materials having a higher true vapor
pressure than that which is permissible for
atmospheric storage.
 Typically governed by ASME standard
Atmospheric Storage

Perry, et. al. 1997.

Fixed Roof (Cone or Dome roof type)
 roof can be designed to be self-supporting or supported by
columns for larger diameters
 require vents to prevent pressure changes due to changes in
temperature (in-breathing/out-breathing) or pump-in/pump-out.
 for low vapor pressure or high flash stocks

Floating Roof
 no vapor space = no/minimal vapor loss
 with seal between the roof and the shell
 for high vapor pressure stocks
Atmospheric Storages

http://www.qualitytankinc.com
Atmospheric Storages

http://www.china-ogpe.com
Atmospheric Storage

Factors which affect the capacity of storage tanks:

1. Minimum static inventory in a storage tank (innage) for pumping

considerations (NPSHr).
2. Safety margin to prevent spillover during filling (outage).
3. Required surge volume (for higher flow of feed).
4. Required hold-up volume (for interruption of feed).
Page 10-139, Perry’s 7th ed.
Atmospheric Storage

Sizing Considerations for Tanks:

1. Cost per unit of storage volume decreases with increasing tank

capacity.
2. Number of tanks depends on the desired operational flexibility.
3. Maximum tank height is dependent on structural design (i.e. shell
thickness), soil bearing capacity and local standards.
4. For floating roof tank: H/D ≤ 1.0 to permit roof access
5. Heights are based on dimension of standard shell plates (e.g.
increments of 2.4 meters)
6. Containment dike should be provided for hazardous materials (e.g.
fuel oil, caustic, etc.)
7. Tank heating system (using steam coils or electric tracing) should
be provided for viscous stocks.
8. Tank mixers (on top of small tanks or on the side of large tanks)
should be provided if the inventory should be maintained
homogeneous. Pump recirculation line is an alternative for
agitators/mixers.
Pressure Vessels
In most countries, it is a legal requirement that pressure vessels must be
designed, constructed and tested in accordance with part or all of the
design code.

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME BPV Code)

Division 1: Contains general rules and is most commonly followed
particularly for low-pressure vessels.
Division 2: Alternative rules usually chosen for large, high-pressure
vessels where the savings in metal cost and fabrication complexity offset
the higher engineering and construction costs.
Division 3: Contains alternative rules for vessels with design pressures
greater than 10,000 psig.

ASME BPV Code Sec. VIII Div. 1

 Vessels with internal pressure greater than 100 kPa or lower than 20
MPa.
Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”
Pressure Vessels

http://www.jamisonproducts.com http://www.paresa.it
Pressure Vessels
Maximum Allowable Stress (Nominal Design Strength)
At temperatures where creep and stress rupture do not govern the
selection of stresses, the maximum allowable stress is the lowest of:
a. The specified minimum tensile strength at room temperature divided
by 3.5.
b. The tensile strength at design temperature divided by 3.5.
c. The specified minimum yield strength at room temperature divided by
1.5.
d. The yield strength at design temperature divided by 1.5.

Tensile strength – the maximum stress that a material can withstand

while being stretched or pulled before failing or breaking

Yield strength – the stress at which a material begins to deform

plastically and non-reversibly.
Pressure Vessels

Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”

Pressure Vessels
Welded Joint Efficiency and Construction Categories
 The strength of a weld joint will depend on the type of joint and the
quality of welding. Typical = 0.85.
 Quality is checked by visual inspection and by nondestructive testing
(e.g. radiography).

Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”

Pressure Vessels

Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”

Pressure Vessels
Minimum Practical Wall Thickness
 required thickness to ensure that any vessel is sufficiently rigid to
withstand its own weight.

Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”

Pressure Vessels

For cylindrical vessels: (whichever is higher from equation 1 and 2):

For spherical vessels:

Pressure Vessels

Heads and Closures

Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”

Pressure Vessels

Heads and Closures

2:1 ellipsoidal
(common in chemical
industry)

Towler, et. al. 2008. “Chemical Engineering Design”

Pressure Vessels

Bottom Support

legs skirt lugs

Duty of Chemical Engineer: Specify the maximum fluid density.

Pressure Vessels

Bottom Support

saddles

Duty of Chemical Engineer: Specify the maximum fluid density

(which will result to maximum load).
Auxiliaries of Storage Systems
Instrument Connections
- HLL, NLL and LLL

Nozzles
- Vents
- Drains
- Utility Connections

Vortex Breakers

Manways (24” typ.) or

Handholes

Liquid distributor and spargers

(as required)

Insulation and heat tracing (as

required)
- Personnel protection (60
degC surface temp max.)
Responsibility of a Chemical Engineer

Avoid this scenario by properly specifying a

storage system!