BUTANE FEED TANK

OPERATING CONDITIONS

Table
n-Butane Feed Storage Tank Operating Conditions
o
Temperature C 22
o
F 71.6

Pressure bar 2.202

kPa 220.2

psig 17.25

DESIGN CONDITIONS

Table
n-Butane Feed Storage TankDesign Conditions
o
Temperature C 121.11
o
F 250

Pressure (MAWP) bar 4.46

kPa 445.968

psig 50

Pressure (minimum) bar 1.013

kPa 101.3

psig 0
Temperature o
C 15-20
(MDMT)
o
F 59-68

Notes:

 The design temperature and pressure are based in the Table. Design Temperature and Pressure
Guidelines
 The minimum pressure and minimum design metal temperature is set by the minimum ambient
conditions

TANK CAPACITY

Table
n-Butane Tank Capacity
Time capacity day 30

Number of tanks 20

Mass flow rate kg/h 25000

Volumetric flow rate m3/h 42.87

m3/month 30866.84
Turndown
m3/h 21.43
Volumetric flow rate
m3/month 15429.6
Rated Volumetric
m3/h 47.157
flow rate
m3/month 33963.04

Type of vessel Pressurized

Notes:

 According to Rules of Thumb, a 30-day capacity often is specified for raw materials and products
butdepends on connecting transportation equipment schedules.

VAPOR PRESSURE

 If TVP (true vapor pressure) of the chemical is greater than 90 𝑘𝑃𝑎, then use a pressure vessel
for the storage tank, otherwise use an atmospheric vessel for the storage tank.
 Using Table 2-8 in Perry’s Handbook, Vapor pressure of Butane at 22 °C (295.15 K) is calculated;

C2 C
lnP=C 1+ +C3 lnT +C 4 T ( P∈Pa ,T ∈K )
5

T
4363.2
ln P=66.343− −7.046 ln ⁡(295.15)+ 9.4509 x 10−6 (295.15)2
295.15

221.75 kPa> 90 kPa

  PRESSURIZED VESSEL

NORMAL VOLUMETRIC FLOW RATE

kg m3 m3
Normal Volumetric Flow Rate= 25000 ( )÷
hr 583.2 kg
=42.87
hr
TURNDOWN VOLUMETRIC FLOW RATE
m3 ( ) m3
TurndownVolumetric Flow Rate= 42.87 ( hr )
0.5 =21.435
hr
RATED VOLUMETRIC FLOW RATE
m3 ( ) m3
Rated Volumetric Flow Rate= 42.87 ( hr )
1.1 =47.157
hr

Table
n-Butane Vessel Specifications(Pressurized vessel)
Specifications
Construction
Carbon Steel
Material
Vertical
Geometry
Cylindrical
Foundations Concrete
Torispherical
Head of the tank
(flanged and dished)
Bottom Support Skirt

Inside Diamater m 2.99

Length m 8.97

Corrossion Allowance mm 1

Joint Efficiency (E) 0 .85

Maximum Allowable
psi 14.8775
Stress
Minimum Wall
mm 3.78
Thickness (1)
Minimum Wall
mm 1.89
Thickness (2)
Minimum Wall
mm 4.78
Thickness to be used
Outside Diameter m 3
 Notes:
 Since the volume of the liquid calculated is beyond 38 m3 or 10,000 gals, vertical tanks
will be used on concrete foundations. (Stephen 2018)
 According to ASME BPV, the cylindrical geometry of a vessel is much preferred hence a
cylindrical vessel is used.
 According to Stephen 2018, Torispherical heads are commonly used for pressure vessels
 The joint efficiency, E, is typically 0.85. Towler & Sinnott (2008)

TOTAL VOLUME OF TANK

 The process objective is 30 days’ cover at maximum feed rate.
 Allowing 10% vapour space inside the tank, the total volume of the tank, Vv, should be V
divided by 0.90.
Rated V per month 33953.04 m3
V v= = =37725.6
1−Void 1−0.1 month
ESTIMATED NUMBE OF TANKS: 600
37725.6 m3
V v= =62.88
600 month

INTERNAL DIAMETER

π D2
V v= ( )
4
(3 D)

m3 3 π D3
62.88 =
month 4

D=2.99m

HEIGHT

 Height-to-diameter ratio should be less than 20 to 30. The optimum L/D or ratio is 3.
(Stephen 2018).
 Assume height to diameter ratio is 3.

L=3 ( 2.99 m )=8.97 m

CORROSION ALLOWANCE

N-butane and is used as a propellant in aerosol products, as they are naturally odorless,
non-corrosive and non-toxic. Therefore, the maximum corrosion allowance is 0 mm.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE STRESS

Figure. Typical Maximum Allowable Stresses for Plates under ASME BPV Code Sec. VIII D.1
(The Appropriate Material Standards should be Consulted for Particular Grades and Plate
Thicknesses)

Towler & Sinnott (2008): Chemical Engineering Design and Principle

  Using the regression, the maximum allowable stress (S) for CARBON STEEL at 298.15K is
14.8775 ksi or 148775 psi.

JOINT EFFICIENCY

 The joint efficiency, E, is typically 0.85. (Stephen 2018)

WALL THICKNESS OF THE TANK

 As stated in Towler& Sinnott (2008), to calculate for the minimum wall thickness (tmin)
for cylindrical vessels, the equation specified by the ASME BPV Code (Sec VIII D.1 Part
UG-27) and thick-walled vessels were used (which is higher):
Pi D i Pi D i
t min ( 1 )= ∧t min ( 2 )= =¿
2 SE−1.2 Pi 4E-0.8 Pi
Where: Pi = internal pressure
Di = internal diameter

S = maximum allowable stress

E = joint efficiency

tmin = higher value of tmin + Corrosion Allowance

(31.95 psi)(2.99 m)
t min ( 1 )= =3.78 mm
2 ( 14877.5 psi∗0.85 )−1.2 ( 35.09 psi )
(31.95 psi)(2.99 m)
t min ( 2 )= =1.89 mm
4 (14877.5 psi∗0.85 )+ 0.8 (35.09 psi )
∴ tmin=4.78 mm

OUSTIDE DIAMETER

D outside = D inside +2t min

D outside =2.99 m+2(0.00378 m)

D outside =3 m