Considerations for the

Engineering and Design of

Aboveground Storage Tanks
Richard B. Garrett, PE
March 2, 2011
Issues covered in this Presentation:
Considerations for determining size of tank
desired.
Owner’s perspective of what information
should be conveyed to tank design team.
Comparison of Geodesic Dome vs. Cone Roof
tanks.
Issues to consider per NFPA 30.
Miscellaneous Safety considerations.
Maintenance considerations.
Options for foundation design.
Check Requirements – State Web Page
1. Establish product,
whether or not Internal
Floating Roof will be used
and type / dimensions of
IFR

2. Determine Desired
Working Volume:
Daily Throughput x
(Resupply Interval +
Safety Factor)

10,000 bbl/day, 7 day

resupply, 3 day safety
stock

Minimum Working
Volume = 100,000 bbl
Highest impact to available capacity is Internal
Floating Roof
Overfill or Damage level
(Approx. 3’ from top of
tank)
High – High Alarm

High Level Alarm

Normal Fill
Distance between levels is
based on maximum fill rate x
response time (usually 5
minutes or 6” minimum)
Bottom of tank minimum
level depends on floating
suction geometry to keep
liquid from falling below roof
for emissions. Normally set
around 3’ - 4’.
Expect to lose about 7’ – 8’
total height from volume with
IFR.
Usable tank volume estimation
Tank Height 56 ft
Internal
Floating Roof 24 " Volumes for various tank diameters
Secondary Seal 15 "
Damage / Shell Volume at Working
overfill from Tank Volume Normal Fill Tank Heel Volume
top of tank 42 " (using 3" safety factor) 52.5 ft Diameter (BBL) (BBL) (BBL) (BBL)
High - High 6 " 52.0 ft 70 35,983 34,955 2,399 32,556
High Level 6 " 51.5 ft 80 46,998 45,655 3,133 42,522
Normal Fill 6 " 51.0 ft 90 59,482 57,782 3,965 53,817
Floating Roof at 100 73,434 71,336 4,896 66,441
low legs (Min) 42 " 3.5 ft 110 88,856 86,317 5,924 80,393
Working height 47.5 ft 120 105,746 102,724 7,050 95,675
125 114,741 111,463 7,649 103,814
 Tank Design Data Bottom Design Data
Code: API 650 Material Specification: A36
Inside Diameter: 125'-0" Welding: Lap Welded
Height: 56'-0" Corrosion Allowance: 1/16"
Nominal Capacity: 114,741 BBL Slope: 1" in 10'-0" Shovel Bottom
Maximum Capacity: 111,463 BBL
Net Work Capacity: 103,814 Annular Plate Data
Product: Gasoline Material Specification: A36
Product Specific Gravity: 0.74 Welding: Double Butt Welded
Design Specific Gravity: 1.0 Corrosion Allowance: 1/16"
Design Liquid Level: 51'-0"
Internal Pressure: Atmospheric Fixed Roof Data
External Pressure: Atmospheric Type: Two-Bay Rater Supported Cone
Maximum Design Temperature: 200° F Material Specification: A36
Maximum Operating Temperature: 200° F Welding: Lap Welded
Design Metal Temperature: 58° F Uniform Live Load: 20 PSF
Wind Code: API 650, 11th Ed. Additional Dead Load: None
Wind Speed: 150 MPH Plate corrosion Allowance: None
Wind Check: As-Built Struc Corrosion Allowance: None
Wind Importance Factor: 1.0 Slope: 3/4" in 12"
Earthquake Code: API 650, 11th Ed. Roof Insulation Thickness: None
Earthquake Zone:
Site Coeffi cient: Site Class D Floating Roof Data
Earthquake Importance Factor: 1.0 Type: Internal Reverse Slope
Tank Fill Rate: 6,500 BBL/Hr Outer Rim Corrosion Allowance: None
Tank Suction Rate: 5640 gpm Deck Corrosion Allowance: None
Shell Insulation Thickness: None
External Roof
Cone Roof vs. Geodesic Dome Roof
 Design Considerations – perimeter railing vs. perimeter
wind girder designed for access to inspection ports.
 Maintenance of coating, vs. panel seams
 Overall Cost Comparison

Overall Height – no real limitations, guided mainly by:

 Local codes, zoning restrictions on height limitations
 Consider available water pressure height to fight fires
 Aesthetics compared with other tanks
 Managing tank alignment if more than one live at same time
 Consider Operators – if over 60’, may need intermediate
landing
 Geodesic Dome vs. Cone Roof

48’ Geodome with perimeter walk/girder

56’ High Cone with perimeter railing
Net Positive Suction Head Required
NPSHR – compare greater of NPSHR, tank
outlet, floating suction, bottom of tank roof to
determine minimum tank level.
Remember to take into account all losses
from the point of suction to the pump inlet.
This is especially critical if using a floating
suction for product quality. Depending on the
geometry of the swivel, you could experience
more loss through that one item than the
whole length of piping.
Random Design / Safety Issues
 Emissions options – even though IFR may not be required for
Distillate (Jet, Diesel, Kerosene), including this control measure will
reduce calculated emissions and may keep you from needing a Title
5 permit.
 Tank stairs are laid out for convenience, usually along the normal
operator walk path. However, from a safety standpoint, tank stairs
or walkways providing tank top access should not cross tank valves.
 As indicated in previous presentations, incorporating a corrosion
allowance for bottom and shell, especially if prior experience shows
potential areas of corrosion in similar service tanks, can pay big
dividends down the road.
 Tank Anchoring may be required for not only earthquake areas, but
also due to high wind (hurricanes), especially with diameter to
height ratio less than 1.5.
 For product quality and to facilitate removal of water, consider
using single sloped bottom with deep sump.
Fire Protection - NFPA
 Fire Protection – As mentioned in previous presentations, NFPA
sets minimum requirements that local AHJ can increase at their
discretion. For example, Section 22.8.2 states that “…floating roof
tanks containing any liquid shall not require protection when
installed in accordance with this chapter.” However some local
departments still require foam protection for these type of tanks.
 Note – Requirements of Chapter 22 either require remote
impoundment, intermediate diking, or other engineered option.
 Spacing is essentially 1/6 sum of diameters of adjoining tanks, up
to 150’ diameter. Larger diameter may require increase to 1/4 sum
of diameters.
 If required, you might want to consider the use of underground
HDPE for transmission lines. Alternative usually requires
application of sprinkler code, which requires supports at 15’ on
center, designed to support 5 x the weight of the lines plus 150 lbs.
Coatings
 Many municipalities now require blast media to be collected
and properly disposed of. On site, this can be difficult and
costly. One option would be to have shell plate primed before
shipping and installation.
 Bottom is likely to contact with water, consider good thin film
coating to extend life.
 Depending on product service, may want to coat inside of tank –
ie:
 Ethanol – potential corrosive stress cracking
 Avgas – tends to be more corrosive than other finished products.
 The best intentions mean nothing – a key quality control
measure is Coating Inspections – especially in smaller facilities.
Bring in early to have input into specification, such as surface
preparation, maximum humidity allowed, admixtures for
holding blast, recoat window, etc.
Foundation Alternatives
Excavate & replace unsuitable soils
Piles –
 Driven to refusal, can disturb nearby structure
 Auger cast – less disturbance
Both still require pile caps to transmit load from
bottom to pilings.
Soil Stabilization –
 Low disturbance to nearby structures
 Reduces waste removal
 With proper testing and documentation, binder
material can serve as remediation
Check for Requirements
Questions?

Richard B. Garrett
rick0702@[Link]