Aboveground Tanks Research Articles

Optimal Design of Rectangular Tank Walls With Ribs Using Numerical Models and Global Optimization

This paper addresses the optimization of the cross-section in rectangular above-ground tank walls, incorporating vertical ribs and an optional top ring. The objective is to minimize the volume of concrete used, while maintaining key performance criteria such as keeping the maximum tensile stress below the material’s allowable limit and minimizing deflections. The analysis is performed using the finite element method (FEM), with the optimization handled through a local gradient-based algorithm (trust region method), supported by a multistart technique to navigate the complexity of the design space and avoid suboptimal solutions. The results demonstrate that this approach effectively reduces concrete consumption without exceeding the tensile stress limits or causing excessive deflection, offering more efficient and cost-effective designs for rectangular tanks used in water storage applications. This method provides valuable insights into the balance between material usage and performance constraints, contributing to sustainable engineering practices.

Seismic Response Analysis of Underground Large Liquefied Natural Gas Tanks Considering the Fluid–Structure–Soil Interaction

The seismic response of underground liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks has been a significant focus in both academic and engineering circles. This study utilized Ansys (2021R1) to conduct seismic analyses of large-capacity LNG tanks, considering the fluid–structure–soil coupling interaction (FSSI), and it was solved using the Volume of Fluid model (VOF) and Finite Element Method (FEM). The mechanical properties of both the LNG tank structure and soil were simulated using solid elements, and seismic acceleration loads were applied. An analysis of liquefied natural gas was performed using fluid elements within FLUENT. Initially, a modal analysis of the tank was conducted, which revealed lower frequencies for a full-liquid tank (3.193 Hz) compared to an empty tank (3.714 Hz). Subsequently, the seismic responses of both the aboveground and underground LNG tank structures were separately simulated, comparing the acceleration, stress, and displacement of the tank wall structures. The findings indicate that the peak relative displacement of the aboveground empty tank wall is 122 mm, less than that of a full tank (136 mm), while the opposite holds true for underground tanks. The period and wave height of LNG liquid shaking in underground tanks are lower than those in aboveground tanks, which is more conducive to tank safety. The deformation and acceleration of underground tanks are lower than those of aboveground tanks, but the Mises stress is higher. The results indicate that underground LNG tank structures are safer under earthquake conditions.

Научно-технологические основы разработки месторождений подземных вод с принудительным самоизливом

Introduction. A two-well borehole system is proposed, providing for the extraction of groundwater by forced self-discharge. The essence is to create conditions for the emergence of a down hole energy source in the form of hydraulic shocks, alternating hydraulic impulses affecting aquifers and ensuring the rise of water to a height. Materials and methods of research. A block diagram of a two-well circulation system of wells consisting of an above-ground tank, an injection well with a ledge, a water-lifting well connected by an intermediate trunk. The objects of the study are the shape of the above–ground tank, its connection with the injection well, the location of the ledge and the conditions for conducting a water circulation channel from the ledge to the above-ground tank. Methods – calculation of the energy characteristics of a two-well system, experiments to study the mechanism of the origin of incomplete hydraulic shock, boundary values of the modes of water movement in the system and the coefficient of injection of rocks. They were carried out on the installation with the possibility of visual observation of the processes taking place in the system. Results. When an incomplete hydraulic shock occurs on the ledge of the injection well, the flow is divided into core and lateral components. The water flow from the tank into the well was in the range of 20–60 l/min. The origin of incomplete hydraulic shock occurred at a water flow rate of 20 l/min, with an increase in pressure up to 7.0 atmospheres. The boundary values of the laminar flow mode of water flow are 60 l/min. The height of the water rise (H) mainly depends on the depth of origin of incomplete hydraulic shock (H1). The ejection coefficient of rocks decreases with increasing flow rate of the working flow. Discussion. The results of the study are due to the design features of the elements of the two-well circulation system of wells. The operating conditions of the system are the type of communication ground tank – injection well – aquifer, the location of the ledge, the execution of the water circulation channel from the ledge to the entrance to the ground tank with one diameter, the preservation of the laminar flow regime of water, the exclusion of pressure loss and water leakage in the intermediate trunk. Conclusions. The conditions for the origin of a down hole energy source in the form of renewable hydraulic shocks, which have a hydro impulsive effect on aquifers, have been established. A block diagram of the injection and circulation system of wells for the extraction of groundwater by forced self-discharge has been formed. Resume. The validity of the idea of injection-forced self-discharge of groundwater is proved by the results of research. The results are applicable in the development of groundwater with low-pressure and non-pressure aquifers. The objects of future research are the optimal ratios of the diameter of the injection well and the passage section of the ledge, the expansion of the boundary values of the flow transition from laminar to turbulent motion, and an increase in the ejection coefficient.

Design and performance analysis of a novel compressed air–liquid CO2 energy storage

The application of aboveground artificial tank frees the compressed air energy storage (CAES) from geographical limitations, while one significant issue is how to reduce the price of storage tanks and achieves high efficiency concurrently. The compressed CO2 energy storage (CCES) with flexible gas holder may be an effective and economic proposal, but it can only be used in sparsely populated areas due mainly to the huge size of flexible gas holder. Therefore, this study reports a new aboveground energy storage system with a small footprint, high efficiency and low investment cost. This system is an integration of CAES and CCES by arranging the CCES flexible gas holder into the CAES air chamber. With this configuration, the isobaric CAES is ensured and the size of flexible gas holder is significantly lessened. The integrated system is systematically evaluated in the view of a technical and economic standpoint. It is found that the system efficiency is 67.47 % (charge and discharge pressures being 5.5 MPa), which is increased by 12 % of the CAES efficiency (charge pressure being 10 MPa and discharge pressure being 3.5 MPa). One of the deficiencies of the proposed system may be the larger gas storage volume, which is 1.27 times of that in the CAES system. The system levelized cost of storage is 0.1491 $/kWh, representing a 14.05 percent reduction compared to that of the CAES system. More importantly, the system gas storage pressure is only 5.5 MPa, carrying about half of that in the CAES system. The reliability and safety of the energy storage plant is extensively intensified.

Assessing Freshwater Microbiomes from Different Storage Sources in the Caribbean Using DNA Metabarcoding.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the technique of DNA metabarcoding have provided more efficient and comprehensive options for testing water quality compared to traditional methods. Recent studies have shown the efficacy of DNA metabarcoding in characterizing the bacterial microbiomes of varied sources of drinking water, including rivers, reservoirs, wells, tanks, and lakes. We asked whether DNA metabarcoding could be used to characterize the microbiome of different private sources of stored freshwater on the Caribbean Island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Two replicate water samples were obtained from three different private residential sources in Antigua: a well, an above-ground tank, and a cistern. The bacterial microbiomes of different freshwater sources were assessed using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. We measured both alpha diversity (species diversity within a sample) and beta diversity (species diversity across samples) and conducted a taxonomic analysis. We also looked for the presence of potentially pathogenic species. Major differences were found in the microbiome composition and relative abundances depending on the water source. A lower alpha diversity was observed in the cistern sample compared to the others, and distinct differences in the microbiome composition and relative abundance were noted between the samples. Notably, pathogenic species, or genera known to harbor such species, were detected in all the samples. We conclude that DNA metabarcoding can provide an effective and comprehensive assessment of drinking water quality and has the potential to identify pathogenic species overlooked using traditional methods. This method also shows promise for tracing the source of disease outbreaks due to waterborne microorganisms. This is the first study from small island countries in the Caribbean where metabarcoding has been applied for assessing freshwater water quality.

Some thoughts on integrity management of mounded storage tanks

In the domestic petrochemical industry, mounded storage tanks (MSTs) are widely used to store hazardous chemicals. The shell of the mounded storage tank is completely covered by soil to effectively mitigate the effect of the external environment and prevent thermal-expansion-induced explosion of the stored material. Because mounded storage tanks are mostly underground, they are highly safe, provide effective land utilization, and are highly energy efficient. Furthermore, the impact radius in case of an explosion is less than that of aboveground tanks. However, adequate regulations and standards for safety management are yet to be established. This study established a novel method for the integrity management of mounded storage tanks through database construction, risk assessment, applicability monitoring, and testing. At the same time, the risk assessment method for mounded storage tank characteristics is constructed for the first time.

Grow-out of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fish (Perciformes, Cichlidae) on Local Feed in an Above-ground Tank Culture System in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Acquiring land that meets the required standards for lowland ponds is becoming an increasing problem in the city of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and fish farming in above-ground concrete tanks is emerging as an alternative. The objective of this study was to follow the evolution of pre-growth of Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758 in an above-ground concrete tank culture system using feed based on local agricultural by-products available in Kinshasa. A total of 198 fries were distributed in 3 tanks and fed three times a day. The experiments were conducted for 60 days between August and November 2021. The results obtained indicate a better survival rate (T1 = 75.75±4.32%; T2 = 60.6±9.76% and T3 = 83.33±4.96%). Feed T1 (mean weight = 33.15±2.78 g) and T2 (28.44±3.76 g) had a positive impact on fish weight growth. The cost of producing one kilogram of a feed ration varied depending on the ingredients used. It cost 2,843 FC to develop the T1 feed, 951 FC to produce the T2 feed and 5.000 FC to afford the T3 commercial feed sold in Kinshasa. Ration T2 is the one that gave a better compromise of price and quality by promoting good fish growth at a lower cost (1,692 Congolese Francs) than the other two feeds. These observations sufficiently show that during the experiment, the experimental structure (concrete tank) did not have negative effects on the zootechnical performance of the fry of the fish species studied. The economic aspect of the use of feed rations by fry showed the merits of rearing fish using local agricultural by-products rather than commercial feed. This study showed the merits of setting up an above-ground concrete tank fish farm to overcome the difficulty of acquiring land to meet fish farming requirements.

Application of structural steels in above-ground cylindrical tanks construction after normalized rolling

Application of structural steels in above-ground cylindrical tanks construction after normalized rolling

Renewable energy sources for backup energy supply of small wastewater plants and individual households

These researches concern the use of renewable sources of electricity during emergency shutdowns for uninterrupted operation of water management systems. The ability to purify drinking water during a power outage requires a backup power source. A mobile power plant, which is usually used as a backup power source during blackouts and emergencies, is known to cause environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of wind energy for these purposes requires the location of wind stations next to small treatment plants and households in order to quickly switch to autonomous mode, which does not always meet the territorial requirements and wind resources of the region. Open areas for the location of solar panels make the use of this type of renewable sources as a reserve in the conditions of military operations in Ukraine not quite suitable. On the basis of foreign experience in the use of small hydroelectric power plants (MHPs) and with different layouts of their location when working at sewage treatment plants, four possible options for providing electricity to sewage treatment plants and households during a blackout are proposed for the conditions of Ukraine. The option of the location of the MHP, which uses the energy of water transported through pipelines and which has successfully proven itself at operating treatment plants, is considered. Variants of using the pressure of an artesian well are proposed: MHP located in a vertical well that supplies artesian water under pressure; when an active artesian well supplies water under natural pressure at a constant flow rate to an above-ground (or underground) tank that simultaneously supplies normal household needs and a connected turbine-powered alternator. In addition, an option for the location of the MHPS was considered for the treatment and further use of rainwater sewage, including for the use of rainwater collected from "green roofs" in a tank-reservoir. The peculiarities of using this scheme are that it is easy to combine it with the case of using energy obtained from artesian wells. The proposed technological solutions allow for significant energy savings, including in places where high-quality water supply from artesian wells is possible, depending on the hydrogeological conditions of the area.

OPTIMAL DESIGN OF OIL TANKS ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC CRITERIA WITH CONSIDERATION OF RELIABILITY

Problem statement. According to state regulations, the main method of ensuring the reliability of steel vertical above-ground tanks for long-term storage of oil and petroleum products is the limit states method. This method ensures the reliability of tanks under the conditions and modes of operation envisaged by the relevant standards. However, issues relating to the reliability of tanks whose service life exceeds the normative one, as well as the economic efficiency of project decisions, require further scientific study. In this article, in accordance with the normative documents regulating the oil tanks design, the general method of oil storage tanks optimal design according to the criterion of minimum total expected costs while ensuring the required reliability level during a specified operation period is considered. Within the framework of this methodology, a model of optimal tanks design is formulated and an algorithm for its numerical realization is proposed. The results of numerical experiments using this model are given. The dependence of the rational values of the structural elements thickness for the tank with a volume of 5 000 cubic meters on the required level of reliability is investigated. The purpose of the article is to develop a method of making economically justified design decisions that ensure the required reliability level of oil tanks during a specified operation period, taking into account the current design standards. Conclusions. This article proposes an optimal oil tank design model formulated in terms of a non-linear mathematical programming problem with integer variables. With this model, rational design decisions can be made based on the criterion of the minimum total expected costs while ensuring the required reliability level during a specified operation period. The components of this model are the calculation models for assessing the reliability of the tanks, the parameters of which are determined based on the available results of statistical data processing from field surveys of similar objects. A special “greedy” algorithm was developed for the numerical realization of the proposed optimal design model. The obtained results show, in particular, that ensuring the oil tanks reliability is mainly related to ensuring the strength of the two lower wall belts and the tightness of the bottom. At the same time, the strength of the 1st belt has a key role. All this is in good agreement with the available data of field surveys and statistics of oil tanks capital repairs, which confirms the reliability of the obtained results.

Calibration Periodicity of Fuel Tanks Assigned to Legal–Industrial Metrology: A Case Study

Reliable quantity measurements are essential to meet the needs of the public interest, health, environmental protection, and the global fair trade of petroleum products. This can only be ensured by accurate and regular calibration of the measuring instruments. The frequency of metrological supervision is differently legally regulated in different countries since there are no clear criteria for determining periodicity. This report presents an analysis of the metrological supervision of vertical and aboveground tanks (intended for oil products) in different countries and long-term data usage for supervision periodicity identification. The periodicity of metrological supervision procedures must be synchronised with technical repairs and must depend on the type and volume of the tank. Choosing the optimal periodicity frequency of different tanks can adjust the economic burden of metrological supervision considering the economic and environmental aspects that is presented in the report with suitable adaptations.

IoT-Based Solutions to Monitor Water Level, Leakage, and Motor Control for Smart Water Tanks

Today, a large portion of the human population around the globe has no access to freshwater for drinking, cooking, and other domestic applications. Water resources in numerous countries are becoming scarce due to over urbanization, rapid industrial growth, and current global warming. Water is often stored in the aboveground or underground tanks. In developing countries, these tanks are maintained manually, and in some cases, water is wasted due to human negligence. In addition, water could also leak out from tanks and supply pipes due to the decayed infrastructure. To address these issues, researchers worldwide turned to the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology to efficiently monitor water levels, detect leakage, and auto refill tanks whenever needed. Notably, this technology can also supply real-time feedback to end-users and other experts through a webpage or a smartphone. Literature reveals a plethora of review articles on smart water monitoring, including water quality, supply pipes leakage, and water waste recycling. However, none of the reviews focus on the IoT-based solution to monitor water level, detect water leakage, and auto control water pumps, especially at the induvial level that form a vast proportion of water consumers worldwide. To fill this gap in the literature, this study presents a review of IoT-controlled water storage tanks (IoT-WST). Some important contributions of our work include surveying contemporary work on IoT-WST, elaborating current techniques and technologies in IoT-WST, targeting proper hardware, and selecting a secure IoT cloud server.

Techno-economic analysis of long-duration energy storage and flexible power generation technologies to support high-variable renewable energy grids

Techno-economic analysis of long-duration energy storage and flexible power generation technologies to support high-variable renewable energy grids

Earthquake-induced nonlinear sloshing response of above-ground steel tanks with damped or undamped floating roof

Liquid storage tanks are widely used in the industry and can contain not only harmless substances but also various ones that can be explosive and toxic or pollutant, thus implying that both the structure and the content must remain safe and operational under different types of loading. The same applies to any tank-connected plant system/item. Yet, past earthquakes repeatedly demonstrated that even if structural damage is prevented in the shell, severe occurrences may still be observed due to sloshing phenomena, which drive the tank-fluid system response with high impacts in case of accidental release of chemicals. Therefore, this paper studies an energy dissipation system consisting of floating roof and external dampers that are utilized to control liquid vibration by augmenting the level of damping. In order to evaluate its effectiveness at the design-level earthquakes, a series of explicit nonlinear dynamic analyses have been performed, and comparisons are provided between floating roofed steel cylindrical tanks equipped with supplemental devices and counterparts without them. Changes in seismic performance because of geometrical variations in the tank (i.e. aspect ratio) and seismic input (i.e. far and near field earthquakes) have been quantified by means of experimentally validated numerical models that account for material and geometrical nonlinearities, as well as for fluid-structure interaction in an explicit manner. Shake-table tests available in the literature have been simulated, and the proposed modelling criteria show a good fit with experimental data on two tank specimens. Analysis data sets involving three tank geometries reveal that even if the dissipation system targets mainly large-capacity tanks, it can be effectively used to enhance the performance of any system, reducing the sloshing wave height which can be excessive especially when the tank is subjected to severe near field ground motions.

Mathematical model of liquefied natural gas evaporation and analysis of original composition effect on evaporation speed

Subject of Research. The paper proposes a model for predicting evaporation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) stored in tanks of regasification terminals. The model is a combination of the strict thermodynamic LNG vapor-liquid equilibrium and heat transfer realistic models. Analysis of the initial composition effect and the stock of LNG, the initial content of nitrogen and the value of the outside air temperature on the LNG evaporation rate is carried out. Method. A numerical experiment using a mathematical model of the LNG evaporation process was based on the LNG composition data and its storage time in aboveground tanks. The proposed method provided a number of advantages compared to previously developed models: the heat input to the low-temperature part of the LNG storage tank was calculated taking into account the outdoor temperature and the LNG composition; the evaporation coefficient was not an input parameter, but was calculated as part of the simulation; the LNG density was calculated by experimental correlation. Main Results. An important parameter in assessing the LNG loss from its evaporation is the nitrogen content in the liquid, which evaporates at a higher rate than methane, the main LNG component. Analysis of the initial composition effect on the LNG evaporation rate has shown that the growth of the nitrogen content in the initial mixture causes noticeable decrease in the evaporation rate due to the nitrogen priority evaporation and, as a consequence, the growth of latent mixture heat vaporization. Analysis of the initial LNG supply value at the evaporation rate has shown that a large degree of the tank filling causes an outstripping reduction in losses from evaporation. The result is an earlier reduction in the amount of boil-off gas (BOG, stripping gas) for more filled tank. Analysis of the outdoor temperature effect on the rate of LNG evaporation has shown that the ambient temperature change of 1 °C leads to the decrease in the BOG amount by 0.2 %. Practical Relevance. The proposed mathematical model of the LNG evaporation process reduces BOG formation during long-term storage, maintain the original LNG quality, optimizes the operational parameters of regasification terminals, and provides the consumers with reliable supply of high-quality natural gas.

Infrared thermographic detector of hidden corrosion

PurposeActive infrared (IR) thermography, because of its high productivity and illustrativeness, is a promising technique in nondestructive testing (NDT). The purpose of this paper is to discuss a concept and practical implementation of a portable experimental unit intended for IR thermographic NDT of corrosion in metallic shells.Design/methodology/approachThe basic theory relates to the analysis of heat conduction in a plate with rear-surface material loss subjected to pulse, thermal wave or arbitrary heating.FindingsThe amplitude of temperature anomalies over defects and their characteristic observation times depend on material loss, size and shape of corrosion defects. A flexible architecture of the inspection unit is proposed to include flash tubes, halogen lamps and laser-emitting diode (LED) panels as sources of stimulating thermal radiation. In particular, LED heaters might be perspective due to their narrow spectral band, which is beyond a spectral sensitivity of modern IR imagers. It has been found that the IR thermographic technique is convenient for detecting material loss of up to 15–20 per cent in uniformly painted steel shells with thickness up to 8 mm. The concept of signal-to-noise ratio has been applied to evaluate efficiency of data processing techniques, such as Fourier transform and principal component analysis.Originality/valueThe developed equipment and inspection guidelines can be used for detecting hidden corrosion in metallic objects, such as above-ground tanks, pipes, containers, etc.

A New Experimental Facility for Characterizing Bladed Disk Dynamics at Design Speed

An experimental facility for structural dynamics programs that uses an above-ground containment tank specifically designed to house bladed disks operating at design speed is described in this work. Key characteristics of the facility are discussed, and the configuration for a blade damping and mistuning study are presented. In particular, the development of an air-jet excitation system that can operate in different configurations to excite synchronous and nonsynchronous vibrations is detailed. Also, the measurement capabilities using a noncontact tip timing system as well as strain gauges are highlighted. Finally, results of data demonstrating the effectiveness of the facility for damping and mistuning studies are discussed.

Agro Pastoralist’s Perception and Willingness to Participate in Water Harvesting Practices in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess agro pastoralist’s perception and willingness to participate in water harvesting practices that could improve their decision to construct and manage water storage technologies at individual household level or community level in the study area. A total of 192 agro pastoralist’s households were assessed and 92.7% of them were willing to participate in rainwater harvesting practices and the rest 7.3% were not. Of the willing respondents 27.53%, 54.49% and 17.98% preferred clay lined pond, plastic lined pond and aboveground tank water storage technologies. And also the study specified the binary logistic for the participation decision and multinomial logistic for the choice decision model to identify factors that affect participation decision on water harvesting technologies and preference of water storage technologies. Accordingly, estimation of the binary logistic model showed that labor availability, distance to water source, perception towards water harvesting practice, age of respondent and credit services significantly affect the willingness of agro pastoralists to participate in water harvesting technologies. Whereas labour availability, ownership of plot, plot distance and area of particular plot affect the choice decision of agro pastoralists on rain water storage options among alternatives in the study area. It can be concluded that policy makers must give attention on factors affecting perception/participation decision of agro pastoralist’s in water harvesting works and their preference among water storage options, and on gender issues in the planning/implementation of water harvesting activities.

Heating houses by using vacuum-tube solar collectors and a small aboveground water tank: a cost-effective solution for maritime climates

ABSTRACT This work presents a simple dynamical solar-thermal modelling and cost-optimized solution for heating houses in maritime climates by using many vacuum-tube solar collectors together with one small well-insulated aboveground water tank and the underfloor hot-water heating system. This was performed for a single house in the cold-maritime climate of Bariloche (13,000 kWh/y), which could be fully satisfied by using ten collectors on 70°-inclined roof and 4.6 m3 tank, costing €12,900. This cost is noticeably lower than for previous large projects in cold-continental climates, what is supported by four key factors: (1) solar resource and heating demand in maritime climates are more distributed than in continental climates; (2) small aboveground tanks can get noticeably higher efficiencies and lower costs that huge underground tanks; (3) vacuum-tube collectors get higher performances than flat collectors during winters; (4) high winter solar yield is achieved by installing collectors on high tilt angles (or half on low-inclined roofs and half on walls). These four factors will be discussed by solar-thermal and cost analyses, by comparing the system performance for climatic conditions of Bariloche and Okotoks.

Dynamic analysis of aboveground open-top steel tanks subjected to wind loading

Aboveground steel tanks are prone to buckle under wind loading if they are empty. Geometrically nonlinear explicit dynamic analysis of empty open-top tanks subjected to wind loading are conducted using finite element analysis (FEA). Tanks with five different height to diameter aspect ratios, 4.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.4, and 0.2, are adopted. Tanks are subjected to a gust of wind which fluctuates in magnitude over time to investigate whether a minor fluctuation, 10% of the average pressure, will trigger resonant behavior. Tanks with geometrical imperfections are also investigated using both dynamic analysis and static geometrically nonlinear analysis including imperfection (GNIA). It is found that, no matter if the tank does or does not have geometrical imperfections, resonance is not observed. Thus, a static analysis may be adequate for a practical tank design. The natural vibration frequencies of empty open-top tanks are studied as well, and comparisons with theoretical solutions and FEA results from the literature are presented. The effective modal mass is discussed to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the tanks examined. Insights for conducting an explicit dynamic analysis, including converged mesh size and time step limits, are also presented.