Fixed-roof Tanks Research Articles

Carbon Bed Fires and the Use of Carbon Canisters for Air Emissions Control on Fixed-Roof Tanks

ABSTRACT Fixed-roof tanks are used extensively at manufacturing, waste management, and other facilities to store or process liquids containing volatile organic compounds. Federal and state air standards require the control of organic air emissions from many of these tanks. A common practice used for some fixed-roof tanks that are required to use controls is to vent the tank through an activated carbon canister. When organic vapors are adsorbed on activated carbon, heat is released. Under certain conditions, the temperature of the carbon bed can increase to a level at which the carbon or organic vapors spontaneously ignite, starting a fire in the carbon bed. Bed fires in carbon canisters are not uncommon and can present a significant safety hazard at facilities if proper safety measures are not implemented. This article discusses how carbon adsorber bed fires occur and presents general guidance on safety measures for carbon canisters installed on fixed-roof tanks to reduce the likelihood of a carbon bed fire and to minimize the impact in the event of a fire.

Application of Fracture Mechanics to Fixed-Roof Tanks under Impulsive Internal Pressure

Application of Fracture Mechanics to Fixed-Roof Tanks under Impulsive Internal Pressure

ON THE FATE OF SINUSOIDAL RADIATION TO A VOLATILE OPAQUE LIQUID

A method was developed that predicts the energy distribution of sinusoidal radiation incident on a volatile opaque liquid surface. The energy is absorbed by the liquid phase, absorbed by the gas phase and used to furnish the heat of vaporization of the volatile liquid. In an example of heptane and air, 94.8% of the energy conducted into the liquid phase 1.0% was conducted into the gas phase and 4.2% was required for the heal of vaporization The method could be used to determine the emissivity of a material radiating to a volatile opaque liquid. Results may also find application in reducing hydrocarbon emissions from fixed-roof tanks by as much as 30% if aluminum instead of steel tank domes were used

Experimental and theoretical investigation of working emissions from fixed-roof tanks

Experimental and theoretical investigation of working emissions from fixed-roof tanks

Breathing losses from fixed-roof tanks by heat and mass transfer diffusion

A simultaneous heat and mass transfer diffusion model was developed that predicts volatile breathing losses at terminal state for isobaric fixed-roof tanks experiencing a sinusoid temperature perturbation on the top dome. Typically thermal penetration into the stagnant gas phase appears to be limited to 2-3 m for a 24thermal cycle. The predicted breathing emissions compared closely with the emission data from the 1977 WOGA tests of industrial tanks. The diffusion model may be extremely beneficial in the prediction of hydrocarbon losses fro fixed-roof storage tanks.

Foundations and earthworks for cylindrical steel storage tanks : Harris, G Ground Engng. V9, N5, July, 1976, P24–31

The design and construction techniques for steel storage tanks for storing oil and general bulk commodities are reviewed. The nature of storage tanks are described, the effects of settlement of tanks are discussed, and comments are made on tank loadings, foundations, water testing and settlement records, dyke compount areas, and underwriting considerations. Shell bearing plates are used for fixed roof tanks where shell bearing pressures are in excess of 100 kilopascals or where floating roof tanks are involved. Large size cone roof tanks have their roofs supported on columns and generally a center column. The dead load on columns normally ranges from 50 to 100 kn, whereas live load can add a further 100 to 150 kn per column. Foundation solutions for varying soil conditions are diagramatically illustrated and relate to shallow foundations in competant graound, foundations for poor ground conditions, fill replacement technique, piled foundations, and foundation preloading. Tests to ensure that the storage tank is water tight, and that the foundation is adequate to carry the loadings are discussed. The dyking (to retain spillage and prevent flooding and pollution) precaustions to be adopted in any instance will depend on the nature of the commodity being stored. Underwriting consideraions are discussed related to the storage of hydrocarbons.

Boundary layer separation for winds flowing around large fixed-roof oil-storage tanks with small aspect ratios

Boundary layer separation for winds flowing around large fixed-roof oil-storage tanks with small aspect ratios

Boundary layer separation for winds flowing around large fixed-roof oil-storage tanks with small aspect ratios

As the Reynolds number of the wind flows around vertical circular-cylinder oil-storage fixed-roof tanks increased from 4.0 × 10 6 to 2.7 × 10 7, the angle of the wake at the mid-height of the tank decreased from 148 to 34°. Throughout this Reynolds number range, the wake angle also decreased with height.