Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?
Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?
(OP)
We have a 3 million gallon potable storage tank in our system which is too large, leading to water quality issues.
Even with the installation of a mixing system, I believe the tank to be too large.
One of our maintenance managers has the idea that the potable welded steel storage tanks can be bisected down the middle with a vertical bulkhead.
In my opinion it would introduce significant stress concentration factors at the corners. That is why you don't see square steel tanks in service.
Any other opinions?
Thanks,
kww
Even with the installation of a mixing system, I believe the tank to be too large.
One of our maintenance managers has the idea that the potable welded steel storage tanks can be bisected down the middle with a vertical bulkhead.
In my opinion it would introduce significant stress concentration factors at the corners. That is why you don't see square steel tanks in service.
Any other opinions?
Thanks,
kww





RE: Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?
If an engineer where to choose a rectangle shape; they would then need to incorporate additional structural support in areas, thereby adding unnecessary additional structural weight to the overall design.
If you put a wall in the middle of the tank, the wall would have to be designed to withstand the force of a full tank on one side and an empty tank on the other. The wall would have to be stiffened with reinforcement.
You would probably be better off if you put smaller concentric tanks within the larger tank.
RE: Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?
And how would either idea (bulkhead or concentric tanks) improve water quality? Either you need to mix better with a mixing system or multiple tank inlets / outlets; change your operational procedures to drain the large tank more frequently; or install a new smaller tank.
RE: Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?
RE: Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?
Tanks are pretty cheap now. Put a smaller one in your system. Consider it as helping the economy.
RE: Bisected AWWA Storage Tank?