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Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

(OP)
I am handling a Liquid sulphur storage tank (42 m Dia x 9 m Ht) for which operating temperature is 137 deg. C & design pressure is Atmospheric. I have following queries.

1) For above tank, is it adequate to provide heating coils on Tank roof & bottom only ?
OR
Are the coils required on Tank shell also, in addition to tank bottom & roof ?

2) Can I provide column supported roof for this tank ?

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

#2 -- Yes, but do not use pipe [traps sulfur], use I-beams

#1 -- ??  With sufficient heat input and good insulation, tank bottom only is sufficient.

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

What design code are you using, such as API-650, API-620?

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

(OP)
Thanks Duwe6 for reply.

However,if you have any past experience of Liquid sulphur storage tank with column supported roof, than kindly share the same.

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

(OP)
The tank is API 650 Atm. pressure storage tank

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

Also, based on experience, use only non-wicking, non-porous insulation for the first meter or so up from your tank bottom.  Molten sulfur is just the  right temperature to cause rapid, massive Corrosion-under-Insulation;  CUI.

The roof vent will need to be heat-traced to keep sulfur fumes from consension on the flame arrestor grid-plate.  And do not try to rum your tank without a vent with a flame arrestor.  Flaming sulfur tanks are ugly.

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

Molten sulfur storage tanks are extremely dangerous and pose unique threats of explosion and vent fires.

http://www.sulfurunit.com/Safety/Sulfur_Incident.shtm

Aggressive interior and exterior corrosion is also a major concern

http://www.stocexpo.com/pdf/press/PreventingCorrosion.pdf

It is unfortunate that neither the AiCHe not any sulfur producing industry member has developed a guidline for molten sulfur storage and handling.

It is unfortunate that those who are charged with making important (and expensive) design decisions do not have such a guideline to rely upon.

Its not like we haven't been dealing with sulfur for thousands of years...

My opinion only

   

RE: Heating coils & Column supported roof for Liquid sulphur storage tank

Yeah, what Duwe6 said; the roof will be a bit-h. If water condenses ,H2S,SO2 and SO3 gasses will be absorbed and destroy the roof.

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