Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts
Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts
(OP)
Hello everyone,
I have been asked for advice on one of our "water" tanks on our plant site. We are located in North Dakota and it is the middle of winter (low 30's this week so not very cold for us). This is a 142' diameter x 40' high tank set on a ring wall foundation and was built back in the early 1980's.
The tank has been empty since last summer and now one of the process engineers have informed me that they will be filling it shortly with warm water (80 degree Fahrenheit). I was asked if filling the cold tank with the warm water would have any negative impact on the tanks foundation. My thought is "absolutely not; why would it?" I think the correct question to ask would be "would this have any negative impact on the tank shell" (which would be a question for one of our mechanical engineers).
Does anyone see something that I don't?
Thank you!
I have been asked for advice on one of our "water" tanks on our plant site. We are located in North Dakota and it is the middle of winter (low 30's this week so not very cold for us). This is a 142' diameter x 40' high tank set on a ring wall foundation and was built back in the early 1980's.
The tank has been empty since last summer and now one of the process engineers have informed me that they will be filling it shortly with warm water (80 degree Fahrenheit). I was asked if filling the cold tank with the warm water would have any negative impact on the tanks foundation. My thought is "absolutely not; why would it?" I think the correct question to ask would be "would this have any negative impact on the tank shell" (which would be a question for one of our mechanical engineers).
Does anyone see something that I don't?
Thank you!





RE: Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts
If the latter, then there could in theory be an issue if the ground below the footing has frozen. If the former, then likely no issues.
RE: Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts
RE: Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts
What happens when the water freezes as it is left in place for several days?
RE: Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts
racookpe1978, when you refer to the cooling of the tank are you assuming that after the warm liquid enters the tank it will remain stagnant? The tank contains stripped gas liquor which is used throughout our cooling water system as well as other places (I don't have much more detail than that) so this tank level is constantly rising or falling. So, if the tank is being mixed after it's put back in service do you think the wall would contract back significantly? If a "large" gap is noticed we can certainly provide cover to prevent water or anything else from entering the void. The stress from the concrete's tendency to expand is really what worries me. I guess my question is should I have operations wait until spring to fill this tank? I know that maintenance & operations need to drain and clean the adjacent tank and waiting would set them back.
RE: Tank Foundation Cold Weather Impacts