Horizontal tanks used Vertically

[cwigg66]

MY question is in regards to the use of a horizontal petroleum storage tank (20,000 gallon) in a vertical position. I have a customer that has done this without notifying anyone. What should my concerns be regarding the safety of this practice. The tanks are most likely 1/4 inch steel walls with 3/8 heads. The tanks are approx 30' long and 10' in diameter. Is this a safe thing to do? Obviously if I get the specific specs on the tanks I can calculate shell stress and thickness adequacy based on API 650, but has anyone actaully ever seen this happen? Thanks all.

Chris

 

[JoeTank]

I think if you look at UL-142, you may see that the tank wall thickness may be the same. If it's a flat head, I don't see much in the way of a potential problem. Stresswise, a UL-142 tank in a vertical position has much lower shell stresses that a horizontal tank sitting on saddles. What could be of great concern would be the vents and manholes.

Steve Braune
Tank Industry Consultants

http://www.tankindustry.com

 

[cwigg66]

Steve,

Thanks. That is exactly what I needed to hear.

Chris

 

[JoeTank]

Chris,
Please be sure to check out UL142 yourself. Don't rely upon the musings of us folk without all the info.

Steve Braune
Tank Industry Consultants

http://www.tankindustry.com

 

[JStephen]

Check for wind overturning when empty- they probably won't check out for that.

 

[cwigg66]

I certainly will.... thanks for the help.

C

 

[LSThill]

TECHNICAL NOTE: Unachored and Anchored Liquid Storage Tanks

Is the tank unachored or anchored.
checking for sloshing and overturning

If anchord check for base share.

If unachored use advance search for the free computer program for unanchored tank.

Additional requirement thread794-139620

 

[EGT01]

Vessel design is not expertise so I would like to hear comments from the others but whether it is UL-142 or API 650, I believe both of those are atmospheric storage tanks meaning they would have been designed for a low MAWP rating (at top of vessel) plus liquid static head. I would have some concern for how much liquid level would be allowed in the vertical orientation since in that position you would have 3x the static head the vessel would have been designed for and that would seem to be a significant factor.