Insulated bitumen storage tank configuration 1

[alienitmeca]

Dear fellow engineers,

I am working on a new bitument storage tank (net capacity of 400 cubic meter), a heating coil system should be implemented on the tank in order to maintain the bitument in a liquid form. The client asked for the tank to be insulated for energy concervation resons which make us and the client on the same page.
Having done some reaserch on bitumen storage tank, I have noticed that most of them tend to be with small diameter and considrable hight.
On the other hand, after doing some simple calculations, I found that the lower the tank is, the smaller the shell surface, which make the exchange surface smaller. Thus, it should be better to have tank big on the diameter, small on the hight.

Could you please confirme one configuration over the other. I would really apreciate it if you could provide me with the advantages and the disadvantages of both configurations.

Looking forward to receinving your responses. Your recommendations are all welcome.

Best Regards.

 

[LittleInch]

Heat conservation of floors and roofs tends to be more expensive and difficult to insulate than circular tank walls. Heat emits from all surfaces.

At relatively low volumes, the minimum depth in the tank can end up being quite a large percent of the volume. Heated tanks need to maintain a reasonable minimum depth of material over the heating coils.

Bigger diameter tanks can also end up with larger "cold spots" and need longer heating coils.



Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[alienitmeca]

LittleInch,

Thank you for your quick response, I was also inclined for the tank with the big hight and the small diameter.

You have been very helpful.

 

[MJCronin]

Alien ...

Since this is probably the first bitumen storage tank you and your boss have been involved, I strongly suggest that you consider a proven commercial product.

Tall vertical asphault/bitumen storage tanks have been around for decades. Heating systems and pre-insulated tanks are available. Proven pumping systems and controls are available. IMHO, commercially available tank configurations are the proven best choice for energy savings, pumpability, strength and siting requirements.

You can probably meet your volumetric needs with three or four vertical units.

Contact these people ..........

http://www.heatec.com/products/tanks/asphalt-storage-tanks.html

http://www.gencor.com/index.php?page=asphalt-storage-tanks

http://asphaltmagazine.com/an-overview-of-storage-and-handling-of-asphalt/

Please respect us and tell us of your final decision ....


MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[alienitmeca]

MJCronin, Thank you for your response,

I believe that we are going to give it a shot and try to design this storage tank ourselves, the compnay that I am currently working for have already designed and manufactured several storage tanks, so I think we have the expertise for it, it is just that the stored product and the operating conditions are kind of special this time, so I am inclined to have a more cost effective design.

MJCronin, I have checked the links that you have sent, I think that conmmercilaized bitumen tanks are bit smaller for our capacity (400 cubic meter), and as a solution for that, you have suggested the use of three to four tanks. The probleme here is that the client is asking for the total capacity to be stored in only one tank and that is for site restrains.

I, personally don't have the expertise for it, but could you tell me if there is commercialized bitumen tanks that meet our requirements (big capacity and better heat conservation) ?

I look forward to your kind responses.