Sludge Tank 1

[JAS]

Dear All, Iam designing a Sludge Holding Tank (15m ID). I need help on the confirmation of the following.
1) For a sludge tank, what is the necessity of the Sump.(sump is necessary as per Shell DEP/2 sumps as per API 650)
2) Should the slope of the Bottom plate be Cone-in or out?(Cone-out with 1:120 as per API 650 for water tank-this is sludge tank)
Thank you.

 

[IFRs]

API 650 code does not require sumps or that the bottom be sloped, but has details if used. The decisions to have a sump or bottom slope are up to the owner.

 

[bimr]

Necessity of the sump depends on what type of sludge that you have.

 

[Duwe6]

My preference for sludge/solids is cone-up bottom. If the tank is larger than about 30-ft/10m don't bother with a clean-out door. When it comes time to scrape out the sludge, just cut an opening 'door sheet' in the shell a little wider than a small 'bobcat' skid-steer loader. That allows the loader to just drive in and start scooping the solids out. Two decent 'tankies' can fit and reweld that door-sheet in 8 to 10 hours. Then X-ray or Phased-array these vert welds and go home to bed.

 

[bimr]

The 1:120 is not much of a slope and will only drain water, not sludge. If you have one sump; probably drain to the center. Multiple sumps; drain outward.