MJC:
I believe you will find that the large bulk storage of compressed liquefied gases is usually what is economically justififiable when considering spherical tanks in industry. This, of course, includes the cryogenics as well. Some of the LNG Carriers (transport sea vessels) employ the spherical design for their containment system. The Kalimantan LNG project (1978) used this type of vessels. When I worked for El Paso LNG we used the rectangular containment system because it carried more product per given space in the ships. The liquefiable gases (besides the cryogenic) are those who exhibit the thermophysical property of existing as liquids at ambient temperatures - such as the hydrocarbons (butane, propane, etc.), Ammonia, Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine, etc.
Spheres are "neat". A sphere is the sole geometric shape that is truly fit for withstanding internal pressure. They are simplistic in design, withstand the highest pressure for the same wall thickness than any other shape and just plain look good. As a young engineer I thought I should be applying spherical design to everything I could. I later found out the "price" (trade-off) of doing so: intensive man-hour labor required, extensive know-how and skilled craftsmen (artisans, really) required to accurately fabricate the spherical segments for field assembly, more land & space required per given storage volume, special design (& cost) for structural, ladders, platforms, awkward and costly design for safety valves, manways, and other critical nozzles, expensive setups for safe external painting and maintenance, special design for foundation and civil work. There are more disadvantages, but the total cost is by far the outstanding characteristic. The fact that only a few fabricators in the world will handle this type of problem doesn't help the price go down. These are all factors that you already know - as I am sure. I mention them for the benefit of those who would be interested to know.
However, I'm still in love with the thought of applying a spherical storage tank on a project. The inherent challenge and trade-offs only provoke me more in applying this type of aesthetic design. I guess there's a little bit of an architect in all of us. However, the exorbitant costs inevitably always affect the ultimate decision. There is a spherical tank farm besides the Shell Refinery here in Houston on Hwy 225. It's been there for many decades that I know of. It looks great and has proved it's safe design for the length of its installation. It would be interesting to know if Shell could justify the same design at today's man-hour costs. Regretfully, I kinda doubt it - but I would love to hear otherwise.
Merry Christmas to you and everyone else. May you all have a Prosperous New Year. I'm off to Tucson, AZ to enjoy my wonderful grandchildren.
