standalone crude oil storage tank

[kald]

if I have a standalone crude oil storage tank in the desert with a capacity of 200 M3 , is it necessary to install a fixed fire fighting system or I can depend on portable fire fighting

 

[LittleInch]

At that volume I would just let it burn down if it caught fire.

Still have a bund to contain the spill/ fire.

But depends on your legislation.

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

 

[kald]

I totally agree with you, from an engineering judgment point of view, I think we can cover this area with fire extinguishers or portable fire fighting, but I wonder if the code cover this point and what is the minimum hydrocarbon inventory required to install fixed firefighting system

 

[MJCronin]

There are many reasons to install a fire protection system for valuable Crude oil tankage ...

Let us not forget:

1) Air Polution and air quality destruction from a fire that could last for many weeks
2) Company reputation implications from this near perpetual fire
3) Restricted area around tank for extended periods due to possible boilover/BLEVE during long term fire
4) Loss of value of possible salvageable liquid after fire is extingushed

This, IMHO, is an executive decision that should require plant management to get off their dead asses and finally earn their money

An example of BLEVE fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgCGGuQCnWk

Asphault tanks can become bombs

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06062021/tank-explosion-asphalt-heavy-fuel-texas/

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer