Underground Tanks for Storage of Gasoline Type Products / Applicable Codes and Standards 4

[Hope_Faith0817]

We are studying to design an underground tank for storage of products like gasoline, diesel, jet-oil, etc. I know that good information on the subsurface conditions across the site will be needed. Our current proposal is having a concrete tank, but I wanted to check if someone has any experience of underground tank other than concrete say metallic covered with concrete? The focus should be as well on security and the design of the roof protection (in line with the intention of the tanks).

Also, is there an International Standard that can be referred for underground tank design? I am familiar with EMMUA 190 but that is applicable for pressurized mounded horizontal cylindrical vessels for pressurised storage of LPG at ambient temperature. Any proposal will be highly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[HTURKAK]

I want to think your underground tank proposal is steel cylindrical tank erected in RC pond for environmental reasons and fixed to bottom with straps for buoyancy .


Pls look UL 58 Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids

https://standardscatalog.ul.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL58..

Tim was so learned that he could name a
horse in nine languages: so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.
(BENJAMIN FRANKLIN )

 

[Hope_Faith0817]

Thank you @HTURKAK on your response. The tank capacity is around 95,000 m3 which is quite big, and the site is located in Middle East. The proposal we have in mind is rectangular concrete storage tank. Do you know any code helpful on the design of storage tank other than ACI 350?

Looking at UL 58 as well as ULC-S603-14, it is only limited to small diameter storage tank. We are looking for any code or any experience designing metallic storage tank considering the above-mentioned capacity. It is not limited to just one tank; we can advise the optimum size for the number of tanks to be considered.

Appreciate any inputs or experience. Thank you.

 

[LittleInch]

Hope,

What you are building is a lined concrete storage tank. So it's really all about the concrete structure. The metal is just there to stop it leaking.

The key is how to fill in the gap between the steel skin and the concrete and how to deal with expansion difference.

Square / rectangular anything with liquid in it is a bad move.

I don't think you'll find any code as this is quite unusual.

When you say "underground", what do you mean? Tunneled into rock? Big hole, build it then cover it again?
95,000 m3 is about 600,000 bbls - that's a big tank.

I've been involved with a few buried tanks built in rock before now.
Is this supposed to be bomb proof??

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

 

[MJCronin]

Lets see .... A single 95,000 cubic meter gasoline storage tank ? (about 25,000,000 gallons ?)

..but underground ? --- this may be a record breaker for your country !!!!

I believe that this link is to the record holder for underground USA storage of fuel !!!! - 20 UG tanks in Hawaii - each 12.5 million gallons

https://gcaptain.com/shutdown-worlds-largest-underground-bunker-fuel-tanks/

Where will your be located and why on earth would you want such a massive volume in ONE single tank ?

Large single tanks cause problems when engineering venting and inerting systems ... Inspection becomes impossible because there is no place to store the fuel

There are maintenance problems when the inside of the tank must eventually be recoated or sludge removed

In my opinion, your massive required volume should be broken into four to six smaller tanks ...

Give us more details ... do you envision a cylindrical concrete structure ?... or bathtub ... or what ?

More information, please

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[HTURKAK]

I know some buried tanks or with earth embankment for LNG storage .. 95,000 m3 is mega tank and did not see and do not know for product storage..
If it is the final decision, will you pls post P& I diagram ?

A simple calculation , D= 80 m diameter H= 22.0 m..

If the tank will be buried for security reasons, IMO, interior tank could be circular cylindrical designed with API codes , located in circular RC bund wall having prestressed RC dome with interior columns and with IFR .
The annular space btw steel inner tank and RC wall should be suitable for inspection and maintenance..







Tim was so learned that he could name a
horse in nine languages: so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.
(BENJAMIN FRANKLIN )

 

[LittleInch]

The API codes assume a self supported tank which is not valid here if the concrete is able to be used as the means to contain the fluid pressure. It simply becomes a steel lined concrete tank which reduces steel thicknesses considerably.

I don't know of a code for design of such things, though you might find a military one. There are some recommended Practices floating around.

Youi could try PEI RP800

There is API RP 1615, but this is for storage <60,000 gallons

There's UL 58

Most things in USTs as they are known are about small cylindrical tanks like those you find in petrol stations and similar, not Bulk storage tanks

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

 

[MJCronin]

Can you share with us why the tank must be underground ? ...

Has the client shared with you the "amount of earth cover" required above the proposed tank ?

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[LittleInch]

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

 

[CarlB]

US military standard for cut-n-cover tank

https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/COS/AW_078-24-33.pdf

 

[LittleInch]

Just don't do it this way....

https://aoghs.org/energy-education-resources/monahans-oil-museum/

Apparently it could in theory hold 5 million barrels....
And had a timber roof!

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

 

[shvet]

Appreciate any inputs or experience. Thank you.

We made an audit of a military storage facility where fuel was stored in underground tanks. Internal wall was made of steel while external wall and roof was made of reinforced concrete. There was a ~1 m space between walls for inspection/maintenance and fuel/water pumping. Looked like an expensive option justified by a disputable concealment from an orbit view and protection from bombing. As per my experience it is hard to imagine a civil facility that can justify such high capex. As per my experience even military and near-military customers prefer inground storage instead of underground as underground design is quite outdated to this day. Note that:
- in drylands inground and aboveground storage may have comparable capex depending on weather and soil conditions
- feasibility and value engineering of above/in/underground storage to choose between those require an experienced engineering contractor and can become surprisingly expensive
- military customers will always prefer several small storages instead of one superstorage
See para. 3.11 of Long&Garner Storage Tanks and Equipment for some details.

 

[MJCronin]

Strongly agree with shvet when he states:


- feasibility and value engineering of above/in/underground storage to choose between those require an experienced engineering contractor and can become surprisingly expensive
- military customers will always prefer several small storages instead of one superstorage

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[LittleInch]

Now if you want a real underground storage tank look to the KSA.

They have caverns in the rock each 400m long, 25m wide and 30m high. All lined with steel. circa 2 million barrels each.

multiple ones each site and 5 sites (though I think only 4 were ever built)

I've been in one and they are gigantic.

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

 

[1503-44]

5 Were built.
1 Riyadh
3 Buraydah
5 Jeddah
6 Abha
7 Medinah

Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

 

[georgeverghese]

Believe much of KSA subsoil has high brine /salt content. And so may diesel, whenever there is trace water in it. Metal tank bottom lining leaks for crude / petroleum products storage tanks constructed out of carbon steel is common in older tank farms, which then seeps into groundwater / rivers.