Understanding Storage Tanks: Classifications, Features and Applications
A storage tank serves as the linchpin for storing diverse oil products, standing as the focal point within an oil depot. The prevailing design of choice in the present era is the vertical cylindrical tank. In our discourse today, our aim is to provide a nuanced understanding of the intricate classification, distinctive characteristics, and installation methods associated with indispensable structures of these storage tanks.
Major Classification of Storage Tanks
Storage tanks, essential in the world of oil products, are sorted into different categories based on specific factors. These classifications offer a complete framework for understanding their various uses, designs, and practical applications.
Distinctive Features of Storage Tanks
Storage tanks exhibit a range of distinctive features that contribute to their versatility and effectiveness in various industries. Understanding these key traits provides insights into the essential functions and applications of these integral structures.
In summary, storage tanks, especially the widely used vertical cylindrical design, are pivotal in the oil industry. Major classifications, including location, oil type, use, form, structure, and size, offer a comprehensive understanding of their applications. The distinctive features, such as material diversity and innovative designs like inner floating roofs, underscore their versatility. Overall, storage tanks are essential for safely storing a diverse range of oil products.
Major Classification of Storage Tanks
Storage tanks, essential in the world of oil products, are sorted into different categories based on specific factors. These classifications offer a complete framework for understanding their various uses, designs, and practical applications.
By Location: The landscape of storage tanks unfolds through categorizations based on location, giving rise to above-ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, semi-underground storage tanks, offshore storage tanks, and subsea storage tanks.
By Oil Type: Further refinement occurs based on the type of oil held captive, leading to categories such as crude oil storage tanks, fuel oil storage tanks, lubricating oil storage tanks, edible oil storage tanks, and fire protection water storage tanks.
By Use: Tanks are further parsed based on their specific utility, drawing distinctions between storage tanks for production and those earmarked specifically for oil storage.
By Form: The physical contours of the tanks dictate their categorization, with delineations such as vertical storage tanks, horizontal storage tanks, and other permutations.
By Structure: The structural blueprint becomes a pivotal factor, giving rise to classifications such as fixed roof storage tanks, floating roof storage tanks, and spherical storage tanks.
By Size: The dimensions of the storage tanks impart a distinctive classification, with large storage tanks (above 100m3) typically adopting a vertical configuration, while smaller tanks (below 100m3) lean towards a horizontal orientation.
By Oil Type: Further refinement occurs based on the type of oil held captive, leading to categories such as crude oil storage tanks, fuel oil storage tanks, lubricating oil storage tanks, edible oil storage tanks, and fire protection water storage tanks.
By Use: Tanks are further parsed based on their specific utility, drawing distinctions between storage tanks for production and those earmarked specifically for oil storage.
By Form: The physical contours of the tanks dictate their categorization, with delineations such as vertical storage tanks, horizontal storage tanks, and other permutations.
By Structure: The structural blueprint becomes a pivotal factor, giving rise to classifications such as fixed roof storage tanks, floating roof storage tanks, and spherical storage tanks.
By Size: The dimensions of the storage tanks impart a distinctive classification, with large storage tanks (above 100m3) typically adopting a vertical configuration, while smaller tanks (below 100m3) lean towards a horizontal orientation.
Distinctive Features of Storage Tanks
Storage tanks exhibit a range of distinctive features that contribute to their versatility and effectiveness in various industries. Understanding these key traits provides insights into the essential functions and applications of these integral structures.
1. Steel Storage Tank
Crafted from welded steel plates, these containers exhibit a nuanced selection of steel types contingent upon geographical considerations and required tank volume. The repertoire includes rimming steel (A3F), open-hearth killed steel (A3) for colder climates, and high-strength low alloy steel for voluminous tanks.
2. Vault Storage Tank
Acknowledged for its simplicity, the vault storage tank finds resonance in storing raw oil, refined oil, and aromatic products. With an unassuming structure, it is ubiquitously utilized across various industries, typically boasting volumes within the range of 1000-10000m3.
3. Inner Floating Roof Storage Tank
This innovative design integrates a floating roof within a fixed vault storage tank. The floating roof dynamically adjusts with the oil surface, effectively curbing volatile medium loss and isolating the stored material from the surrounding air, thus mitigating fire and explosion risks.
4. Outer Floating Roof Storage Tank
Comprising a floating roof in sync with variations in medium storage, this tank type features an annular sealing device. Outer floating roof tanks are predominant in sizable storage facilities, particularly for crude oil, fuel oil, and heavy oil.
5. Horizontal Cylindrical Storage Tank
Renowned for its resilience against both positive and negative pressure, horizontal cylindrical storage tanks contribute to reduced evaporation loss and fire risk. The batch-manufacturing feasibility facilitates seamless transportation to construction sites, finding applications across diverse scales from small distribution oil depots to expansive enterprises.
6. Spherical Storage Tank
Distinguished by its pressure-resistant and material-saving attributes, the spherical storage tank holds sway in liquefied petroleum systems and serves as a repository for substances necessitating higher pressure conditions.
7. Non-metallic Storage Tank
The spectrum of non-metallic storage tanks encompasses options such as clay, brick, stone, reinforced concrete, FRP, and rubber tanks. Noteworthy for their steel-conserving attributes, these tanks epitomize excellent corrosion resistance and an extended service life. The non-metallic materials additionally contribute to reduced thermal conductivity, curbing temperature fluctuations within the tank and subsequently mitigating the risk of evaporation and fire.
8. Underground and Semi-underground Storage Tank
The underground oil storage tank is distinguished by having its highest oil level situated below the lowest elevation of the surrounding area by 0.2m, with a substantial soil cover. This design minimizes loss and fire risks. Conversely, the semi-underground storage tank boasts a burial depth exceeding half of its height, with the highest oil level not surpassing the lowest elevation of the adjacent area by 2m.
9. Above-ground Storage Tank
Pervasive in contemporary oil refining enterprises, the above-ground storage tank is characterized by a foundation equal to or higher than the lowest elevation of the adjacent area or a buried depth less than half of its height. While these tanks offer ease of construction, management, and maintenance, they are associated with notable evaporation losses and an elevated fire risk.
Crafted from welded steel plates, these containers exhibit a nuanced selection of steel types contingent upon geographical considerations and required tank volume. The repertoire includes rimming steel (A3F), open-hearth killed steel (A3) for colder climates, and high-strength low alloy steel for voluminous tanks.
2. Vault Storage Tank
Acknowledged for its simplicity, the vault storage tank finds resonance in storing raw oil, refined oil, and aromatic products. With an unassuming structure, it is ubiquitously utilized across various industries, typically boasting volumes within the range of 1000-10000m3.
3. Inner Floating Roof Storage Tank
This innovative design integrates a floating roof within a fixed vault storage tank. The floating roof dynamically adjusts with the oil surface, effectively curbing volatile medium loss and isolating the stored material from the surrounding air, thus mitigating fire and explosion risks.
4. Outer Floating Roof Storage Tank
Comprising a floating roof in sync with variations in medium storage, this tank type features an annular sealing device. Outer floating roof tanks are predominant in sizable storage facilities, particularly for crude oil, fuel oil, and heavy oil.
5. Horizontal Cylindrical Storage Tank
Renowned for its resilience against both positive and negative pressure, horizontal cylindrical storage tanks contribute to reduced evaporation loss and fire risk. The batch-manufacturing feasibility facilitates seamless transportation to construction sites, finding applications across diverse scales from small distribution oil depots to expansive enterprises.
6. Spherical Storage Tank
Distinguished by its pressure-resistant and material-saving attributes, the spherical storage tank holds sway in liquefied petroleum systems and serves as a repository for substances necessitating higher pressure conditions.
7. Non-metallic Storage Tank
The spectrum of non-metallic storage tanks encompasses options such as clay, brick, stone, reinforced concrete, FRP, and rubber tanks. Noteworthy for their steel-conserving attributes, these tanks epitomize excellent corrosion resistance and an extended service life. The non-metallic materials additionally contribute to reduced thermal conductivity, curbing temperature fluctuations within the tank and subsequently mitigating the risk of evaporation and fire.
8. Underground and Semi-underground Storage Tank
The underground oil storage tank is distinguished by having its highest oil level situated below the lowest elevation of the surrounding area by 0.2m, with a substantial soil cover. This design minimizes loss and fire risks. Conversely, the semi-underground storage tank boasts a burial depth exceeding half of its height, with the highest oil level not surpassing the lowest elevation of the adjacent area by 2m.
9. Above-ground Storage Tank
Pervasive in contemporary oil refining enterprises, the above-ground storage tank is characterized by a foundation equal to or higher than the lowest elevation of the adjacent area or a buried depth less than half of its height. While these tanks offer ease of construction, management, and maintenance, they are associated with notable evaporation losses and an elevated fire risk.
In summary, storage tanks, especially the widely used vertical cylindrical design, are pivotal in the oil industry. Major classifications, including location, oil type, use, form, structure, and size, offer a comprehensive understanding of their applications. The distinctive features, such as material diversity and innovative designs like inner floating roofs, underscore their versatility. Overall, storage tanks are essential for safely storing a diverse range of oil products.
