From,

Ketan M Suthar (FEG-Baroda)

Types of Tanks
FLOATING ROOF TANKS
IFR

CONE ROOF TANKS (CR)

DOME ROOF TANK

EFR

(a) Advantage of Floating Roof Tanks

CONE ROOF TANKS

FLOATING ROOF TANKS

MINIMIZING VAPOR SPACE: (a) ELIMINATES FILLING LOSS

CONE ROOF
TANKS

FLOATING
ROOF TANK

MINIMIZING VAPOR SPACE: (b) REDUCES BREATHING LOSS

CONE ROOF TANKS

FLOATING ROOF TANKS

MINIMIZING VAPOR SPACE: (c) PROVIDES EFFECTIVE FIRE

PROTECTION AND LIGHTING SAFETY, IT ALSO INHIBITS ROOF AND
SHELL CORROSION

(b) Type of Floating Roof

There are a variety of deck options that may be exercised
depending on the service conditions of the stored product.
Single Deck Pan Type
Single Deck pontoon Type
Double Deck

Selection of a specific type of roof and tank depends on the

intended service conditions, such as the petroleum liquid
being stored, its vapor pressure and corrosive nature, and
the anticipated weather and loading conditions.

General Industry Trends in selection

Double deck floating roofs for large diameter tanks above 60 m dia. for
crude oil service (to conserve lighter end products) or otherwise and
very small diameter tanks less than 15m
Single deck floating roof tanks for most intermediate range tank diameters
Internal floating roof tanks for volatile, highly inflammable or value added
Products based on economics of advantages vs costs On the aforesaid
guidelines, a thumb rule classification of roof selection for various service
conditions may be made. A final selection would require a more detailed
investigation of process conditions during tank service and relative vapor
loss advantages gained by the use of various deck options.

SINGLE DECK (PONTOON TYPE) EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS

Available in standard sizes from 15 91.5 m diameter
Provides a cost effective solution, compared to the double deck, except in
the larger and very small sizes
Greater water carrying capacity while afloat
Prone to weldseam fatigue cracking from extended exposure to high wind
conditions
Sufficient pontoon volume to keep deck afloat with any two pontoon
compartments punctured
Pontoon area varies from 35% on small diameter roofs to 20% on large
diameter roofs
Pontoon underside slopes upward toward centre of roof to hold temperature
generated condensible vapors

SINGLE DECK EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS (EFR)

Curb Angle

Roling ladder

(typ)

Rim

Shell

Deck Plate

Pontoon

Single Deck Pontoon Type Floating Roof Tank

DOUBLE DECK EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS

Available in standard sizes from 9 122 m diameter
Most efficient solution, double deck provides good insulation over entire
liquid surface, most stable and maintenance free option for larger sizes
Limited water carrying capacity while afloat, water allowed to pass
through deck
Reduces impact of high winds on product, stable performance of deck under
such conditions
Emergency drains provided to accommodate 10 of rainfall in 24 hours
Roof designed to float directly on product, and stay afloat with any two
compartments punctured. Deck flexibility allows temperature generated
condensible vapor to be contained under center of deck

DOUBLE DECK EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS (FR)

DOUBLE DECK INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS (IFR)

Provides additional protection against wind and rain
Combines the all-weather performance of a cone roof tank with the
evaporation saving and fire protection qualities of a floating roof tank
Maximum protection against exposure or rim fires
Floating roof simultaneously combats corrosion and product deterioration
No drainage system required this eliminates maintenance of this item and
floating roof may be operated to lower levels
In lieu of pan type construction, special pontoon type decks can be provided
for more positive floatation and increased stability.
Shell/Roof vents provided for venting air-vapor mixture between the floating
deck and fixed roof during product pump in

DOUBLE DECK INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS (IFR)

(c) Components of Floating Roof

Rim Seals
All floating roof tanks have an annular space between tank shell and
floating Roof outer Rim.
Rim Seals are used to control evaporative losses in the Rim seal area.
Effective rim seal systems close the rim space, accommodate
irregularities between the floating roof and tank shell, and help to center
the Roof.
(a) Foam or Resilient Filled Seal - (Liquid or Vapor Mounted)
(b) Mechanical Shoe Seal
Liquid-Mouted Rim Seal
Means Rim Seal Mounted in a position resulting in the bottom of the seal
being normally in contact with the stored product surface.
Vapor-Mouted Rim Seal
Means Rim Seal Mounted in a position resulting in the bottom of the seal
being normally does not contact with the stored product surface.

(a) FOAM-FILLED SEAL

(VAPOR MOUNTED)

(a) RESILIENT-FILLED
(VAPOR MOUNTED)

(b) MECHANICAL SHOE

POLYURETHANE FABRIC
OR NEOPRANE

DETAIL OF FOAM SEAL (OCTAGONAL)

POLYURETHANE

(EXAMPLE) PARTS OF FOAM-FILLED SEAL (LIQUID MOUNTED)

Roof Drains
Permit Removal of rainwater from the top of Deck (FR)
(1) Closed type
(a) Swivel / Pivot Jointed Roof Drain
(b) Flexible Hose Roof Drain
(2) Open Type
(a) Flush Drain
(b) Overflow Drains
(Vapor Loss / Only for Double Decks)

PIPE DRAIN WITH SWING/PIVOT JOINTS

FLEXIBLE HOSE DRAIN

OPEN DRAIN

DOUBLE DECK EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANK

CENTER DRAIN PROFILE

DOUBLE DECK EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANK

REVERSE SLOPE PROFILE

Roof
Drain

Pipe
Support

Roof
Drain

EMERGENCY DRAINS

PARTS OF ADJUSTABLE / FIXED PIPE SUPPORT

Automatic Bleeder vents (Vacuum Breaker)

To vent the air from under a floating roof when the tank is
being filled initially.
To prevent formation of a vacuum under the roof when the
tank is being emptied Operations.
Venting capacity is usually provided for filling / emptying rates
of 2385 cu.m./hr. When greater pumping rates are specified,
additional capacity can be provided.
Bleeder vents must be located circumferentially closer to the
outer perimeter of the roof, where vapor aggregation is at its
maximum. On decks greater than 60 m. dia., additional vents
close to the centre are also provided.
Bleeder vents must not be located close to the inlet or mixers.

BLEEDER VENT

BLEEDER VENT

BLEEDER VENT

@ TANK FILLING

@ TANK EMPTYING

@ ROOF FLOATING

PARTS OF AUTOMATIC BLEEDER VENT

WORKING OF RIM VENT

PARTS OF RIM VENT

DECK MANWAY
Deck manway is use to enter the tank bottom from top of deck
by using internal ladder and also use as vent.
during maintanance when tank is empty.

PONTOON MANWAY
Pontoon Manway is use during hydrotest of pontoon.
Water is inlet from pontoon manway.
Generally size of Pontoon Manway is 20 NB.
Each compartment one & for big tank two required.
Pontoon manway is use to excess in pontoon for welding of
radial & circumferencial bulkhead to bottom deck also.

PARTS OF DECK MANWAY

PARTS OF PONTOON MANWAY

FOAM DAM SYSTEM FOR FIRE

PROTECTION OF RIM SEAL

An Example of
Deck Layout of
Floating Roof
Tank Size is
92m ID x 20M HT.
EFR Tank for
Crude Oil Storage

(d) Design Elements

Design Data
Material Selection
Shell Design
Bottom and Annular Design
Roof design ( For IFR)
Siesmic Analysis
Wind Loading Analysis

Stiffening Design
Anchorage Design
Roof Structure Design (For IFR)
Deck Buoyancy Calculations
Floating Roof Support Design
Floating Roof Drain Design (For EFR)

Codes & Standards

API 650 Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage most widely accepted
Codes designed and constructed to the standard provide the uniformity,
economy and safety for widespread use in the industry
Wide range of material selection Low strength steels may be used upto
38mm and high strength steels upto 44mm
Variable point method allows more sophisticated analysis of stresses for
improved use of steel on large tanks
Appendix E Siesmic Design Recommended Minimum Basic
Requirements
Appendix C External Floating Roof Design Requirements
Appendix H Internal Floating Roof Design Requirements
The British, Indian and other Standards are also available for tank design
where specified

(e) Testing

Vacuum Box testing of bottom and roof joints

DP / MP of shell to bottom joints
Plate Fabricated Neck - By Full Radiography
Annular to Shell - by Spot / Random Ultrasonic Testing
Tank shell - By filling water
All nozzle to Shell - MPT
Floating roof - By Floatation
Pontoon Bulkhead & Deck - By Vacuum Box / Oil-Chalk Test

(f) Painting & Coating

Outside surface coated to protect tank from corrosion and rusting caused
by climatic conditions.
Color / Type selected to minimize vapor losses.
For corrosive service, special interior paints such as epoxy, rubber etc.
may be applied in lieu of a corrosion allowance or use of high cost materials.
Any tank surface in touch with liquid is usually left unpainted. This would
include deck underside and tank shell inside except crude oil service.
For crude oil service, inside of tank bottom and first few feet of tank
shell are coated with a special epoxy to provide for the surfaces.

PARTS OF CONE ROOF TANKS

Lifting the Roof/Shell section of the tank.

The Roof and Top shell Section is Fit and being tacked from the Inside.

Dome Roof Knuckle Profile

Looking down on Knuckle

From,
Ketan M Suthar (FEG-Baroda)