Metal tanks: storage of liquids at ambient temperature

Ambient-temperature storage tanks make up almost all tank farm capacities, as they are clearly the logical and natural solution for storing liquids: products are kept in the physical state in which the site temperature maintains them.

In this situation, and depending on their degree of volatility, a greater or lesser vapor pressure builds up above the liquid.

When the latter is lower than atmospheric pressure, there is no effective pressure in the storage enclosure, and atmospheric tanks can be used.

If, on the other hand, this vapour pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure, the storage capacity is subject to internal pressure. This is always the case for liquids whose normal boiling point is below ambient temperature. For these products, it is necessary to use pressurized tanks, designed and engineered to withstand this constraint.