Overview
ABSTRACT
Storage tanks at ambient temperature constitute almost the totality of the capacity of storage systems. When the vapor pressure above the stored liquid is below atmospheric pressure, atmospheric tanks are used. When, on the contrary, this vapor pressure is higher than the atmospheric pressure, storage capacity is subjected to internal pressure. This is the case for liquids whose temperature at the normal boiling point is below the ambient temperature. These products require the use of pressurized tanks.
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Read the articleAUTHOR
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Régis CHAMAYOU: Former design manager for Entrepose – DB (EDB) and Société nouvelle des constructions métalliques de Provence (SN-CMP), part of the Chicago Bridge and Iron Co (CBI) group. - Updated by Bernard BOUCHEZ
INTRODUCTION
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.
The article "Metal tanks for liquid storage" is the subject of several fascicles:
General information [1] ;
Storage at room temperature (this fascicle) ;
Temperature-controlled storage [3].
Subjects are not independent of one another; readers will often need to refer to other issues. The issue number is followed by the paragraph or figure number.
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KEYWORDS
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Hydraulic, aerodynamic and thermal machines
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Metal tanks: storage of liquids at ambient temperature
Atmospheric tanks
