Evaporation loss from storage tanks
- Matrix Service, Inc., Tulsa, OK (United States)
The loss of stored hydrocarbons has been a concern since the early days of the petroleum industry. Initially hydrocarbon liquids were stored in open tanks or in tanks with only fixed roof covers. The theory of storage tanks with floating roof was born in 1880. The initial concept was patented by William Birge of Franklin, Pennsylvania. Birge revealed his idea after the U.S.A. Petroleum industry suffered its first major industrial disaster. A tank with stored hydrocarbon liquid was struck directly by lightening. The results were catastrophic. After this incident a concept was revealed to the United States Patent office. The concept was noted as follows: {open_quotes}It is often the case that oil tanks are struck by lightning and when lightning stored beneath the roof is instantly ignited and explodes, the explosion either throwing the roof off from the tank or slivering it into pieces, thus exposing the oil and setting it afire. The result of such an accident is the loss of the tank itself which alone involves the loss of several thousand dollars. The object of my invention is to provide an oil tank such that the surface of oil in the tank will always be covered and protected regardless of the quantity of oil in the tank and no space be provided between the oil and cover for the accumulation of the escaping gases, and with these ends in view, my invention consists essentially, an oil tank with a floating cover{close_quotes}. Various concepts of floating roofs and seals have been presented over the last 100 years. Safety and conservation are still a primary concern for storage of hydrocarbon liquids. Environmental pollution from hydrocarbon emissions has become a major concern for the storage industry. This paper is an attempt to describe these devices and how to quantify the evaporation losses from stationary sources. The stationary losses from external floating roofs will primarily be addressed in this paper.
- OSTI ID:
- 146284
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950553-; TRN: 95:007831-0046
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International school of hydrocarbon measurement, Oklahoma City, OK (United States), 16-18 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the seventieth International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement; PB: 811 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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