Tanks, Drums, and VesselsTanks, Drums, and Vessels

Unit 9

Learning Objectives

• TLW be able to describe the following about tanks, drums, and vessels used in the process industry:– Types– Uses– Materials of Construction– Monitoring and Maintenance– Hazards and Mitigations

TypesTypes

• Tanks• Drums• Vessels

– Reactors– Distillation columns

Tanks, Drums, and VesselsTanks, Drums, and Vessels

Used for Storing• Inputs (Raw Materials)• Outputs (Products, Co-Products,

Intermediates)• Waste• Recoverable wasteTwo types of Storage Tanks

• Atmospheric

• Pressurized

Materials of Construction

• Tanks and vessels are usually always made of metal.– Thickness increases as does pressure– Special alloys for corrosives

• Drums– Metal– Plastic for corrosives, additives– Cardboard - additives– DOT specs

Terms for Tanks, Drums, Terms for Tanks, Drums, and Vesselsand Vessels

• Floating Roof• Sphere• Foam Chamber• Sump (Possum

Belly)• Mixer• Gauge Hatch• Manway or

Manhole

• Blanket• Vapor Recovery• Vortex Breaker• Baffle • Weir• Boot

Vessels and PressureVessels and Pressure

• Cylinders or drum shaped – generally atmospheric tanks

• High volatility materials – stored in pressurized tanks

• Round tanks (sphere) - pressure• Bullet and spherical tanks -

pressure• Hemispheroids – low pressure• Spheroids – low pressure

Cone roof tank

Floating roof tank

Foam system

Manway

Vortex Breaker

Nitrogen blanket

Tank SymbolsTank Symbols

HazardsHazards

• Overfilling• Putting in wrong or off spec material• Misalignment of blanket system• Misalignment of pump system• Pulling a vacuum while emptying a tank• Overpressuring a tank • Static electricity (dust or vapor

explosion)• Corrosion or mechanical damage

Hazards

• Describe potential impacts of these hazards on last– Individual– Equipment– Production (Quality)– Environment

ReactorsReactors

• Where Chemical Reactions Occur– Fixed Bed– Stirred– Fluidized bed reactor– Shell and Tube

Fixed Bed ReactorFixed Bed Reactor

Fixed bed reactor

Stirred ReactorStirred Reactor

Fluidized Bed ReactorFluidized Bed Reactor

FluidizeFluidized-Bed d-Bed

ReactorReactor

Shell and TubeShell and Tube

Dikes, Firewalls and Dikes, Firewalls and Containment WallsContainment Walls

• Contain materials• Isolate• Minimize damage• Protect people, assets, and

environment

Tank DikesTank Dikes

Monitoring and Monitoring and MaintenanceMaintenance

• Abnormal noise – pinging/popping• Abnormal heat• Monitor levels and pressures• Vibrations – pumps/mixers• Check firewalls, sumps and drains,

drain valves on dikes - rainfall• Odors/leaks• Corrosion checks, paint

Independent Practice

• Research project – see handout