EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS Shi EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS Floating roof tanks are designed for the storage and handling of large volumes of volatile liquids. Bliss anaro1EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS ‘As the name implies, the roof floats on the surface of the quid. This arrangement eliminates the vapour space above the liquid surface and results in alow fire risk and corrosion problem. As the losses in a fixed tank roof result from evaporation, emptying and filing the tank, and breathing resulting from temperature changes. Floating roof tanks greatly reduce these emission sources. Bhi) EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS. The basic features of the roof responsible for these benefits is a roof designed to float in contact with the liquid being stored and a seal that covers the space between the roof and the tank shell Seis angr012EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS Floating roof tanks comprise of a wind girder near the top of the tank. The girder stiffens the tank shell and provides circumferential support to the top of the tank when floating roof is low. The floating roof s a fat circular pan that fits neatly inside the tank. itis provided with a system of flexible “shoes” to close the gap between the roof and the tank shell BCs EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS: ‘The primary advantages of the fioating roof tanks are very low evaporation losses and also negligible. filing losses. ‘Secondary advantages are the absence of a vapour space above the liquid (since the roof rests cn the liquid) and the immediate dissipation by the floating roof of any static electric charges on the liquid SUM art872012EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS Note: These considerations do not apply when the floating roof is resting on its supports, that is, when the tank is empty or nearly empty. In this condition, the tank should be considered in all operational safety aspects as if it were a fixed root tank. BH. EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS The basic component of external (open-top) floating roof tanks include, but not limited to the following:- SUM art8i2012EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS. ~A.cylindrical shell and pan-type, pontocn. and double deck type floating roof —Primary andlor secondary annular rim seals attached to the floating roof perimeter. —Vents, flame arresters, foam systems, fof fittings, shunts, anti-rotation devices, movable stairways ad ladders that attached to or penetrate the roof. Roof drains to drain water from “BClN aniar012MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM FILL HEIGHTS. ON FLOATING ROOF TANKS Internal mixers and tank roof support legs limit the lower roof travel in floating roof tanks. The lower operating limit is set so that the tank roof remains. floating at all times. The ugper operating limit on most tanks is ahautt three feet from the top of floating roof tanks. B EST TYPES OF EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS There are three types of floating roof tanks. The main difference between them is the design and operation of their roofs. Seis) 411812012PAN TYPE FLOATING ROOF TANK ‘The pan type floating roof tank consisted of a single deck floating roof with a vertical rim at the periphery Bl Sul 4rie2012PAN TYPE FLOATING ROOF TANK Pan type roots suffer from the following disadvantages: —Alleak in the roof will cause it to sink; —The stability might be seriously affected by superimposed loads of snow, ice, or rain; —They are not suitable for the storage of petroleum liquids of Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) greater than 0.34 bar au Bish PONTOON TYPE FLOATING ROOF TANK The roof has annular pontoons around the edge and a deck of single thickness in the centre. The Upper surface of the pontoon is pitched down ‘towards the centre for drainage, while the lower surface is ptched upwards to the centre of the roof to trap vapours. SUN artai2012Sl tI PONTOON TYPE FLOATING ROOF TANK In addition to oroviding greater buoyancy to the roof, the pontoon acts as an insulator, therefore the liquid at the underside of the pontoon is insulated from solar heat and maintains contact ‘with the pontcon, The deck of single thickness is free to balloon upwards to provide space for such vapours that may form due to solar radiation. Seis 1872012PONTOON TYPE FLOATING ROOF TANK \Vapours trapped beneath the centre deck provide an insulating blanket until such a ime as they condense. When the centre deck cools, the trapped vapour condenses and the centre deck assumes its original contact position on the liquid. Pontoon roofs are designed to float even if the ‘centre and two of the compartments are punctured. Sit DOUBLE DECK FLOATING ROOF TANK ‘The double deck type of floating roof consists of two decks separated by circular and radical bulkheads which divide the space between the deck into a number of compartments which are very stable under load and ensures that the roof remains afloat in liquid should any two compartments be flooded. Since the two decks are separated by a dead air space which serves to insulate the product from the heat of the sun SH antei2012 10DOUBLE DECK FLOATING ROOF TANK Double deck floating roofs provide the maximum buoyancy and stability due to dead air space between the double decks. The roof floats over the liquid surface and remains in contact with the liquid surface. As a result, it is much more efficient in preventing the vapour losses in open too tanks. BUH Seis) aria2012 "DOUBLE DECK FLOATING ROOF TANK Note: The pressure immediately below the ficating roof is roughly atmospheric and for this reason, floating roof tanks are not recommended for the storage of liquids whose vapour pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure at the storage temperature. Seis FLOATING ROOF TANK ACCESSORIES ‘The most common accessories for each type of tank have been described in the section dealing ‘with general constructional features of vertical and cylindrical welded storage tanks. Beside the ‘common accessories, the floating roof tanks are provided with these pertinent accessories described below for safe, proper and efficient ‘operation. BUA anar012 2WIND GIRDERS As fioating roof tanks are usually open-top tanks, ‘he top of the shell has to be reinforced by a wind girder against "biowing-in’ in high wind conditions. ‘The size of the wind girder depends upon the size ‘of the tank. In some cases, the wind girder is used -as a walkway. Seis TYPES OF ROOF Pontoon L Wind Girders Double Deck me Sui arter2012 1%ROOF SUPPORTS Seis ROOF SUPPORT LEG Roof suppotts are required to keep the roof from ‘fouling the inlet and outlet lines or any tank heaters ‘that may be in the tank. BEM 4182012 4ROOF SUPPORT LEG Roof supperts or “legs” are constructed from pipe and have two positions ~ a lower position ‘approximately 2'6” above the bottom of the tank and a 6’ postion, which is known as the cleaning position used when itis necessary to go in and ‘clean the tank. There are sufficient supports to distribute the weight ofthis roof evenly. Seis ROOF SUPPORT LEG The floating roof is supported, when itis not aflozt, by a number of tubular legs. Each leg is free to move within a sleeve attached to the roof, the position of the leg being fixed at one or two points by a securing pin. antaror 6Brus) anigr2012ANTI ROTATION DEVICES Each floating roof has an anti-rotation device. Its purpose is to prevent rotation or sideway movement of the floating roof which might cause damage to the rim seal or accessories such as ladders, drains or gauging equipment. Seis) ANTI ROTATION DEVICES A.common device used in open top floating roof ‘tanks is the guide pole. It is fixed at the top and bottom of the tank and passes through a sealed opening in the floating roof. Acombination gauge well and a guide pole assembly is often used to permit manual gauging of the tank as an anti-rotation device. Seis) 41812012 7FLOATING ROOF TANK DRAIN SYSTEMS All tanks of floating roof design require drains to remove rainwater from the tank top. Some floating roof drains employ flexible or articulated drain lines. that direct the water through the tank shell into the containment area or directly to a dispcsal area ‘These drains can be replaced with a greatly improved pivot master drain system which provided problem free operation SCAN Bhi 4/18/20'2ane2012 BH ARTICULATE JOINTS AND HOSE DRAIN SYSTEM Drains with swing or articulated joints project down into the bottom of the tank. The articulated joints compensate for the rise and fall of the tank's contents and are connected to a drain valve, Beis 19ARTICULATE JOINTS AND HOSE DRAIN SYSTEM The gate valve is kept tightly closed, except when itis necessary to drain off water after a fall of rain. During srells of very cold weather, serious damage may be caused to the drainage system by ‘the freezing of any water that may have been left inthe drain Seis arig2012 20ARTICULATE JOINTS AND HOSE DRAIN SYSTEM The drain may rupture when the water freezes, ‘and when the ice melts with a rise in temperature, petroleum liquid may enter the drain. I, at this time, the gate valve is not securely closed, petroleum liquid may flood the bunded area around the tank. SUM ARTICULATE JOINTS AND HOSE DRAIN SYSTEM Flow of petroleum via the drain to the roof is normally prevented by a non-return valve in the roof drain. In addition to normal roof drains, double deck roofs are fitted with emergercy drains, capable of discharging rainfall in excess of design capacity directly into the product. Single deck roofs are not fitted with emergency drains, Beis anigi2012 2ARTICULATE JOINTS AND HOSE DRAIN SYSTEM ‘Most tanks are provided with an additional roof drain line to cape with excessive rain water and for the reasons that one drain line may be needed to isolate in the event of failure. For this purpose all roof drain lines are valved individually at the tank. BiH ARTICULATE JOINTS AND HOSE DRAIN SYSTEM ‘The second line enables the fire fighting water to be safely drained from the tank roof during a fire. Failure to drain water from the tank in this situation increases the risk of sinking the roof and ‘escalating the fire. Beis) aniei20124naro12 PIVOT MASTER FLOATING ROOF DRAIN SYSTEMS The Pivot Master is basically a steel pipe drain system with flexible joints that withstand an extremely wide range of service conditions. SUNPIVOT MASTER FLOATING ROOF DRAIN SYSTEMS The Pivot Master system effectively provides positive roof drainage with maintenance-free and worry-free operation. The results in extended service life, with no hose kinking or clogging, and there 1s no stress loading on O-rings, bearings or seals. SiH Shi artg2012Bris ane2012artei2012 ROOF ACCESS LADDERS Roof Access Ladders provide safe access from the top of the tank to the deck of the floating roof. The ladder is hinged at the top and is supported on. wheels at the bottom, which run on tracks attached to the roof deck. In some cases, the stair reads are self-leveling Stil arROOF ACCESS LADDERS Roof access is not normally necessary during day- to-day operations and should be discouraged because BiH ROOF ACCESS LADDERS ~There is a risk of personnel being ‘overcome by vapour that may be escaping at an imperfectly fiting seal, ‘over and above the small amount of intentional venting from the rim vent. ‘When the roof is at a low level, natural ventilation is poor, and should petroleum vapour be escaping from the seal, it will tend to persist rather than be dispersed; ane Bis) antereo2ROOF ACCESS LADDERS —Unsuspected corrosion may cause local weakening of a roof plate to an extent that a portion of the roof may fail under a man's weight. Bis) ROOF ACCESS LADDERS For these reasons, no one should be allowed to descend toa roof unless he is wearing a suitable breathing apparatus and a life-line, the free-end of which is held by another person at the gauger's platform. Sui anta072 29ROOF ACCESS LADDERS ‘The stair and ladder of the storage tank should be regularly checked for corrosion, broken welds, worn treads, handrails loose and nuts and bolts missing for safe working conditions. During these checks any part of stair/ladder found to be in need of repair should be brought to the attention of the maintenance supervisor. Sti AUTOMATIC BLEEDER VENTS ‘Automatic Bleeder Vents are fitted in the floating roof decks to vent air from under the floating roof cn filing the tank initially. After the liquid has riser high enough to float the roof off its supports, the vent automatically closes. When emptying the tank, the vent automatically opens just before the roof lands on its supports, preventing a vacuum. from forming, BHT ansar2012RIM VENTS Rim Vents are sometimes provided to release any vapour that builds up in the rim space. SCAN EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF SEALS All floating roofs have some type of seal at the rim space that rides on the inner surface of the tank. ‘These seals are divided into two main groups namely, primary seals and secondary seals. Beis) angi2012 aEXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF SEALS The primary and secondary seais are generally flexible, durable and good abrasion resistance and ‘they are specially manufactured to conform to the ‘tank shell. Generally these seals are ‘manufactured to obtain the optimum in vapour emission. The primary seal is fitted belew the secondary seal on the tank. Br angi2012PRIMARY SEALS FOR AN EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANK “These seals are designed for use in an open top, paan, pontoon or double deck floating roof tanks. AST SCISSOR SHOE PRIMARY SEAL The Scisso Shoe Primary Seal for Aboveground Storage Tank floating roofs has superior long- lasting qualities and positive vapour sealing ability ‘due to hanger assembly which provides a constant ‘seal elevation, even with wider variations in rim ‘space. Seal gaps caused by uneven shoes are ‘thus eliminated by using unique scissor type hanger, push bar and push plate assemblies. Bish arter20°2 3Pelarteat Mins Mecninas Bes TYPE OF SEAL MATERIALS ‘The metallic shoe and scissor hanger assembly are manufactured from stainless steel or galvanised steel. For primary vapour barrier, a wide range of fabrics. such as PTFE Laminated Fluoropolymer (Teflon), Urethane, polyester reinforced, Buna-N Vinyl, fibreglass or nylon reinforced are used. CHT anta2012Pusher Bar and Pusher Plate Assemblies US Pons 45 109 902 aeiaos wonll anenot2 35ang2012 SECONDARY SEALS FOR AN EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANK BrillSEAL KING LOW PROFILE SECONDARY SEAL The Seal King Low Profile Secondary Seal is specifically designed to increase the capacity of a floating roof tank by increasing the maximum height, thus increasing the operating efficiency. BH) | Bit anta2012SEAL KING LOW PROFILE SECONDARY SEAL Itis compatible with any product normally stored in floating roof tanks, including benzene, naphtha, methanol, toluene, ETBE, TAME and MTBE. Its Unique construction combines unsurpassed vapour sealing ability with exceptional water shedding capabilities, greatly reducing the amount of rainwater entering the product. Bris TYPE OF SEAL MATERIALS Stainless steel is used in the construction of the seal, except that the vapour barrier is ‘manufactured from special fabric, and wiper is made from the PTFE, which is compatible with all products normally stored in floating roof tanks. ‘The fiting arrangement for Seal King Low Profile Secondary Seal Stil aniei20%2 38‘SECONDARY WIPER SEAL The Secondary Wiper Seal design combines unsurpassed gap sealing ability with exceptional service life and maintenance free operation. Each Secondary Wiper Seal is designed for a specific tank application. Bist ane2012Seis TYPE OF SEAL MATERIALS This seal is made from wide range of metallic and non-metallic materials depending upon storage product. PTFE laminated Fluoropolymer (Tefion) fabric is generally used in vapour barrier onstruction, Bist anrera2 40.ona a ssa toe Sma Tanto ‘Sects iene Sear Se eee aa ie oe oe ant ae “tees ei Shaan pecan ‘tone sar wat eT ECONO-FLEX AND FLEX-A-SEAL SECONDARY SEALS Ine Econo-Flex and Flex-A-Seal Secondary Seals are engineered to adapt to virtually every type of extemal floating roof design, accommodating wide variations in annual rim space, and compatible with various types of primary seals and rim connections... Each Econo-Flax and Flex-A-Seal ‘Secondary Seal is custom designed to fit a specific tank's characteristics Bis angro12 aECONO-FLEX AND FLEX-A-SEAL SECONDARY SEALS This assures that each seal will maintain a tight fit against the tank shell, all around the circumference of the floating roo’, and at all operating roof elevation levels. The Econo-Flex and Flex-A-Seal ‘Secondary Seals with their wide range of vapour barrier fabrics, combined with a BunaiNitrile PVC blend tip, assure a highly effective seal for a wide range of products and service conditions. SH) aniar2012TYPE OF SEAL MATERIALS ‘This seal s made from metallic and non-metallic materials depending upon the product to be stored. Vapour barrier is made from PTFE laminated Fluoropolymer fabric. Sis Beil anisizot2 43aner20%e MECHANICAL SHOE SEAL (PANTOGRAPH HANGER) The rigid floating roof, whether it be of the pan, pontoon, or double deck type, must be able to move freely up and down with the liquid. A reasonable clearance between the rim of the floating tank and the tank shell is necessary to allow lateral movernent of the tank roof, but if this gap is not effectively sealed, there will be a serious. loss of vapour. BHT Dae ee ose ier)MECHANICAL SHOE SEAL (PANTOGRAPH HANGER) The space between the rigid rim of the floating roof and the tank shell is closed by a mechanical shoe ‘seal, For the seal to remain against the shell of ‘the tank, a gentle pressure is applied by means of ‘the pantograph hanger. This construction allows: ‘the seal 10 ride over any local protrusions on the shell suraces without severe abrasions. The pantograph hangers also hold the root central ‘within the tank, SH MECHANICAL SHOE SEAL (PANTOGRAPH HANGER) ‘Adjustable springs secured to the tank roof are also used to secure the sealing ring in the space between the rigid rim of the floating roof and the tank shell SCAN anneo12 45FABRIC SEALS ll resisting fabrics such as nylon or synthetic rubber are used to make seals in a tube form to seal the space between the floating roof and the shell of the tank. Te tube is filled with liquid, or gas under slight pressure, The best feature of the fabric seal is its ability to conform to the tank shape so that, when correctly fitted, there should be no petroleum vapour in the space between the roof and shell above the fabric seal Bris FABRIC SEALS ‘An obvious weakness of the fabric seal design is the possibilty of the fabric being punctured by some sharp protrusion in the shell. This problem can be eliminated by making the seals from urethane foam fabric, which has resistance to hydrocarbon vapours. UST anre2012ACCESSORIES TO PREVENT HYDROCARBONS EMISSIONS Sri. GAUGE POLE FLOAT AND SLEEVE Gauge Pole Float and Sleeve have been designed +o significantly reduce hydrocarbon emissions from slotted geuge/guide poles used with external floating roof tanks. Brus aniereor aBiri Beis aniezor24182012 GAUGE POLE Sock The Gauge Pole Sock has been designed to eliminate hydrocarbon emissions from slotted gauge poles used on external and intemal floating roof tanks. This is the solution for eliminating slotted gauge pole emissions. Beil Seis) “0ane2o12GAUGE POLE SOCK “The Gauge Pole Sock features a specially formulated PTFE (Tefion) fabric that is impervious, ‘to weather, stored products, and ultraviolet rays, This unique Gauge Pole Sock is designed to accommodate full roof travel, expanding as the roof moves upward and compressing as the ‘oof moves downward, preventing the escape of hydrocarbon vapours at any roof position. BHT GAUGE POLE FLOAT BASIN Gauge Pole Float Basin provides a gauger a place to set the float while taking samples or level readings, it also provides a place to set sample bottles and gauging tape. The need for a gauge hatch is replaced by the convenient, lightweight, lifttop cover. Beis) anier2012 51aniar2012GAUGE POLE FLOAT BASIN Gauge Pole Float Basin has an engineered slope. ‘that allows the residual product from the float and chain to drain back into the gauge pole. No more mess due to pulling the float out of the well. TANK'S LEG SOCK Various regulatory agencies are now requiring that appurtenances such as Floating Roof Legs and Leg Sleeves be provided with an emissions control system, The Leg Sock has been designed to reduce hydrocarbon emissions from floating roof tanks. This is the solution for eliminating emissions through the leg and leg sleeve. Beil anar2or2anig2012TANK’S LEG SOCK The Leg Sock features either a specifically formulated Urethane Fabric with a UV Protective Coating or a PTFE Teflon fabric that is impervious ‘to weather, stored products and ultraviolet rays. Bris GROUNDING DEVICES All floating roofs must be in electrical contact with the tank shell, to bleed off static electrical charges which may accumulate at the product surface. Itis necessary to maintain the floating roof and shell at the same potential in order to prevent the possibility of an electrical discharge between the two. Bub 4nigr2012 55MARINE Mpring ARM WV breaker ood Winsvearion crane ao Xi SY ily zo | Movye |e eS — 1 Seu