Do you want to upgrade your edible oil plant? Or are you struggling to store edible oil and by-products safely? Here’s your comprehensive guide to help you get the most appropriate storage tank that enhances your production line.
Choosing the correct storage tank for your oil processing plant is an important decision that affects your facility's safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. Because of the petroleum industry's constant change, there has been an increasing need for dependable storage solutions.
The most appropriate storage tank can help ensure that your plant runs smoothly while avoiding potential risks. This blog will discuss some essential factors to consider when choosing storage tanks for oil processing plants and their optimum placing within oil processing plants.
Storage Tank Market Size and its Importance
The global oil storage terminal market was USD 32.71 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow from USD 33.86 billion in 2024 to USD 44.59 billion in 2032 at a CAGR of 3.5%.
This growth is due to rising energy requirements and the expansion of chemical and petrochemical industries coupled with the growing need for efficient storage systems.
Different sectors are heavily dependent on tanks, particularly in oil refining, where they perform vital roles in maintaining product quality. Partnering with good industrial storage tanks manufacturers can create a continuous supply chain that complies with environmental regulations.
Storage Tank Applications and Industries
Different types of storage tanks are used across different sectors for the containment of liquids, gases or other substances. Some common uses include:
Chemical processing: Tanks are employed in storing raw materials, intermediate chemicals or finished products.
Cosmetics: Specialized Tanks store ingredients and finished goods to preserve quality and safety standards.
Food & Beverage: Ingredients like water or milk are kept fresh by being placed in tanks alongside other foods that comply with health standards.
Oil fuels: Storage (for crude oil/petroleum products/fuel) ensures continuity in supply besides averting danger.
Paper pulp manufacturing: For holding chemicals, water as well and pulp items.
Pharmaceutical sector: It stores active ingredients and final pharmaceuticals safely.
Plastics production: Raw materials, including chemicals go into specific containers and then stored here till required.
Power generation (generation): Materials such as fuel, water etc., needed for power generation purposes will be kept here.
Energy generation: oil, gas and renewable energy sectors.
Water applications: Used for industrial water supply wastewater treatment, among other uses.
Types of Storage Tanks in Your Edible Oil Processing Plants
To choose the appropriate storage tank for your oil process plant, you must assess various factors such as the nature of the oil product, capacity requirements, environmental conditions and legislative compliance. Here are some essential points to consider to choose storage tank type:
Fixed Roof Tanks: These tanks are most commonly used as low-volatility liquid storage units. Their fixed roof design minimizes vapor loss and is cost-effective for large-scale storage. Best Use Case: Shell Deer Park Refinery, Texas, USA.
Floating Roof Tanks: These tanks are meant to store volatile liquids where their roofs float at the top level of any contained liquid. Therefore, they minimize evaporation and emissions. They work best with crude oils or any other highly volatile products. Best Use Case: Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura Refinery, Saudi Arabia.
Bullet Tanks: These cylindrical tanks store high-pressure liquids and gases, such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and ammonia. They are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, so they are widely used in the chemical industry. Best Use Case: BASF Chemical Plant, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Spherical Tanks: These tanks, like bullet tanks, are used for storing high-pressure liquids and gases. Their spherical shape helps distribute the pressure evenly, making them suitable for large-volume and high-pressure storage. Best Use Case: ExxonMobil Refinery, Singapore.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Tank Type
Now you know the different types of oil storage tanks and their real examples. Here are the several facts that you should consider before choosing the tank type best suited for your industrial operations.
Nature of the oil product: The choice of tank is influenced by the chemical composition of oil products, their volatility and their viscosity. For example, crude oil may require floating roof tanks to minimize vapor loss, while refined products may be stored in fixed roof tanks.
Capacity requirements: Tank size and type will depend on how much oil needs to be stored. In other words, large-scale storage might need many tanks or a combination of different tank types.
Environmental conditions and regulations: A storage tank should be selected considering local factors like climate, seismic activities as well as environmental regulations. Safety and environmental protection can only be achieved through compliance with standards such as API 650 (for welded steel tanks).
Pressure requirements: Ensure that the tank can withstand the necessary operating pressures in order to store edible oil safely.
Temperature tolerance: Choose a material for tanks that can manage temperature inconsistencies and yet maintain the quality of oil.
Corrosion resistance: Select materials that do not corrode, especially in situations where they will be exposed to moisture or corroding agents.
Regulatory compliance: Ensure that the tank design complies with all local and industry laws, specifically those concerning leak avoidance.
Installation space: Evaluate available spaces and ensure that the tank is sited safely, particularly when the oil could catch fire.
Maintenance needs: Find a tank type that is easily accessible for cleaning purposes and other improvement activities aimed at promoting its long-term efficiency.
Longevity and durability: Buy a storage facility that will still be useful years after installation thereby reducing incessant replacement needs and sustaining operations uninterruptedly.
Cost and budget: Balance cost considerations, quality, volume, and safety features needed to store edible oil.
Transportation and logistics: Purchase tanks that can be easily moved from one place to another; this is particularly relevant if the oil has to travel regularly.
Environmental impact: Pay attention to environmentally sustainable materials and models that decrease tanks' ecological footprint, especially when there are spills or leaks.
The next thing that can affect your industry storage is the tank's material. Let’s examine how you should select the storage terminals based on the material.
Material Selection for Storage Tanks
The material used for constructing a storage tank is essential since it determines its durability, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with the stored oil product. Common materials that are used in fabricating storage tanks include:
Carbon Steel: Carbon steel is strong and durable; hence, it is commonly used in storage tanks due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to work with various types of oils. However, it can rust if not maintained properly.
Stainless Steel: These are special tanks that resist corrosion better than any other metallic material; therefore, they are ideal for holding highly corrosive substances or extremely pure compounds. They have higher costs compared to carbon steel but require less upkeep.
Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP): FRP tanks are lightweight yet corrosion-resistant, so they can store a wide range of chemicals and petroleum products. They are common, where corrosion may lead to significant economic problems.
Critical Considerations for Material Selection:
Corrosion resistance: The material should be resistant to corrosion, especially if the tank will store corrosive products or be exposed to harsh environmental conditions.
Cost and maintenance requirements: Although stainless steel is cheap to maintain, its initial cost is high. Carbon steel may be less expensive but needs regular servicing.
Compatibility with stored oil types: The material must not react with a particular category of petroleum or other chemicals used in industry, thereby leading to contamination or breakdown of the tank.
Design Considerations for Storage Tanks
Capacity and Dimensions: The size of the tank should match this plant's storage needs and available space. Large tanks can result in inefficiencies, while tiny ones can affect operations.
Safety Features: Pressure relief valves, secondary containment systems and fire suppression mechanisms are some of the safety features that can be incorporated in an oil storage facility to mitigate risks associated with crude oil handling.
Environmental Impact: This includes emissions from the storage tank, potential spills and waste management. Using floating roof tanks for volatile products is one of several environmentally friendly practices that could reduce a plant’s carbon footprint.
Thickness of the wall and structural stability: The walls of storage tanks in an edible oil processing plant should be thick enough to withstand the oils’ static pressure without deformation. In other words, there must be no leakage due to poor integrity, which results in accidental product loss and contamination.
Seismic and wind load resistance: The seismic and graded wind loads for storage tanks in an edible oil processing plant, especially in earthquake-prone regions or those with high winds, must be in place. This ensures that during severe weather conditions, these tanks remain stable and do not collapse, thereby preventing any harm to plant operations and stored items.
Safety and emergency systems: It is crucial to include safety equipment inside tanks so that leaks, fires or other emergencies can be dealt with immediately. In addition, safety equipment needs to be integrated with the rest of the company’s safety plans to reduce risks to human beings, machinery, assets and the environment at large.
Determining the Optimal Location for Your Storage Tank
Selecting the most appropriate storage tank is one thing, and placing it in your plant is another. The location of your storage tank can make or break your entire production unit. For any refinery owner, the optimum location of the storage tank depends on the easy proximity of the solvent extraction plant and refinery unit.
Here are some of your processing units that need a dedicated suitable storage tank for maximizing your production:
- Edible oil refinery plant
- Solvent extraction plant
- Reverse Osmosis plant
- Packaging plant
- Acid Oil Plant
- Wastewater treatment plant
- Steam Plant (Boiler)
All these above different plants require dedicated storage to make the most of your refinery unit. However, you should also consider the below factors that can affect the location of your storage plant.
Proximity to Processing Units
Oil can be transported from the solvent extraction plant to the refinery plant. Having a storage tank close enough to these process units can provide easy access. This reduces transportation expenses and energy used during transportation and avoids accidents resulting from spills.
Safety and risk mitigation
When choosing a location, safety should be taken into account. Building an underground storage tank for a solvent extraction plant can mitigate possible risks, such as chemical leaks, fire outbreaks or spillages. This can also prevent secondary containment, ensure safe distances from critical infrastructure and carry out emergency response strategies.
Availability of space
Future expansion and maintenance needs should be considered to ensure there is enough land area and space for the storage tank. The site must be easily accessible for vehicles, equipment, and personnel.
Environmental and regulations
When deciding where to put your storage tanks, it is critical to comply with environmental regulations. The site must meet local, state and federal regulations on emissions, water quality and land use. Environmental impact assessment can help identify potential risks and mitigation strategies.
Risk of Natural Disasters
It is essential to assess an area's vulnerability to disasters such as floods or earthquakes. A location with reduced risk means lesser damage and downtime.
Space for Future Expansion
The plan must include additional storage tanks or other infrastructure possibilities that will enable the business to grow in the future without changing its location.
Ease of Maintenance and Inspection
Position the tank where it can be easily accessed, which is essential for regular checks and servicing without causing any delays in the workflow.
Proximity to Emergency Services
A good location is near emergency services such as fire stations and hospitals so that if an accident occurs, immediate response can be obtained.
Security and Access Control
The best spot should allow easy monitoring activities, hence controlling access by unauthorized personnel and reducing the likelihood of sabotage.
Cost of Land Acquisition and Site Preparation
Determine the cost of buying the land. Maximizing ROI requires striking a balance between cost-effectiveness and strategic positioning.
How to determine the cost of a storage tank?
Cost matters significantly in choosing a storage tank. Initial costs, as well as long-term expenses related to the tank, should be considered.
Initial Installation Costs: These include the purchase cost of the tank, transportation, site preparation, and installation. Materials choice and the type of tank will strongly affect those costs.
Operating and Maintenance Costs: There are ongoing costs associated with running a storage tank, such as energy used, routine maintenance carried out necessitating examination activities, and any repairs that might become necessary. Over time, tanks constructed using materials resistant to corrosion may demand lower maintenance costs.
Total Cost of Ownership: This encompasses initial costs, operating costs, and probably upgrade or replacement expenses over the tank's lifespan. A high-quality tank with lower long-term costs may be more economical than a cheaper, poorer-quality option.
The material grade and thickness required for each application: The cost of a storage tank is determined by selecting suitable material grades and thicknesses that meet the specific needs of an application and guarantee its durability and safety.
Stress analysis and structural integrity calculations: To ensure the tank is strong enough to withstand operational loads, stress analysis and structural integrity calculations should be conducted, which will also influence its overall cost.
Seismic and wind load considerations: Considering seismic and wind loads in the design process guarantees the stability of tanks under extreme conditions, thus affecting their price.
Welding procedures and quality control: The tank's construction quality and cost depend directly on the choice of welding procedures and the strictness of quality control measures employed.
Corrosion allowance and additional protective layers: Corrosion allowances and protective layers increase materials costs but are essential to extending tanks' life spans.
Precision in fabrication tolerances and assembly: Tank performance can be assured by exact fabrication tolerances along with assembly, thus affecting manufacturing complexities plus cost implications.
Specialized coatings and linings for chemical resistance: Specialized coatings and linings to resist chemical corrosion add to the costs of tanks, although they are necessary for long-term protection under harsh environments.
Design for thermal expansion and contraction: Material selection and costs depend on designing for thermal expansion or contraction, which would enable tanks to withstand temperature variations.
Advanced leak detection and monitoring systems: Safety requirements demand that advanced leak detection and monitoring systems be integrated into the whole system, thereby increasing the total project cost.
Integration of cathodic protection systems: Inclusion of a cathodic protection system helps to prevent corrosion hence making a tank last longer but more expensive at startup.
Compliance with API, ASME, or other industry standards: Design complexity may, among other things, impact tank reliability and safety; therefore, compliance with industry standards like API or ASME needs to be taken into account, as this influences tank design and cost.
Instrumentation and control system integration: Tanks' functional requirements sometimes necessitate the use of costly instrumentation and control systems that maximize their functionality but also increase their cost.
Secondary containment and spill control features: The presence of secondary containment plus spill control features ensures extra environmental safeguarding, thereby influencing overall price.
Fatigue analysis for cyclic loading conditions: Fatigue analysis should be carried out on all types of shells subjected to cyclic loading if they are meant to withstand repeated stresses over time, which can affect design and cost considerations.
Conclusion
A significant number of factors come into play when deciding on a suitable storage vessel for an oil processing plant, including the kind of oil product being manufactured, capacity requirements, desired material selection criteria needed, design components included, and the location chosen.
Thoroughly reviewing these aspects and considering the latest industry trends, as reflected in statistics, can help make a well-informed decision. By partnering with a company like N&T Engitech to find a suitable product and a good location, your oil processing plant will be ready to meet the ever-changing energy demand.
