The document discusses aluminium geodesic dome roofs that are used for new storage tank construction and retrofitting existing tanks. It describes the history and increasing use of domes, materials used, API design requirements, reasons for choosing domes including corrosion resistance and cost savings, and advantages of internal floating roofs with domes over external floating roofs.
The document discusses aluminium geodesic dome roofs that are used for new storage tank construction and retrofitting existing tanks. It describes the history and increasing use of domes, materials used, API design requirements, reasons for choosing domes including corrosion resistance and cost savings, and advantages of internal floating roofs with domes over external floating roofs.
The document discusses aluminium geodesic dome roofs that are used for new storage tank construction and retrofitting existing tanks. It describes the history and increasing use of domes, materials used, API design requirements, reasons for choosing domes including corrosion resistance and cost savings, and advantages of internal floating roofs with domes over external floating roofs.
The document discusses aluminium geodesic dome roofs that are used for new storage tank construction and retrofitting existing tanks. It describes the history and increasing use of domes, materials used, API design requirements, reasons for choosing domes including corrosion resistance and cost savings, and advantages of internal floating roofs with domes over external floating roofs.
Aluminium geodesic dome roofs that meet the design requirements of API-650, Appendix G are increasingly specified for new tank construction projects and as a retrofit option on existing tanks. These domes utilise aluminiums light weight inherent strength, corrosion resistance with low maintenance to span unsupported diameters of up to 60 metres. This growing trend is based on numerous factors and this paper describes the various issues in detail.
Keywords: Aluminium, Corrosion Resistance and Emissions
1. HISTORY
While more than 10,000 aluminium domes have been installed on petrochemical storage tanks in the United States, only a fraction of that number have been installed in the rest of the world. Although aluminium domes have been in service on petrochemical storage tanks in the United States since the 1970s, they only began to be used in the rest of the world in the 1990s. One possible reason for this is that the largest suppliers of aluminium domes US based and selling internationally is not something a company does until it reaches a certain size. In a more general way, terminal operators are a little suspicious of they regard as new technology, which may help to explain why aluminium domes, with their host of advantages, are not used more widely. Another source or resistance may be tank builders, who may prefer to build a steel roof than buy an aluminium dome and install it as they make more profit if they build the roof themselves. At the customer level, some terminal operators may still be unaware of the technology, or have doubts about its performance and durability. Some tank farm operators remain cautious about using aluminium for roofs due to concerns about its strength and ability to withstand turbulence but aluminium is equal in strength to steel while being one-third the weight. Aluminium is a light, trivalent, ductile and malleable metal. It is non- sparking, non-magnetic and corrosion resistant. Therefore attitudes are starting to change. Certain tank builders recognise the benefits of aluminium domes and are an advocate for them and more projects for petroleum plants and chemical facilities, domes are being specified by the customer.
2. MATERIALS
The primary factors in choosing materials for aluminium geodesic dome manufacturing are as follows:
Climate / exposure to elements Structural strength Corrosion resistance Compatible with the product to be stored and the surrounding environment Cost considerations
The structural components and connections of the aluminium geodesic dome roof are lightweight extrusions fabricated from 6061-T6 or other recognized alloy. The triangular non-structural panels are cut to size, formed from series 3000 or 5000 aluminium sheet with a minimum nominal thickness of 1.20mm (0.050 in.).
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Figure 1. Structural extrusions
Figure 2. Triangular panels
All bolting and fasteners are either:
7075-T73 aluminium, 2024-T4 aluminium; or Austenitic stainless steel.
Only austenitic stainless steel fasteners are acceptable when attaching aluminium to steel.
The gasket and sealing materials shall be compatible with the stored product and remain flexible over a temperature range of -60oC to +150oC (-80oF to +300oF) without tearing, cracking or becoming brittle.
Skylight panels if fitted are fabricated from a minimum of 6mm (0.25 in.) acrylic or polycarbonate sheet
3. API-650, APPENDIX G DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
This appendix of the American Petroleum Institutes (API) aboveground storage tank design code, API-650 establishes the minimum criteria for the design, fabrication and erection of structurally supported aluminium dome roofs. APIs definition of a structurally supported dome roof is that the roof is a fully triangulated aluminium space truss with the struts joined at points arrayed on the surface of a sphere. Aluminium closure panels are firmly attached to the frame members. The roof is attached to and supported by the tank at mounting points equally spaced around the perimeter of the tank. Further minimum design criteria include:
Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, the internal design pressure shall not exceed the weight of the roof. Structural supports for the roof shall be bolted or welded to the tank. Unless another method is specified by the purchaser, aluminium shall be isolated from carbon steel by an austenitic stainless steel spacer or an elastomeric isolator bearing pad. The maximum dome radius shall be 1.7 times the tank diameter. The minimum dome radius shall be 0.7 times the tank diameter unless otherwise specified by the purchaser. If skylights are specified by the purchaser, each skylight shall be furnished with a curb of 4 or higher (to prevent ingress) and shall be designed for live and wind loads.
Figure 3. Bolted structural support
Figure 4. Isolator bearing pad ASSEMBLING AND TYPICAL ATTACHMENT DETAIL 165
4. REASONS FOR CHOOSING ALUMINIUM GEODESIC DOME ROOFS
With some tanks more than others, there are issues where having an aluminium geodesic dome roof would be advantageous. For instance, it can help with odour control and other emission control issues. Some typical categories of products that might be stored under a floating deck and aluminium geodesic dome would include:
Petroleum Water Wastewater Chemical
The main benefit of a aluminium geodesic dome roof would be the long term maintenance cost savings. Usually a cone roof is less expensive than an aluminium geodesic dome but a cost saving can be realized over the life of the aluminium geodesic dome roof due to lower maintenance costs. Increasing construction costs and rising steel prices for traditional storage tank roofs have further enhanced the desirability of aluminium geodesic dome roofs. In the long run the aluminium dome roof is proven more cost effective.
Aluminium geodesic dome roofs are often specified when vapour space corrosion is expected to be a concern. Vapour space corrosion occurs in the vapour space of tanks, above the product on the underside of the roof and the top of the internal surfaces of the tank shell. Vapour space corrosion is accelerated by the presence of moisture condensing on the walls and roof as the temperature varies throughout the day and the night. In the alternating wet and dry conditions, the concentrations of corrosive compounds are often increased. The rate of corrosion is often most severe at the interface between the vapour and the liquid.
Figure 5 Tank corrosion mechanisms
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Figure 6 Roof plate perforations from vapour space corrosion
5. EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOFS (EFR) VERSUS INTERNAL FLOATING ROOFS (IFR) WITH ALUMINIUM GEODESIC DOME ROOF
External floating roofs (EFR) have a seal that goes all the way around the perimeter of the floating deck. The EFR deck, seals and the inner surface of the tank shell are all exposed to the elements. In high humidity areas the inner surface of the tank shell quickly becomes corroded and will cause the seal envelope to fail prematurely. EFRs require roof drainage which in the advent of sustained heavy rain or snow can become overwhelmed resulting in the roof sinking, normally destroying the roof.
The design and construction of EFRs, especially the larger diameter double deck type is complex and costly requiring a lot of steel plate material. A tank fitted with an aluminium geodesic dome roof with a Internal Floating Roof (IFR) either aluminium or glass reinforced plastic design and construction is less complex with all the components being field assembled.
Figure 7. Topside of EFR showing heavy corrosion debris from inner shell surface
Figure 8. Destroyed EFR after sinking
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Figure 9. Aluminium IFR
Figure 10. GRP Vapour vault IFR
A direct comparison between EFRs and IFR fitted with an aluminium geodesic dome is shown in the table below:
Maintenance (20 years) Painting
Seal System
Drainage System
EFR Material:- Steel
During the operating lifetime of the tank, at least one major repair is required after 10- 15 years of operation
Sand blast cleaning and painting is frequently required after 10 years operation, particularly on topside of EFR. May require replacement of the Seal system after 10 years of operation
May require replacement of the Drain system after 10 -15 years of operation
IFR With Aluminum Dome
Maintenance free No painting required of fixed roof. Protects any coatings on IFR.
Replacement of the seal may be required after 10 years of operation. Replacement seals for converted roof are less expensive.
No drainage system required
6. RETROFITTING EXISTING TANKS
Why fit an aluminium geodesic dome over an existing external floating roof? This is a logical question and there are many legitimate reasons. Take a military situation, for instance. Satellite technology could possibly determine how much product is left in military supply tanks based upon the level of the EFR. An aluminium geodesic dome over the EFR would prevent detection of empty or low supply.
Keeps rain and snow from entering the tank and contaminating product. No chance of roof sinking in extreme weather Prevents corrosion of the steel roof by eliminating standing water. 168 Protects existing tank internal coating and seals from UV and environmental damages Environmental Regulations. Emissions are further reduced. Product is preserved. Odors are controlled.
One of the least expensive alternatives to cover an existing tank. Minimal weight has insignificant effect on foundation design making retrofit easier. Future parts replacements are less expensive.
Figure 11. Aluminium geodesic dome being fitted over existing EFR
7. CONCLUSION
The advantages of aluminium domes are primarily to do with maintenance. In the 25-plus years that aluminium domes have been in service, they have been shown to be the most durable roofs for petrochemical tanks. In spite of the fact that few aluminium domes for petrochemical tanks are painted or coated, there have been no reports of corrosion. This durability will lead to more and more customers making aluminium geodesic domes a first preference on both new projects and repairing of existing tankage.
References
1. Aboveground Storage Tanks, by Philip E. Myers, McGraw Hill, New York, USA. 2. API-650 Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, American Petroleum Institute, Tenth Edition, Addendum 3, November 2003. 3. API-571 Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry, American Petroleum Institute, First Edition, December 2003. 4. Aboveground Storage Tanks : Corrosion, Monitoring And Assessment, by Michael Trinidad and Luis Carro, presented at the Corrosion and Prevention conference held by the ACA in Perth, Australia, 2004. 5. API-653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, American Petroleum Institute, Third Edition, Addendum 1, September 2003.
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