7.

1 Organic Liquid
Storage Tanks
7.1.1 Process Description1-2
Storage vessels containing organic liquids can be found in many industries, including
(1) petroleum producing and refining, (2) petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, (3) bulk storage
and transfer operations, and (4) other industries consuming or producing organic liquids. Organic liquids
in the petroleum industry, usually called petroleum liquids, generally are mixtures of hydrocarbons
having dissimilar true vapor pressures (for example, gasoline and crude oil). Organic liquids in the

chemical industry, usually called volatile organic liquids, are composed of pure chemicals or mixtures of
chemicals with similar true vapor pressures (for example, benzene or a mixture of isopropyl and butyl
alcohols).
Six basic tank designs are used for organic liquid storage vessels: fixed roof (vertical and
horizontal), external floating roof, domed external (or covered) floating roof, internal floating roof,
variable vapor space, and pressure (low and high). A brief description of each tank is provided below.
Loss mechanisms associated with each type of tank are provided in Section 7.1.2.
The emission estimating equations presented in Section 7.1 were developed by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). API retains the copyright to these equations. API has granted permission for
the nonexclusive; noncommercial distribution of this material to governmental and regulatory agencies.
However, API reserves its rights regarding all commercial duplication and distribution of its material.
Therefore, the material presented in Section 7.1 is available for public use, but the material cannot be sold
without written permission from the American Petroleum Institute and the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
7.1.1.1 Fixed Roof Tanks B
A typical vertical fixed roof tank is shown in Figure 7.1-1. This type of tank consists of a
cylindrical steel shell with a permanently affixed roof, which may vary in design from cone- or
domeshaped
to flat. Losses from fixed roof tanks are caused by changes in temperature, pressure, and liquid
level.
Fixed roof tanks are either freely vented or equipped with a pressure/vacuum vent. The latter
allows the tanks to operate at a slight internal pressure or vacuum to prevent the release of vapors during
very small changes in temperature, pressure, or liquid level. Of current tank designs, the fixed roof tank is
the least expensive to construct and is generally considered the minimum acceptable equipment for
storing organic liquids.
Horizontal fixed roof tanks are constructed for both above-ground and underground service and
are usually constructed of steel, steel with a fiberglass overlay, or fiberglass-reinforced polyester.
Horizontal tanks are generally small storage tanks with capacities of less than 40,000 gallons. Horizontal
tanks are constructed such that the length of the tank is not greater than six times the diameter to ensure
structural integrity. Horizontal tanks are usually equipped with pressure-vacuum vents, gauge hatches and
sample wells, and manholes to provide access to these tanks. In addition, underground tanks may be
7.1-2 EMISSION FACTORS 11/06
cathodically protected to prevent corrosion of the tank shell. Cathodic protection is accomplished by
placing sacrificial anodes in the tank that are connected to an impressed current system or by using
galvanic anodes in the tank. However, internal cathodic protection against corrosion is no longer widely
used in the petroleum industry, due to corrosion inhibitors that are now found in most refined petroleum
products.
The potential emission sources for above-ground horizontal tanks are the same as those for
vertical fixed roof tanks. Emissions from underground storage tanks are associated mainly with changes
in the liquid level in the tank. Losses due to changes in temperature or barometric pressure are minimal
for underground tanks because the surrounding earth limits the diurnal temperature change, and changes
in the barometric pressure result in only small losses.
7.1.1.2 External Floating Roof Tanks B
A typical external floating roof tank (EFRT) consists of an open- topped cylindrical steel shell
equipped with a roof that floats on the surface of the stored liquid. The floating roof consists of a deck,
fittings, and rim seal system. Floating decks that are currently in use are constructed of welded steel plate
and are of two general types: pontoon or double-deck. Pontoon-type and double-deck-type external
floating roof tanks are shown in Figures 7.1-2 and 7.1-3, respectively. With all types of external floating
roof tanks, the roof rises and falls with the liquid level in the tank. External floating decks are equipped
with a rim seal system, which is attached to the deck perimeter and contacts the tank wall. The purpose of
the floating roof and rim seal system is to reduce evaporative loss of the stored liquid. Some annular

space remains between the seal system and the tank wall. The seal system slides against the tank wall as
the roof is raised and lowered. The floating deck is also equipped with fittings that penetrate the deck and
serve operational functions. The external floating roof design is such that evaporative losses from the
stored liquid are limited to losses from the rim seal system and deck fittings (standing storage loss) and
any exposed liquid on the tank walls (withdrawal loss).
7.1.1.3 Internal Floating Roof Tanks B
An internal floating roof tank (IFRT) has both a permanent fixed roof and a floating roof inside.
There are two basic types of internal floating roof tanks: tanks in which the fixed roof is supported by
vertical columns within the tank, and tanks with a self-supporting fixed roof and no internal support
columns. Fixed roof tanks that have been retrofitted to use a floating roof are typically of the first type.
External floating roof tanks that have been converted to internal floating roof tanks typically have a
selfsupporting
roof. Newly constructed internal floating roof tanks may be of either type. The deck in internal
floating roof tanks rises and falls with the liquid level and either floats directly on the liquid surface
(contact deck) or rests on pontoons several inches above the liquid surface (noncontact deck). The
majority of aluminum internal floating roofs currently in service have noncontact decks. A typical internal
floating roof tank is shown in Figure 7.1-4.
Contact decks can be (1) aluminum sandwich panels that are bolted together, with a honeycomb
aluminum core floating in contact with the liquid; (2) pan steel decks floating in contact with the liquid,
with or without pontoons; and (3) resin-coated, fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP), buoyant panels
floating in contact with the liquid. The majority of internal contact floating decks currently in service are
aluminum sandwich panel-type or pan steel-type. The FRP decks are less common. The panels of pan
steel decks are usually welded together.
Noncontact decks are the most common type currently in use. Typical noncontact decks are
constructed of an aluminum deck and an aluminum grid framework supported above the liquid surface by
tubular aluminum pontoons or some other buoyant structure. The noncontact decks usually have bolted
11/06 Liquid Storage Tanks 7.1-3
deck seams. Installing a floating roof minimizes evaporative losses of the stored liquid. Both contact and
noncontact decks incorporate rim seals and deck fittings for the same purposes previously described for
external floating roof tanks. Evaporative losses from floating roofs may come from deck fittings,
nonwelded deck seams, and the annular space between the deck and tank wall. In addition, these tanks are
freely vented by circulation vents at the top of the fixed roof. The vents minimize the possibility of
organic vapor accumulation in the tank vapor space in concentrations approaching the flammable range.
An internal floating roof tank not freely vented is considered a pressure tank. Emission estimation
methods for such tanks are not provided in AP-42.
7.1.1.4 Domed External Floating Roof Tanks B
Domed external (or covered) floating roof tanks have the heavier type of deck used in external
floating roof tanks as well as a fixed roof at the top of the shell like internal floating roof tanks. Domed
external floating roof tanks usually result from retrofitting an external floating roof tank with a fixed roof.
This type of tank is very similar to an internal floating roof tank with a welded deck and a self supporting
fixed roof. A typical domed external floating roof tank is shown in Figure 7.1-5.
As with the internal floating roof tanks, the function of the fixed roof is not to act as a vapor
barrier, but to block the wind. The type of fixed roof most commonly used is a self supporting aluminum
dome roof, which is of bolted construction. Like the internal floating roof tanks, these tanks are freely
vented by circulation vents at the top of the fixed roof. The deck fittings and rim seals, however, are
identical to those on external floating roof tanks. In the event that the floating deck is replaced with the
lighter IFRT-type deck, the tank would then be considered an internal floating roof tank.
7.1.1.5 Variable Vapor Space Tanks B
Variable vapor space tanks are equipped with expandable vapor reservoirs to accommodate vapor
volume fluctuations attributable to temperature and barometric pressure changes. Although variable vapor
space tanks are sometimes used independently, they are normally connected to the vapor spaces of one or

more fixed roof tanks. The two most common types of variable vapor space tanks are lifter roof tanks and
flexible diaphragm tanks.
Lifter roof tanks have a telescoping roof that fits loosely around the outside of the main tank wall.
The space between the roof and the wall is closed by either a wet seal, which is a trough filled with liquid,
or a dry seal, which uses a flexible coated fabric.
Flexible diaphragm tanks use flexible membranes to provide expandable volume. They may be
either separate gasholder units or integral units mounted atop fixed roof tanks.
Variable vapor space tank losses occur during tank filling when vapor is displaced by liquid. Loss
of vapor occurs only when the tank's vapor storage capacity is exceeded.
7.1.1.6 Pressure Tanks B
Two classes of pressure tanks are in general use: low pressure (2.5 to 15 psig) and high pressure
(higher than 15 psig). Pressure tanks generally are used for storing organic liquids and gases with high
vapor pressures and are found in many sizes and shapes, depending on the operating pressure of the tank.
Pressure tanks are equipped with a pressure/vacuum vent that is set to prevent venting loss from boiling
and breathing loss from daily temperature or barometric pressure changes. High-pressure storage tanks
can be operated so that virtually no evaporative or working losses occur. In low-pressure tanks, working
7.1-4