TECHNIP Issuer Book n° Chapter n° Rev.

Page
GUIDE DOCUMENT GE P312 3.4.7 IX o 1/10

PROCESS GUIDE S.S. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

PROCESS GUIDE

PART 3 - SECTION 4 : OFFSITES

S.S. 4.7 - REFRIGERATED STORAGE FACILITIES

CHAPTER IX - PROCESS DESIGN CRITERIA AND

SPECIFICATIONS

Pages modified under this revision:

I
English version from French version
0 NOV. 2001 Rev.2 - January 2001 J.P. CHAUBERNARD Q- A.DEVOS gJ- C.PTAK ~.
Rev Date STATUS WRITTEN BY CHECKED BY APPROVED BY
DD/MMIYY (name & visa) (name 8. visa) (name & visa)

DOCUMENT REVISIONS

Sections changed in last revision are identified by a vertical line in the right margin

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PROCESS GUIDE 5.5. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

CONTENT

1. PROCESS DESIGN CRITERIA

2. PROCESS SPECIFICATION: AN EXAMPLE, ETHYLENE STORAGE

3. PROCESS SPECIFICATION: AN EXAMPLE, LNG TANK

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PROCESS GUIDE S.S. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

1. PROCESS DESIGN CRITERIA

Various process elements form the basic process criteria to be considered:

• Storage capacity
• Storage operating pressure, together with maximum operating pressure
• Storage operating temperature, together with design temperature
• Product liquid density at storage condition
• Product fill-in rate
• Product shipping-rate
• Conditions under which the product has to be shipped
• Conditions under which the product is received.

The type of storage vessel used for pressurized storage is either spherical or cylindrical. The
dimensions of this storage facility can be determined on the basis of the storage capacity, operating
pressure and temperature. Mechanical design is as a rule performed using ASME unfired pressure
vessel code.

Atmospheric refrigerated storage can be either single containment, double or full containment.
Vessels can either be made of steel or of concrete, etc. All these types of storage facilities are not
covered by a single code.

Design pressure is an important criterion for the design of atmospheric refrigerated tanks,. Most
tanks are designed for a differential pressure between atmosphere and absolute storage pressure.
A study of the history of barometric (and also ambient temperature) changes in the area is
necessary.

Operating temperature values of the tank determine the materials for tank construction. The
construction material for inner tanks of double wall type tanks must preserve strength and ductility
through the range of temperature values possible in the tank. Aluminum, stainless steel or 9% Ni-
alloy steel have proved acceptable materials according to codes. There is no simple answer to the
question "which material is the most economical ?", since each material has its application.
Generally speaking, the use of 9% Ni-alloy steel proved most economical for huge storage
facilities. This is due to this material higher strength, which allows thinner wall construction and
thus substantial cost saving.

Product fill-in rate and shipping rate, as well as filling and shipping conditions, determine the
following:

• Vent sizing
• Vapor flowrate (boil-off compression)
• Nozzle sizing.

Thickness of storage vessel installed insulation governs the overall rate of heat flux through the
system. The amount of heat influx into the tank determines the factor commonly called boil-off
over a given period of time under specified ambient temperature conditions. The term "normal
evaporation rate" (NER) is sometimes used.
Vapor generated in the storage facilities from different sources is detailed in Chapter VII.

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PROCESS GUIDE S.S. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

Finally, the following passive constraints should not be neglected during the preparation of the
process specification for product storage facilities :

• Plot plan requirements: minimum distance between two tanks, etc ...
• Drainage of the storage tank
• Heating of the storage tank, if required due to ambient conditions.

2. PROCESS SPECIFICATION: AN EXAMPLE, ETHYLENE STORAGE

A typical process specification, for ethylene storage, is set out hereafter.

An atmospheric, fully refrigerated, ethylene storage facility has been selected as an example. This
example includes explanations and recommendations.

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PROCESS GUIDE 5.5. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

ETHYLENE STORAGE SPEcnnCATION

A- FOREWORD

This specification concerns a liquefied ethylene tank with a useful capacity of (Note 1) m 3 •

This storage facility shall be cryogenic type.

B- TANK DESIGN

Two designs are available :

a. Double metal wall, above ground type, with suspended deck

• Internal tank is alloy steel made

• External tank is carbon steel made.

The internal tank is provided with heat insulation, foam glass type.
The space between the internal and external tank shall be filled with insulation, perlite type.

b. Concrete / Membrane tank

The outer tank is at ambient temperature and is made of prestressed concrete. It is designed for
total mechanical strength.

The internal part is exposed to very low temperature and is made of a thin membrane providing
tighness, but no structural strength.

Between them, a rigid load bearing insulation (PVC or polymer type) shall be provided.

C- PROCESS DATA

a. Product
High purity liquefied ethylene, polymer grade. No contamination by nitrogen or oxygen is
allowed. So, storage shall be pressurized by ethylene gas, supplied by the ethylene gas pipeline,
in case of tank pressure lower than (Note 2).
• Boiling point at 1 ata -104°C
• Liquid density at 1 ata and -104°C 568 kg / m 3
• Latent heat of vaporization at -104°C 115.32 kcal / kg

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PROCESS GUIDE S.S. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

b. Storage process design data

• Useful capacity (Note 1)
• Maximum operating temperature -104°C / (Note 3)
• Design pressure (Note 4)
• Vacuum design pressure (Note 5)
• Liquid maximum filling rate (in normal operation)
• Liquid maximum pump out rate (in normal operation)
• Inlet line diameter (liquid) (Note 6)
• Outlet line diameter (liquid) (Note 7)
• Inlet/outlet line diameter (gas) (Note 8)
• Total draining of tank shall be possible (Note 9)
• Plot plan requirement (Note 10)

c. Insulation / Boil-off design data

Boil-off calculation shall be done assuming the following data:

• Daily boil-off rate : per cent of maximum liquid capacity of tank : (Note 11)
• Atmospheric conditions : See mechanical specifications or general specifications
• Feed conditions before flash at inlet control valve:
Flow
Pressure
Temperature

• Under normal conditions of shipping, draw off pump is recycling around storage facilities:
electric power consumption is in this case approximately... kW.

Taking data above into account, the Manufacturer shall indicate the flowrate required for the
boil-off compressor and required insulation thickness.

Calculation data sheets shall be sent to TECHNIP for information.

d. Foundations
To avoid any freezing of soil, the tank shall be built on a raised concrete slab, so as to allow
natural air circulation. A complementary heating device shall be added, if required, and shall
be installed so as to allow easy inspection.

The Manufacturer shall indicate the load borne by the slab as well as allowable tank strain and
load.

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PROCESS GUIDE S.S. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

D- SAFETY DEVICES

a. Safety valves to be supplied by Manufacturer (pressure and vacuum)

There shall be at least two safety valves of each type and an interlock system shall be provided
to allow the maintenance of one item while the tank keeps on being protected.

These valves shall be fitted with adequate stacks (2 m above outlet flanges) and protected from
ram.

They shall be fitted with steam ring.

b. Vent to atmosphere: supplied by Vendor

In case of high pressure, ethylene is sent to atmosphere through a HeV to safe location. This
valve shall be actuated locally.

Valve and stack shall be designed for ethylene (see Note 12).

The stack shall be much higher than any surrounding equipment and fitted with a steam ring
according to the following diagram:

AlM LEVEL CIRCUlAR CROWN

• .......-"'BCRED""""'-_ _

a:::r=====i':!lf

ETHYI.ENI!
SlORAGE

LS: WWPRESSURES1EAM(NOIE 13)

S1EAMFLOWRA1E: (NOIE 13)

c. Make-up system

If pressure is too low in the tank (see Note 14), some ethylene gas will be sent into the tank
through a pressure control valve until pressure rises up to (Note 14) and so prevents air from
entering the tank.

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PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

E- INSTRUMENTATION

The tank shall be fitted with the following instrumentation.

a. Level controllers
The tank level shall be measured by a "WHESSOE" float type device fitted with an isolable
reading head, adjustable to the main telemetering system located in offsites control room and in
ethylene unit control room.

Level safety devices shall include :

• A low level switch to supply a low level alarm in control room
• A high level switch to actuate a feed shut-off valve.

b. Pressure indicators

Two high precision devices shall be provided (local and remote in control room).

c. Pressure transmitters

Pressure transmitters shall be provided to transmit data to the automatic device controlling
starting/stoppage of boil-off compressors.

d. Thermocouples

They shall be installed on the external face of the internal tank. Connection of these instruments
to a switch box shall be provided. A sufficient quantity of thermocouples shall be supplied in
order to have available spare items.

e. Overflow / Excess flow valve

An overflow device must be provided by the Manufacturer:

• For instance, an excess flow nozzle with a rupture disk at its end and discharging into a hold-
up basin
• Or, as an alternate, any reliable device.

Manufacturer shall present recommendations regarding whether an excess flow valve is needed
or not.

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PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

Explanations and remarks

Notes:
(1) Net capacity of ethylene storage.

(2) Lower limit of pressure for tank blanketing.

(3) Maximum ambient temperature.

(4) General value for the design pressure of ethylene storage == about 70 -
100 g / cm2g.

(5) Recommended value = minus 5 g / cm2g

(6) Usually entering through the top.

(7) Either leaving through the top, in case of transfer pump installed in the
tank, or through the bottom.

(8) Through the top.

(9) Diameter of drain nozzle to be specified.

(10) Any particular requirement concerning the tank dimensions or distance

between tanks, etc ...

(11) Daily boil-off rate in terms of maximum liquid capacity of tank to be

specified.
Value recommended: < 1%

(12) Quantity of ethylene to be vented to be specified

(13) Pressure and quantity oflow pressure steam to be specified

(14) Recommended values: 5 g / cm2g

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PROCESS GUIDE S.S. 4.7 - Refrigerated storage facilities

PART 3 - SECTION 4 CHAPTER IX - Process design criteria and
OFFSITES specifications

3. PROCESS SPECIFICATION: AN EXAMPLE, LNG TANK

Pending.

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