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API 650 refers to a standard published by the American Petroleum Institute (API)

Designing a petroleum storage tank to API 650 involves several key considerations. API 650 is the American Petroleum Institute's standard for the design, fabrication, erection, and inspection of welded storage tanks for oil and other liquid products. It's widely used for tanks that store products at ambient pressure (not pressurized) and temperatures below 93°C (200°F).

Here’s a high-level overview of what's involved in API 650 tank design:

🔧 1. Tank Type & Usage

Vertical, cylindrical, above-ground tanks with a flat bottom.
Designed for atmospheric pressure or very low internal pressures (up to 2.5 psig).
Typically used for crude oil, gasoline, diesel, chemicals, etc.

📐 2. Key Design Parameters

Tank diameter & height
Stored liquid type and specific gravity
Design temperature and pressure
Seismic, wind, and snow loads (based on site location)
Corrosion allowance
Foundation type

📏 3. Materials

Carbon steel is most common (ASTM A36, A516, etc.)
Corrosion-resistant alloys or coatings/linings for aggressive products
Selection based on temperature, pressure, and product compatibility

🧮 4. Design Calculations

API 650 outlines formulas for:

Shell thickness (based on hydrostatic pressure)
Roof type: cone roof, dome roof, or floating roof (based on product volatility)
Nozzle sizing & reinforcement
Annular ring design (for tanks with larger diameters)
Wind/seismic bracing

🏗️ 5. Roof Types

Cone roof (common for most fixed-roof tanks)
Dome roof
Floating roof (internal or external) for volatile products like gasoline to reduce vapor losses

🛠️ 6. Appurtenances

Nozzles
Manways
Overflow outlets
Vents and flame arrestors
Gauge hatches
Ladders, platforms, and handrails

📄 7. Weld Inspection & Testing

Radiographic (RT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Ultrasonic (UT), or Dye Penetrant (PT)
Hydrostatic testing of the tank after construction
Shell-to-bottom welds often require higher scrutiny

🧱 8. Foundation Design

Common types: concrete ring wall, mat foundation, or crushed stone pad
Must accommodate settlement and seismic considerations
API 650 Appendix B gives foundation guidance

📚 API 650 Sections You Might Use

Section Content

Section 3Materials

Section 5Design Requirements

Section 7Fabrication

Section 8Erection

Appendix E Seismic Design

Appendix F Floating Roofs

Appendix M Tanks for Higher Temperatures

If you’re working on a specific tank design, I can help with:

Sizing calculations
Material selection
CAD or layout sketch
Creating a sample spec sheet or datasheet

Let me know what you're trying to build or calculate!

BS EN 14015. This is the British and European standard

BS EN 14015: Specification for the design and manufacture of site-built, vertical, cylindrical, flat-bottomed, above-ground, welded steel tanks for the storage of liquids at ambient temperature and above

📌 Key Features

FeatureDescription

📅 First Published2004 (current version may be updated – let me know if you want latest via web)

🌍 RegionUK & Europe (based on EN standards)

🏗️ ApplicationSimilar to API 650 — for atmospheric or low-pressure liquid storage

⚙️ Tank TypeCylindrical, vertical, welded, above-ground, flat-bottomed tanks

🌡️ TemperatureAmbient to slightly elevated temps

🔧 Key Design Topics

1. Materials

Includes both carbon steel and stainless steel
More aligned with European steel grades (e.g., S235, S355)

2. Design Loads

Wind, snow, seismic, and internal pressures
Seismic per Eurocode 8
Wind per EN 1991-1-4

3. Tank Bottom & Shell Design

Includes guidance on annular plates, corrosion allowances, etc.
Bottom can be single plate or annular ring-based depending on diameter

4. Welding and NDT

Strict welding procedures
Requires Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), PQRs, and welder qualifications
NDT: Radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and dye penetrant testing as applicable

5. Inspection and Testing

Hydrostatic testing required
Includes leak testing of bottom plates
Visual and dimensional inspections

🇯🇵 Storage Tank Design Standards in Japan

🏗️ Primary Japanese Standard:

🔹 JIS B 8501 – "Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage"

This is the closest equivalent to API 650 in Japan.

📌 Key Features of JIS B 8501

Feature Details

📘 Title Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage

🏗️ Type Field-erected, vertical, cylindrical, flat-bottomed steel tanks

🌡️ Temperature Ambient or slightly elevated

📏 Pressure Low-pressure, atmospheric tanks

🧯 Applications Crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals

🔧 Design Elements in JIS B 8501

Tank Shell & Bottom
- Design stresses and allowable stress similar to API 650
- Plate thickness, welding joints, corrosion allowance
Seismic Design
- Japan is highly seismic, so this is critical
- Earthquake design must follow Japan’s Building Standards Law and Notification No. 593 (Ministry of Construction)
Wind Loads
- Based on Japan Meteorological Agency data
- Specific formulas for design wind speed & pressures
Materials
- Japanese steel grades (e.g., SS400, SM490, similar to ASTM A36 or A516)
- Material testing & certification required
Roof Types
- Cone, dome, and floating roofs are supported
- Design of internal and external floating roofs follows similar logic to API 650, but with Japanese safety codes
Welding & NDT
- Detailed requirements for welding procedures and testing
- Radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, visual inspections
Testing & Inspection
- Hydrostatic testing is mandatory
- Includes leak testing of bottom plates
- Seismic safety inspections may be required post-installation

Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).

Storage Tank Design Standards – China

he main standard for aboveground welded steel tanks in China is:

🔹 GB 50128 – "Code for Construction and Acceptance of Vertical Cylindrical Welded Steel Oil Tanks"

This standard is often used alongside GB 50341 – Code for Design of Vertical Cylindrical Welded Steel Oil Tanks.

These two together cover the design, fabrication, construction, inspection, and testing of oil storage tanks, much like API 650 or BS EN 14015.

🏗️ Key Chinese Standards for Storage Tanks

Standard Title Description

GB 50341Design Code for Vertical Cylindrical Welded Steel Oil Tanks Main design standard (similar to API 650)

GB 50128Code for Construction and Acceptance Covers fabrication, welding, inspection, and testing

GB 50009Load Code for the Design of Building Structures Wind and snow load

GB 50011Code for Seismic Design of Buildings Seismic design (very important in high-risk areas)

GB 12348Emission Standard for Noise at Boundary of Industrial Enterprises May be referenced for operational compliance

HG/T 20570.1~3Floating Roof Tank Accessories Specifics on floating roof seals, vents, etc. (from chemical industry standards)

🔧 Design Scope of GB 50341

Vertical, cylindrical, aboveground, flat-bottomed, welded steel tanks
Diameter range: Generally from 5 meters to over 100 meters
Fluid: Oil and oil products (can be extended to chemicals with similar properties)
Temperature: Ambient to mildly elevated
Pressure: Atmospheric or very low pressure

🛢️ Floating Roof Tank Design (Internal & External)

Chinese standards recognize both internal and external floating roof tanks, but like BS EN 14015, they're less prescriptive than API 650.

🔄 Floating Roof Design Coverage (GB Standards)

Roof Type Included in GB? Notes

External Floating Roof (EFR)✅ Yes Common in large oil depots

Internal Floating Roof (IFR)✅ Yes Increasingly used for emission control

Fixed Roof✅ Yes Cone or dome style, often with IFR below

👇 Design Based on:

HG/T 20570 (Part 1-3) – Chemical industry standard, used for:
- Floating roof accessories (vents, manways, seals)
- Pontoon vs full-contact IFRs
Enterprise standards or project-specific specs often supplement with API 650 Appendix H principles

🧪 Construction & Testing (GB 50128)

Hydrostatic testing
Radiographic, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle testing for welds
Dimensional tolerance checks
Foundation settlement checks
Welding qualification procedures per GB/T 3323 or GB/T 11345

⚖️

Wisdom is one of the leading design Service provider for oil & Gas, Petrochemical & process Industries

If you’re planning a new facility or upgrading existing infrastructure, Wisdom Design Consultancy is here to provide cutting-edge design services for your Petroleum storage tank systems.

With over 22 years of specialized experience in Petroleum storage tank design,

Wisdom Design Consultancy is a trusted name in the industry for delivering high-quality, efficient, and code-compliant solutions tailored to your project needs

22+ Years of Expertise in Petroleum Tank Design
One-Point Contact for the Entire Project.
All engineers and draftsmen on our team have over 15 years of experience in Petroleum tanks design
Every design document is thoroughly reviewed and approved by a Senior Design Manager to ensure technical accuracy and quality before delivery.
We strictly follow agreed schedules, ensuring on-time delivery without compromising on quality.
Compliance with International Codes & Standards, API 650, ASME, EN, ISO, and other applicable global standards.
From concept to commissioning, we ensure complete coordination with the client, consultants, and stakeholders at every stage
Our solutions strike the right balance between cost-efficiency and safety, without compromising long-term reliability

(HFO, LFO, FURNACE OIL, CRUDE OIL)

(Vegetable oil, Edible oil, Canola Oil, Soybean Oil:, Coconut Oil: Peanut Oil )

Horizontal petroleum storage tank Design

Applicable Standards for Horizontal Tanks

For a horizontal atmospheric petroleum tank, you're likely looking at:

🔹 UL 142 – Standard for Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids
🔹 UL 2085 – Fire-resistant tanks (protected tanks)
🔹 ASME Section VIII Div 1 – If it's pressurized (even low pressure)
🔹 API 12F – For shop-welded tanks up to 500 bbl (~79.5 m³), often horizontal

API 650 generally does not apply to horizontal tanks — it's for vertical field-erected tanks.

🛢️ Horizontal Petroleum Tank Design Overview

🔧 1. Tank Type

Horizontal cylindrical shell
Elliptical, dished, or flat heads
Mounted on saddles (usually 2 or more)
Can be single-wall or double-wall

📐 2. Key Design Inputs

Tank capacity (in gallons, liters, or barrels)
Specific gravity of the liquid
Internal pressure (if any)
Corrosion allowance
External loads (wind, seismic if outdoors)
Fire resistance/fire rating (UL 2085 if needed)

🧮 3. Sizing & Calculations

You’ll calculate:

Shell thickness (based on internal pressure and structural strength)
Head thickness
Saddle design and placement (to avoid overstress at supports)
Drain slope (typically 1:50 or so for full drainage)
Expansion allowances (especially if outdoors)

🧱 4. Saddle Design

Saddles support the horizontal tank and are typically:

Made of steel
May have neoprene pads between saddle and shell
Positioned ~1/4 to 1/3 of tank length from each end (depends on span and stress analysis)
Designed per Roark’s Formulas for Stress & Strain or FEM analysis

🛠️ 5. Appurtenances

Include:

Fill nozzle
Vent
Drain
Level gauge
Manway
Emergency vent (pressure-relief)
Access ladder/platform if large

🔒 6. Safety Considerations

Overfill prevention
Spill containment (bunds or double-wall)
Emergency vents per NFPA 30
UL labeling if required by local code

📊 Sample Horizontal Tank Sizing (UL 142 Style)

Let’s say you want a 10,000-gallon horizontal tank:

ParameterTypical Value

Length~34–36 ft

Diameter~8–9 ft

Shell Thickness3/16"–1/4" (varies)

Head TypeDished or elliptical

MaterialASTM A36 or A516 Gr 70

Saddles2 (with reinforced pads)

🧰 Want a Sketch or Calculation?

If you can give me:

Tank volume or dimensions
Liquid type and specific gravity
Pressure (if any)
Code/stamp needed (UL, ASME, API?)
Indoor/outdoor installation

…I can generate a basic design summary, sketch, or shell/saddle calculation.

Do you have a specific size or application in mind for the tank?

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