Large scale experimental investigation on storage tank breathing during sudden cold heavy rain event. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, N.; Denecke, J.; Schmidt, J.; Davies, M.; Heidermann, T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss prevention in the process industries. Volume 78(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Heat transfer -- Storage tanks -- Experiments -- Breathing flow; Chemical industries -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; 660.2804
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2022.104825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-4230

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, unique large-scale experiments were performed, to measure the resulting breathing volume flow during cooldown through sprinkling on an air-filled horizontal storage tank with a volume of 191 m 3 . The tank had a length of 20 m, a diameter of 3.6 m and a weight of approx. 25 tons. Within 9 experiments in total, the sprinkling intensity, the sprinkling time, the initial temperature of the tank atmosphere, the sprinkling temperature and the breathing conditions with an inlet port of DN25 (open tank/closed tank/tank with valve) have been varied. The main objective was, to analyse local phenomena during cooldown of the tank that may impact the breathing volume flow. With this information it is possible to develop a breathing model including local phenomena, to prevent storage tanks from damage by inadmissible vacuum. Since current breathing models are derived for vertical tanks only, it was examined, if assumptions from literature are also applicable for horizontal tanks. In addition, it was verified whether the assumptions from the literature models are conservative for the sizing of tank breathing devices. The literature models from Fullarton et al. 1987) and Moncalvo et al. 2016) were compared to the experimental data. Highlights: A broad set of experimental data for tank breathing flow on a 191 m 3 horizontal storage tanks is presented. Literature models provide a conservative estimate, but overestimate the real course of the breathing volume flow about 40%. The literature values for heat transfer in non-condensable tank atmosphere are applicable to horizontal tanks. The calculation model for the effective rain intensity on vertical storage tanks is not applicable on horizontal storage tanks.