Vertical storage Tanks
Rapid Design
Do tank sizing calculations online. Please bear in mind this is not a design, it is simply a preliminary sizing. You should get expert advice on the design of your tank taking into account the specific conditions which prevail at your factory.
Introduction
Sugar factories usually have a number of large diameter tanks, for example
- Mixed Juice Tanks
- Clear Juice Tanks
- Syrup Tanks
- Molasses Tanks
- Boiler Feed Water Storage Tanks
- Fermentation Tanks
- Alcohol Storage Tanks
These tanks are usually designed to a design code such as
- API 650
- BS 2654
- IS 803
Tank Specification
A tank consists of four major components
- Foundation
- Base plate
- Shell
- Roof
Foundation
The foundation can be simply a raised platform of compacted earth topped with asphalt, or it may be concrete raft supported either on the underlying soil or on piles, and finally it may be a reinforced concrete ring beam, the inside of the ring beam filled with compacted earth that may be stabilised with cement and topped with a 3cm to 5cm layer of asphalt.


Base plate
The base plate is usually of 6mm plates and the plates may be joined by lap joints or butt joints (with backing strip). The base plate may also have annular or sketch plates
Shell
The shell is made of a number of rectangular plates that may be rolled to the correct curvature and then welding using butt joints. The butt joints V-groove or square groove welded, depending on plate thickness and welding process.
Roof
On most sugar mill tanks a self supporting membrane roof is adequate, however on larger tanks the roof may be supported on girders and maybe even columns. The roof angle is normally 15°
Appurtanances
The following appurtanances are required for each tank
- An overflow
- A roof vent
- A manhole in the shell for maintenance access
- A manhole in the roof for maintenance access
- Stairs or ladder for access to the tank roof
- A drain
Materials of Construction
The tanks are usually of mild steel although stainless steel and 3CR12 are also used sometimes.