Solvent tanks

[TenPenny]

Looking at a haz waste plant, topic of conversation was the tanks for toluene. Off the top of your head, does anybody know what, if any, parts of NFPA regulations would be applicable to these tank designs, from a fire saftey point of view?

Wondering also what materials of construction people are using.

Any thoughts would be considered.

 

[JohnBreen]

Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Underwriters laboratories - UL 142

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover steel atmospheric tanks intended for aboveground storage of noncorrosive, stable flammable, and combustible liquids that have a specific gravity not exceeding that of water.

1.2 These tanks are intended for installation and use in accordance with the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30; the Standard for Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment, NFPA 31; the Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, NFPA 30A; and the Uniform Fire Code published by the International Fire Code Institute.

1.3 Tanks covered by these requirements are fabricated, inspected and tested for leakage before shipment from the factory as completely assembled vessels.

1.4 These requirements do not apply to tanks covered by the Standard for Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, API 650; the Specification for Field-Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids, API 12D; and the Specification for Shop-Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids, API 12F.

1.5 These requirements do not cover seismic loading.

1.6 These requirements do not cover tanks intended to be used as oil/water separators.

1.7 Geometries or special constructions not specifically covered in these requirements shall be investigated on an individual basis.

 

[JohnBreen]

Take a look at this page:

http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/tocs/tocs.asp?doc=s&fn=0142.toc

 

[TenPenny]

Thanks very much, we'll sit with the end user and go from there, now at least we know what direction to go in.

 

[MJCronin]

Ten....

I disagree.. I think that an API-650 design is better choice

Toluene, is a flammable solvent with a low vapor pressure ( ~1 psia at 100F)

Flash point is 40.7 F

In my opinion, NFPA-30 would govern the layout and spacing of your tanks within the plant layout. I would use an API-650 tank design, it is superior to the UL-142 design and allows for larger capacities. (UL-142 has a maximu tank volume)

I am not sure if UL-142 tanks are allowed by NFPA-30

-MJC