Pressure Vessel Tank: A Complete Guide to Safe, Efficient Storage
Pressure vessel tanks are widely used machinery in the chemical, oil, gas, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries. Pressure vessels are vessels designed to hold liquid and gas under increased pressure. Whether natural gas is held under pressure or chemicals are followed by food ingredients, one must know how pressure vessels and tanks operate and their consequent importance to a particular operating environment.
Did You Know? According to MarketsandMarkets, the global pressure vessel market is estimated to grow from $69.2 billion in 2020 to $91.6 billion by 2025 due to a rise in demand from the chemicals, oil & gas, and food processing industries.
This article will examine pressure vessel tanks, their types, applications, and safety considerations to optimize your operations while maximizing the safety of the people and the public.
What is a pressure vessel tank?
Pressure vessel tanks are highly rigid containers built to maintain high pressures. Gases and liquids are stored in a vessel above atmospheric pressure. Since the vessel itself contains the potential hazard, it is essential to design such tanks adequately so that they may operate safely under high pressure. Such vessels, with the requisite design and engineering, can be used safely for holding substances under high pressure.
Key Insight: It is estimated that over 90% of industrial plants across sectors such as oil & gas, chemical processing, and energy rely on pressure vessels to store critical materials safely.
The assorted materials used in making pressure vessels include stainless steel, carbon steel, and composites, thereby ensuring their functioning under extremes of temperature and pressure without compromising on safety.
Types of Pressure Vessel Tanks
There is a diverse range of pressure vessel tank designs that are specified for the different needs of industries. Below are the most common types:
1. Horizontal Pressure Vessels
Horizontal pressure vessels are pressure storage tanks for liquids and gases that need to be stored under pressure. They are horizontal cylindrical containers.
Connective datapoint: An estimated 60% of pressure vessels used in chemical plants are horizontal due to their efficiency of bulk liquid storage and ease of installation.
Horizontal pressure vessels are commonly used in industries where space is limited and significant storage capacity is required.
Applications:
- Chemical storage
- Fuel storage
- Natural gas storage
2. Vertical Pressure Vessels
Vertical pressure vessels are utilized when vertical height is prioritized over horizontal space. Vertical pressure vessels are often found in industrial plants and allow for superior space utilization compared to horizontal storage.
Interesting Fact: In industries such as oil & gas, 75% of large-scale storage tanks are vertical and offer the most efficient way to store vertical materials.
Vertical pressure vessels should be utilized where a liquid will require a separation or to hold larger volumes of gases that require vertical storage.
Applications:
- Water treatment facilities
- Oil and gas processing
- Food and beverage industries
3. Spherical Pressure Vessels
Spherical vessels are made for high-pressure storage, often in the petrochemical and natural gas industries.
Did You Know? Spherical tanks can hold more internal pressure than cylindrical tanks because of their shape, which is why they are the preferred option for liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage. Approximately 50% of LNG storage utilizes spherical tanks because it is safer.
These vessels work great for gases that need to be either stored under high pressure or low temperature.
Applications:
- Natural gas storage
- Chemical plant operations
- Cryogenic storage
Cost Comparison of Pressure Vessel Tanks At Burraq Engineering
Cost is very important when choosing a pressure vessel tank, along with performance and safety considerations. Prices vary by design, material, and application. Here’s a ballpark cost comparison:
| Specification | Tank 1 (15,000 Liters) | Tank 2 & 3 (40,000 Liters) | Tank 4 (30,000 Liters – Final Storage) | 10,000 Liters (pH Infusion & Pre-Fill) | 15,000 Liters (Pre-Fill Tank) |
| Capacity | 15,000 Liters | 40,000 Liters | 30,000 Liters | 10,000 Liters | 15,000 Liters |
| Main Body Material | Stainless Steel SS304 | Stainless Steel SS304 (Food Grade) | Stainless Steel SS304 (Food Grade) | Stainless Steel SS304 (Food Grade) | Stainless Steel SS304 (Food Grade) |
| Sheet Thickness | 6 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Top & Bottom Thickness | 6 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Height | 5182 mm (204 inches) | 6096 mm | 6096 mm | 3658 mm | 5182 mm |
| Diameter | 1930 mm (76 inches) | 2896 mm | 2515 mm | 1930 mm | 1930 mm |
| Manhole | 508 mm (20 inches) | 508 mm (Heavy Duty) | 508 mm (Heavy Duty) | 508 mm (Heavy Duty with Cover) | 508 mm (Heavy Duty) |
| Flanges | 03 pcs of 50 x 10 mm flanges | 04 pcs of 50 x 10 mm flanges | 04 pcs of 50 x 10 mm flanges | 03 pcs of 50 x 10 mm (for structural strength) | 03 pcs of 50 x 10 mm flanges will be added for structural strength |
| Polish Finish | Miller Finish (Hygienic & Smooth Surface) | Miller Finish (Smooth & Hygienic Surface) | Miller Finish (Smooth & Hygienic Surface) | Mirror / Miller Polish (Hygienic & Easy Cleaning) | Miller Finish (Hygienic & Smooth Surface) |
| Orientation | Cylindrical | N/A | N/A | Cylindrical | Horizontal cylindrical tank |
| Standard Fittings | Inlet, Outlet | Inlet, Outlet | Inlet, Outlet | Inlet, Outlet & Drainage Nozzles (as per requirement) | Inlet, outlet |
| Durability | High resistance against corrosion and rust due to SS304 grade material | 100% Hydrostatic and Leak Test before delivery | 100% Hydrostatic and Leak Test before delivery | N/A | High resistance against corrosion and rust due to SS304 grade material |
| Reinforcement | N/A | 04 pcs of 50 mm x 10 mm flanges for additional strength | 04 pcs of 50 mm x 10 mm flanges for additional strength | Added for extra durability against internal pressure | N/A |
| Design Standard | N/A | In compliance with ASME Section VIII / BS EN 13445 | In compliance with ASME Section VIII / BS EN 13445 | N/A | N/A |
| Connections & Nozzles | As per client requirement | As per client requirement | As per client requirement | N/A | N/A |
| Testing | N/A | 100% Hydrostatic and Leak Test | 100% Hydrostatic and Leak Test | N/A | N/A |
Key Benefits of Pressure Vessel Tanks
Pressure vessels serve an important purpose in the safe storage, transportation, and processing of materials that require pressurization. Here are some of the benefits of using pressure vessel tanks in your operations:
1. Enhanced Safety
Pressure vessels are constructed to avoid hazards created from a superpressure condition or greater than the manufacturer’s specified working pressure. There are many safety features integrated into the construction process, like safety valves, rupture discs, and automatic shut-off, which are necessary to circumvent catastrophic events.
Industry-Related Information: The total industrial safety equipment market is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 7% from 2021 to 2026, indicating the increased use of safe and reliable pressure vessels.
2. Increased Efficiency
Pressure vessel tanks enable industries to store large amounts of materials under pressure, allowing for more expedient storage and transportation. For example, in the food industry, pressure vessels can be valuable for the storage of ingredients under high pressure so that businesses can have better shelf life and efficiency in transport.
Relatable Insight: The pressure vessel tank is used to store ingredients in 60% of food processing plants, ultimately allowing companies to operate more efficiently and waste less.
3. Durability and Longevity
Pressure vessels are made from excellent materials, whether stainless steel, carbon, etc. Pressure vessels will last for long times, even in very severe operating environments. With proper design and maintenance, pressure vessels will last between 15 and 20 years of service life, making them a long-term investment for your business.
Applications of Pressure Vessel Tanks
Pressure vessel tanks find applications across various industries. Here are a few key sectors that rely on these tanks for safe and efficient operations:
1. Oil and Gas Industry
The oil and gas sector utilizes pressure vessels to hold natural gas, petroleum products, and chemicals at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure in order to avoid leakage and to preserve the integrity of these materials during transport and storage. Pressurized vessels safely retain products while in transit and during storage operations.
Statistical Insight: Approximately more than 80 percent of the pressure vessels used in the oil & gas industry are used to store gas, such as natural gas, and they must be put under high pressure to preserve their energy content and to stabilize that gas.
2. Chemical Processing
Pressure vessels play a vital role in the chemical processing industry. Pressure vessels are used to react, store, and separate chemicals in the process of manufacturing under high pressure in the chemical industry.
Interesting Fact: 45% of pressure vessels used in chemical manufacturing are for chemical reactions and distillation because they must withstand severe temperature and pressure in manufacturing the chemicals.
3. Food and Beverage Industry
Pressure vessel tanks also have a significant use case in the food industry. They are utilized for ingredient storage, pasteurization, and carbonation processes for beverages.
Did You Know? More than 50% of carbonated beverage producers utilize pressure vessel tanks in the carbonation process and use them to store drinks under controlled pressure, ensuring consistent quality.
Safety Considerations for Pressure Vessel Tanks
If improperly handled, pressure vessels can become quite hazardous-even though in theory they are safe. Some safety tips for pressure vessel use include:
- Regular Inspections: Pressure vessels are to be regularly inspected for the appearance of wear and corrosion, pressure leakage, etc., to ascertain their operational condition.
- Pressure Relief Valves: Always use and test pressure relief valves to prevent excessive pressurization.
- Proper Training: Operators should be well-trained to handle pressure vessels safely and should be aware of operating limitations and safety features of the equipment.
Final Thoughts
Pressure vessels are used in areas where extreme pressures are involved for storage or transport, and processing. Knowing the categories or shapes of pressure vessels in addition to their advantages and uses may help you make the right safety-based judgment for efficiency and long-term business.
Did You Know? A pressure vessel, if designed properly, reduces operational costs up to 20% by means of storage optimization and less maintenance expenditure.
New technologies have been progressing in the design and materials used for pressure vessels, hence offering better safety, efficiency, and longevity. In case you require horizontal, vertical, or spherical vessels, recognition of your appropriate pressure tank will keep your operating activities airtight, literally.
