Tanks are key equipment for storing liquids or gases, and are widely used in industrial fields such as petroleum, chemical, grain and oil, food, fire protection, and metallurgy. Their types and designs vary according to the purpose, environment, and characteristics of the medium. The following introduction is presented from the perspectives of classification, materials, standards, and industry applications.

 

I. Classification of Tanks

1. By Location

    - Above - ground Tanks: Built on the ground, facilitating maintenance and monitoring.

    - Underground Tanks: Buried underground, saving space and offering high safety.

    - Semi - underground Tanks: Partially buried, combining the advantages of above - ground and underground tanks.

    - Offshore/Subsea Tanks: Suitable for marine resource development, with high requirements for corrosion resistance.

2. By Medium Type

    - Liquid Tanks: Such as crude oil tanks, edible oil tanks, and fire - water tanks.

    - Gas Tanks: Such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks and liquid argon tanks.

3. By Structural Form

    - Fixed - roof Tanks: Suitable for normal - pressure or low - pressure storage, divided into conical - roof, dome - roof, and reticulated - shell - roof types.

    - Floating - roof Tanks: The floating roof rises and falls with the liquid level to reduce medium evaporation, divided into internal floating - roof and external floating - roof types.

    - Spherical Tanks: With strong pressure - bearing capacity, mostly used for storing liquefied gases.

    - Vertical/Horizontal Tanks: Vertical tanks save floor space, while horizontal tanks are suitable for small - capacity storage.

4. By Capacity

    - Large - scale Tanks (above 100m³): Mostly use high - strength steel or floating - roof structures.

    - Small - scale Tanks (below 100m³): Commonly found in chemical laboratories or temporary storage scenarios.

 

II. Material Selection for Tanks

1. Metallic Materials

    - Carbon Steel/Low - strength Steel: Used for normal - temperature and normal - pressure tanks, with low cost and easy processing.

    - High - strength Steel: Used for large - scale tanks above 5000m³ to improve pressure - bearing and anti - deformation capabilities.

    - Stainless Steel: Corrosion - resistant and with good sealing performance, suitable for industries with high hygiene standards such as food and pharmaceuticals.

2. Non - metallic Materials

    - Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Tanks: Corrosion - resistant, aging - resistant, and light in weight, widely used in the chemical and environmental protection fields.

    - Polyethylene (PE) Tanks: Manufactured by rotational molding, suitable for storing acid - base solutions and with a long service life.

    - Steel - lined Plastic Tanks: Combining the strength of steel and the corrosion resistance of plastic, suitable for highly corrosive media.

3. Special Materials

    - Ethoxypropionic Acid Steel - lined Plastic Tanks: Specifically used for storing highly corrosive chemicals.

    - Ceramic/Rubber Tanks: Used for small - scale storage needs in special industries.

 

III. International Standards and Industry Regulations for Tanks

Tank design needs to follow multiple standards to ensure safety, for example:

- International Standards: American API650, British BS2654, Japanese JISB8501, and German DIN4119.

- Domestic Standards: SYJ1016 in the petroleum industry and SH3046 in the petrochemical industry, covering material selection, welding processes, and anti - corrosion requirements.

 

IV. Industry Application Scenarios

1. Petrochemical Industry: Floating - roof tanks are used for crude oil storage, and spherical tanks are used for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

2. Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: Stainless - steel tanks ensure hygiene and safety, used for storing dairy products and pharmaceutical raw materials.

3. Environmental Protection and Energy Industry: FRP tanks are used for treating industrial wastewater, and liquid argon tanks support the medical and scientific research fields.

4. Fire Protection and Municipal Industry: Fire - water tanks and underground tanks ensure emergency reserves and public safety.

 

V. Future Development Trends

With the upgrading of industrial demands, tank technology is developing towards high - corrosion - resistant materials, intelligent monitoring, and environmentally friendly processes. For example, steel - lined plastic tanks are gradually replacing traditional single - material tanks due to their comprehensive performance advantages; the Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used for real - time monitoring of tank liquid level, temperature, and safety status.

 

Through reasonable selection and standardized design, tanks can significantly improve storage efficiency and safety, providing reliable support for the continuous development of various industries.