Code for Diesel Day Tank

[mch22112]

Hello,

I'm specifying requirements for a diesel day tank. It will be used to supply fuel to a large and thirsty diesel generator.

Can anyone please advise if there is a design code which sets limits on the maximum size / volume of such a tank? In other words, what is the maximum volume of diesel that can be stored in close proximity to an engine?

Thanks

 

[DLite30]

I'm not certain about a volume limit, but you must have secondary containment that contain at least the same volume of the tank, so that will begin setting limits on your footprint, tank cost, etc.

Start by reading up on the EPA's SPCC rule.

http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/web/content/spcc/

 

[vpl]

MarkChealy

You might want to look at NFPA 37, Section 6.3.2, Fuel Tanks Within Structures. That states (paraphrasing) that if a fuel tank is not in a room by itself it should be limited to 2500 liters (660 gallons). However, you need to review the standard yourself and not just accept the word of an semi-anonymous person over the Internet as there are a lot of exceptions in the standard which I'm not bothering to quote.

Additionally, if your large and thirsty diesel generator is at a nuclear plant in the USA, you also should look at ANSI N195 (as endorsed by Regulatory Guide 1.137) or its superceding document ANS 59.51 as these documents set a MINIMUM size for the day tank.

These documents are available either from the initiating organization or from various subscription services (my company uses IHS). They might also be in your technical library, if your company has one.


Patricia Lougheed

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[mch22112]

Thanks very much vpl and DliteE30,

vpl, I discovered NFPA 37 today and have just finished reading it. I came to the same conclusion - that 660 US gal (2500L) would be the maximum allowable. No, this is not for a nuclear application.

660 US gal (2500L) seems to be one of the largest commercially available diesel / oil generator tank sizes, which is reassuring. I did spot one advertised as "3000L (660 gallon)" - the manufacturer must have converted to L from imperial, not US gallons.

 

[cvg]

OSHA 1926.152b(4) (table F-2
allows storage of up to 10 gallons/square foot of floor area in an inside storage room, where automatic fire protection (2 hour) is provided for a miximum room size of 500 square foot.

with 1 hour or no fire protection, the allowable quantity is less.

Inside storage rooms must meet the requirements of NFPA 251-1969 and NFPA 80-1970 for fire resistance, . They must also meet the OSHA requirements for ventilation.

Storage outside buildings can be in larger tanks.

660 gallons for "portable tanks" is the dividing size for emergency venting and other safety devices specified in NFPA 30-1969 chapters II, III and IV. That is, tanks smaller than 660 gallons have different requirements than larger ones.

 

[mch22112]

Thanks cvg. The maximum size of indoor tanks is well defined. It seems there is little guidance on the size of outdoor tanks constructed in close proximity to engines.