Diesel Day Tank Location and Dimensions

[Physics_Nerd]

Hi Guys

I would like to get help regarding a Diesel Day tank which will be located inside the generator room. can you please help me with the following concerns

1. I have limited space in the generator room so I am planning to Design a 4000(L) x 300(W) x 3000(H) Day tank. but, I am not sure if this
sort of dimensions are acceptable. can you please advise in this regard.

2. The edge of this Diesel Day tank will be located at 900mm from the generator. also, I cannot increase the distance as I have space constraints.
I am concerned as the generator is constantly producing heat and expected temperature of the room if 53C which I suppose could be the flash point
of diesel. is this something that I should be concerned with? can you guys advise if 900mm is OK. this 900mm is also the minimum maintenance clearance
for the Generator itself.

 

[miningman]

Have you really thought this through??? I have been in a few large generator rooms and 53 degrees will be really problematic. Why does the tank have be inside the building??? Can your gennies efficiently utilise 53 degree intake air?? How are the operators supposed to maintain the equipment in this temperature???

 

[LittleInch]

Agree about the temperature - that's very high, but why have you got a day tank in the first place?

where is the fuel coming from to fill the day tank?

what is the daily / hourly consumption of the generator?.

Can you fill the day tank automatically once an hour or every 30 minutes??



Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

There are also limits to how much volume of fuel you can store within a building before you get into more restrictive fire suppression requirements.

 

[Physics_Nerd]

@miningman

The generators can operate on 53C with derating. they have selected a larger generator to deal with the higher temperature.
This is in saudi arabia. people are used to higher temperatures here. so operators going in for maintenance during summer time is not a problem

 

[Physics_Nerd]

@LittleInch

The generator capacity is high and the selected manufacturer does not have a Belly tank in the generator and hence the day tank.
the project requires us to have a day tank of 8 hours capacity and a bulk storage of 48 hours. This is standby genset
Gen consumption is 330L/hr based on the manufacturers data sheets

can you please advise on the dimensions of the Tank? I think we can have these in any shape and dimension.

 

[Physics_Nerd]

@pedd
I believe you are referring to NFPA 6.3.2.1. where 2500 L is the maximum volume allowed
if the tanks are not placed in a separate room.

we currently have NOVEC 1230 for the generator room. I know from previous projects that FOAM was
used. I think this Fire suppression system for the generator room is a subject open to interpretations and argumentations.

FOAM system will damage the generator switches. so, we preferred NOVEC 1230 over FOAM. our FLS consultant is saying that we need to have
an enclosed room with FOAM only for the day tank. the current design of the architecture and structure has limited flexibility in terms of
providing us with more space in the GEN room.

the main issue at this stage is the dimensional. I am afraid if there is some limitations with regards to the dimensions and shape of the
diesel tank. my design is 4000(L) x 300(W) x 3000(H). the tank is 4m long with only 300mm width and its 3m high. I am concerned with the dimension only
the FIre protection system and the question that are we allowed to have them in the gen room or not is still under discussion with several authorities here

can you please help with the dimension and shape itself. we have limitations with shape and size?

 

[Physics_Nerd]

I forgot to mention..... thanks for your answers

 

[LittleInch]

You can have any size tank you want in terms of dimensions so long as it drains into one location. The less "square" it is the more it costs per m3 storage, but I doubt that is a deal breaker here. Having some large flat sides could cause the sides to bulge and you might get some interesting stress concentration at the edges / corners, but it should work.

You maybe could use a flexible bladder type arrangement to fit into some odd shapes, e.g. the outside skin of a container.

Have you thought about a whole series of vertical pipes with a header at the base and top for a vent / fill.

Kind of like a vertical pipe radiator. Much much stronger than a plate tank.

would be easier to build for sure, but not as cheap and would need a little longer to get your volume. 15 off 12" pipes would give you a similar volume

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Physics_Nerd]

@LittleInch Thank you. we are only considering a rectangular tank to meet the day tank volume requirements.

Will wait for more answers.

 

[bimr]

https://www.safe-t-tank.com/tanks/generator-day-tanks/

 

[LittleInch]

The double wall thing is a good call as well. At 300mm thick (Presumably outside dimension) it doesn't leave much room for a double skin.

I think the phrase here is trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot...

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[curtis2004]

Really?

Physics_Nerd (Mechanical)
(OP)
1 Oct 19 05:30
@miningman

The generators can operate on 53C with derating. they have selected a larger generator to deal with the higher temperature.
This is in saudi arabia. people are used to higher temperatures here. so operators going in for maintenance during summer time is not a problem