Oil boiler tanks and explosion energy dissipation

[JoeH78]

Dear All,

My Client is planning to install 40m3 vertical ng operated boiler, 2 units of storage tank where each has 3000 litre capacity for oil storage.

As per the nfpa with which design number must we follow for.designing such boiler room? Aside from that is it compulsory to have foam based extinguishing system ( if so nfpa reference please)or can we simply rely on esfr sprinkler types.

In order to avoid any explosion damage local fd requests the blast resistant wall to be constructed along the adjacent edges of boiler room with existing building. As a result to do that Structural engineers requires the lateral blast energy in terms of kN/m2 on walls roofing foundation which serve as basis for design of those structural elements. How am I supposed to that ?

Your guidance will be appreciated

 

[MJCronin]

"Oil storage" ??? .. Please be specific ... diesel ?... Number two or number six ???... Jet Fuel ??... what is it ?

Not all fuels present an explosion threat .... Not all boiler installations require a "blast resistant wall"

Can you provide some design tank details ?... Can you provide plant layout configuration ? ... is there a tank bund ?

Why is the tank so close to the boiler ? .... Why is this "blast wall" needed ?

Here in the west, we follow general fuel siting guidelines like OSHA, UL, API, State and and NFPA-30 guidelines ... These helpful and detailed guidelines cover tank location, containments, venting and fire protection systems

More detailed and complete information will give yoiu better answers ....

Tell us more

Anyone else ?????????

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[JoeH78]

"Oil storage" ??? .. Please be specific ... diesel ?... Number two or number six ???... Jet Fuel ??... what is it ?

SDS says that: Oil is suitable for use as heat transfer fluid in the food and pharmaceutical industries. It can also be applied in various industries such as textiles, chemicals, automotive, asphalt,
cement, wood, etc.

Article number 029098
NSF-H1, HT1 registration 156 393
Chemical composition, type of oil hydrogenated mineral oil
Density at 20 °C approx. 0.88 g/cm³
Kinematic viscosity, DIN 51562 pt. 01/ASTM D-445/ASTM D 7042, 40 °C approx. 19 mm²/s
Vapour pressure at 315°C approx. 38 kPa
Max. recommended operating temperature - direct firing <= 316 °C
Max. recommended operating temperature - other heating systems <= 332 °C
Max. recommended film temperature <= 343 °C
Min. start-up temperature (300 mPa s) -3 °C
Min. operating temperature 20 mPa s) 36 °C
Flash point, DIN EN ISO 2592, Cleveland, open-cup apparatus >= 150 °C
Boiling point approx. 371 °C
Minimum shelf life from the date of manufacture - in a dry, frost-free place and in the unopened
original container, approx.
60 months

Here is the layout
[URL unfurl="true"]https://res.cloudinary.com/engineering-com/image/upload/v1656166434/tips/layout_ygtdqi.bmp[/url]

Can you provide some design tank details ?... Can you provide plant layout configuration ? ... is there a tank bund ?
Why is the tank so close to the boiler ? .... Why is this "blast wall" needed ?

Well actually boiler room will constructed where it shares the common border with the existing building (ware house, production area), oil heaters and expansion tanks are not positioned close to the adjacent building they are positioned more on the outer wall of boiler room, it definitely is more logical and expedient for the blast release direction.

Yes there will be tank bund, where the capacity of that will be 2000litres. The blast wall is needed by local Fire department but no one knows on what basis. That's why I'm trying to figure out.

 

[JoeH78]

Is it mandatory by NFPA to use water based extinguishing systems(e.g. sprinklers) or can end-user choose the type of fire protection , foam, carbon-dioxide, steam and chemical?

Along with that is it mandatory to construct the blast resistant wall by NFPA regulation ?

 

[LittleInch]

Joe.

You're getting into deep water here. NFPA are a set of codes which can be very difficult to work through and add on local regulations and people like the fire dept and other officials and you really need a local "loss prevention" company or engineer familiar with both to help you through.

Unless your local legislation requires compliance with NFPA then nothing is "mandatory".

Waste is not always the answer and in places like switch rooms and electrical buildings they use gas instead of water.

Never heard of steam being used though....

Also note insurance companies can get involved as well....

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