Types of Storage Tanks

There many shapes and sizes of storage tanks. Their choice depends on type of product to be stored, fire potential of product and amount of product to be stored.

In this article, we will discuss the most common type of vessels found in process facilities.

Cone-Roof Tank

This low-pressure fixed roof tank and is used for countless products, including petroleum, chemicals, petrochemicals, food products, and water.

Cone Roof Tank
Cone Roof Tank

Dish Roof Storage Tank

These are fixed roof storage tank with dish shape head. These are used for liquids at higher pressure.

Dished Roof Storage Tank
Dished Roof Storage Tank

Flat Roof Storage Tank

This is a fixed roof storage tank generally used for water storage.

Flat Roof Storage Tank for Water
Flat Roof Storage Tank for Water

Floating-Roof Tank

The roof of this tank  rises and lowers with the stored contents, thereby reducing vapor loss and minimizing fire hazard. It is commonly found in oil refineries.

Floating Roof Tank
Floating Roof Tank

Low-Temperature Storage Tank

This tank stores liquefied gases at their boiling point. Products found in such tanks include ammonia (-28° F), propane ( —43.7° F), and methane (-258° F).

Low Temperature Storage Tank
Low Temperature Storage Tank

Horizontal Pressure Tank -Bullet Tank

Bullet tanks are usually shop fabricated vessels used to store products under high pressure. The heads of these vessels are either elliptical or hemispherical. The hemispherical heads are used when higher pressures are required.

LPG Bullets
LPG Bullets

Horton Sphere Pressure Storage Tank

This is a spherical tank, used to store large quantities of liquids and gases under high pressure. Often there is limited road access to a plant site. So it is easier to erect a Horton Sphere in the field instead of prefabricating it somewhere else and transporting it to site.

Horton Sphere
Horton Sphere