Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks
o Introduction 2.2 OTHER REFERENCES
The venting requirements provided in this standard are API
based on studies of hexane stored in steel tanks. Sound engi- RP520 Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pres-
neering judgment should be applied when extrapolating these sure-Relieving Devices in Refineries, Part I
results to other liquids and nonmetallic tanks. - "Sizing and Selection"
Detailed engineering studies of a particular tank and its RP521 Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depres-
operating conditions may indicate that the appropriate vent- suring Systems
ing capacity for the tank is not the venting capacity estimated RP576 Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices
in accordance with this standard. If a tank's operating condi- Publ2210 Flame Arresters for Vents of Tanks Storing
tions could deviate from those used in developing this stan- Petroleum Products
dard, detailed engineering studies should be performed. RP2350 Overfill Protection for Petroleum Storage
Tanks
1 Scope Bull 2521 Use of Pressure-Vacuwn Vent Valves for
Atmospheric Pressure Tanks to Reduce
This standard covers the normal and emergency vapor
Evaporation Loss
venting requirements for aboveground liquid petroleum or
petroleum products storage tanks and aboveground and
underground refrigerated storage tanks designed for operation 3 Definition of Terms
at pressures from vacuum through 15 pounds per square inch For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions
gauge (1.034 bar gauge). Discussed in this standard are the apply:
causes of overpressure or vacuum; determination of venting
requirements; means of venting; selection, installation, and 3.1 accumulation: The pressure increase in a tank over
maintenance of venting devices; and testing and marking of its maximum allowable working pressure when the vent valve
relief devices. is relieving (expressed in pressure units or percentage of the
maximum allowable working pressure). Maximum allowable
accumulations are typically established by applicable codes
2 References
for operating and fire contingencies.
Unless otherwise specified, the referenced sections of the
most recent editions or revisions of the following standards, 3.2 barrel: A liquid writ of measure equal to 42 US gallons
codes, and specifications shall, to the extent specified herein, (0.159 cubic meters).
form a part of this standard. 3.3 STU: British Thermal Unit, a unit of heat that will
increase the temperature of one pound of water one degree
2.1 STANDARDS Fahrenheit.
API 3.4 emergency venting: The venting required when an
Std 620 Design and Construction of Large, Welded, abnormal condition, such as ruptured internal heating coils or
Low-Pressure Storage Tanks an external fire, exists either inside or outside of a tank.
Std 650 Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage
3.5 nonrefrigerated tank: A container that stores mate-
Std 2510 Design and Construction of Liquefied
rial in a liquid state without the aid of refrigeration either by
Petrolewn Gas (LPG) Installations
evaporation of the tank contents or by a circulating refrigera-
ASMEI tion system. Generally, the storage temperature will be close
PTC 19.5 Fluid Meters: Interim Supplement on to or higher than ambient temperature.
Instruments and Apparatus, Part II-
3.6 normal venting: The venting required because of
"Application"
operational requirements or atmospheric changes.
PTC25 Pressure Relief Devices
Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section 3.7 overpressure: The pressure increase at the valve
VIII, Division 1, Rules for Construction of inlet above the set pressure, when the valve is relieving,
Pressure Vessels expressed in pressure units or as a percentage of the set pres-
sure. It is the same as accumulation when the valve is set at
lAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, the maximum allowable working pressure and the inlet pip-
New York, New York 10017 ing losses are zero.
