Have you ever seen an API 650 storage tank sail away during a storm?

As August progresses and the risk of hurricanes increases so does the risk of a storm surge turning your storage tanks into sailboats. Please consider the risk of a storm surge on your tanks before it happens. 

One great option is to fill the tanks enough to prevent them from becoming buoyant in the first place. Filling the tank with product, similar products, or even water can add enough weight to prevent tanks from floating away. Please consider the downstream effects of each before selecting the fill option that is best for you and make a plan before the storm comes. 

Another option is to use shell anchorage to prevent the tank from floating when it becomes buoyant. Make sure you incorporate shell anchorage into the original design if this option is used. COMPRESS makes this easy by putting the shell anchorage option directly into the tank dialog. Keep in mind that anchorage alone may not completely prevent failure of the tank bottom when it becomes buoyant as high stresses can occur at the shell-to-anchorage intersection. 

Special thanks to Carlos F Molina for sharing so much of his tank experience with me. Check out his APIExam newsletter for more in-depth information regarding API 510, API 650, and API 653 and how to pass the exams!

Did you know you can add stairs directly to your API 650 tank design in COMPRESS?

I enjoy telling myself “I’m not that old” but tank ladders provide real-world cases to prove otherwise. Providing stair access to new API 650 storage tanks is an inexpensive way for Owner/Operators to boost morale and improve safety at their tank farms.

I prefer to add stairs during the design phase because the additional weight can have a big impact on calculations.