The engineering task
A product must remain above its freezing or minimum pumping temperature during long shutdowns. Heat loss varies with fill level, ambient conditions, wind, insulation and un-wetted surfaces.
Filling, emptying and cooling displace or contract the vapour space. Rapid steam condensation can create more severe vacuum than normal withdrawal. Heating duty and tank breathing must therefore be assessed together.
Required design data
- Tank geometry and level range
- Product properties and minimum temperature
- Ambient, wind and insulation conditions
- Filling, withdrawal and cooling rates
Technical solution approach
Model geometry and level
Determine volume, wetted surface and vapour space across the full level range.
Calculate heat losses
Balance shell, roof, bottom, nozzles and piping using their individual boundary conditions.
Size the heating system
Separate holding duty from reheating; provide tracing or heating surface for the worst condition with margin.
Simulate pressure history
Assess vapour-space pressure during filling, withdrawal and cooling with possible condensation.
Define breathing capacity
Size normal venting, emergency venting and vacuum breaker for their distinct cases.
Expected deliverables
Suitable SOL ALPHA modules
The modules form a technically plausible toolchain. Their final selection and sequence will be confirmed during the later calculation against the applicable code and project conditions.