Transcript Document

Module 4:
Storage and Dispensing
Locations
1
Objective
• Upon completion of this module, participants will
be able to discuss common locations for storage
& dispensing of ethanol-blended fuels. It will
provide a basic understanding of these
storage/dispensing sites.
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Introduction
• Recognition of storage
locations in the community:
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Production facilities
Bulk tank farms
Rail transload
Farm cooperatives
Construction sites
Retail fueling stations
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Storage of EBFs
Production Facility
• Ethanol storage at
production facility:
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– Ethanol tanks (1 & 2)
– Denaturant tank (3)
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• Tanks are identified by
markings
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Storage of EBFs
Production Facility
Copyright 2009, IAFC
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Typically stored in conventional carbon steel
storage tanks
– May be smaller than other tanks at terminal
• 3 general types of storage tanks:
– Cone roof (closed-top) tanks
– External floating roof (EFR) tanks have open top
with a floating pan
– Internal floating roof (IFR) tanks with closed top &
internal floating pan
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Internal floating roof
(IFR) tanks:
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Closed roof
Internal floating pan
Eyebrow venting
Proper markings
Fire protection
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Built-in fire protection systems:
– Fixed systems:
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Combination of devices permanently installed
Provide fire protection
Can be activated manually and/or by detection device
Fire protection systems should meet current industry
standards & codes
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Built-in fire
protection systems
Fixed foam
system
Copyright 2009, IAFC
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Fire Protection Systems
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Pre-planning for potential incidents at tank farm
facilities is extremely important
• Fire departments that help provide protection to
tank farm facilities should have:
– Access to high-flow fire fighting foam equipment
– Large supplies of compatible AR-AFFF foam
available on hand
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Consortiums between multiple tank farm
operations & fire department
• Built-in fire suppression systems currently best
protection for large storage tanks
• Fire department personnel should be familiar
with systems & pre-calculate required flow rates
• Pre-plan operations supplying systems
• Practice exercise at least annually
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Challenges:
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Provide limited access for fire fighting equipment
Ensure adequate water supplies in area
Contend with containment dikes & their systems
Include miles of exposed product piping
Include loading rack facilities
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Spill containment dikes usually designed to
contain largest tank in facility
Copyright 2009, IAFC
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Pre-fire planning extremely important
• Pre-established working relations between fire
department & facility operators
Property of Wikimedia® Commons,
reprinted with permission
Property of Wikimedia® Commons
reprinted with permission
15
Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Terminals
• Small bulk plant & distribution facilities
– Smaller bulk distribution storage facilities may
pose greatest challenge to local fire departments
• Possibilities include:
– No fire protection
– Unstaffed
– Limited site resources
• Flammable liquid fuels stored at facilities in
modest quantities
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Facilities
• Vertical storage tanks
– Also known as “dome
roof” tanks
– Bolted vs. welded
construction
– Differences in fire
behavior if not
constructed to
API 650 specifications
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Facilities
• Small storage tanks
– Horizontal
– Vertical
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Storage of EBFs
Bulk Storage Facilities
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Transloading Sites
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Storage of EBFs
Retail Dispensing Stations
• Majority have underground
storage tanks
• Relatively small in storage
volume, large in number
throughout the U.S.
• May/may not have vapor recovery
systems associated with sites
• Larger volume retail fueling
stations may have above-ground
storage tanks
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Storage of EBFs
Retail Dispensing Stations
• EBF normally stored in:
– Underground tanks
– Small volume above-ground steel
tanks
• Vertical/horizontal design
• Filled by highway cargo tankers
• E10 distributed to ~160,000
fueling sites
• E85 distributed to thousands of
fueling sites
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Storage of EBFs
Retail Dispensing Stations
• Stored in horizontal
underground tanks
– Location of:
• Emergency shut-off
valves
• Loading & unloading
points vary
• Risers for multiple tanks
color-coded/marked to
identify product
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Summary
• Most commonly found ethanol-blended fuel at
terminal facilities is denatured fuel ethanol
• Facilities that are equipped with fixed fire
suppression systems should be pre-planned
• Pre-planning for potential events at tank farm
facilities extremely important
• Small, bulk, & farm sites have varying amounts
of EBFs stored
• Retail fueling stations may have small storage,
however sheer number may require additional
planning
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Activity 4.1:
Ethanol in Your Jurisdiction
• Purpose:
– To allow participants to determine the potential for
ethanol emergency in their jurisdictions.
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