Tank storage

Tank farms are facilities for the storage and handling of liquid and gaseous substances such as petroleum products and chemicals. They typically consist of several above-ground, cylindrical tanks and serve as important transshipment points for products and raw materials.

Definition
Tank farms are specialized facilities used for the storage and handling of various liquid and gaseous substances. These include petroleum products, chemicals, gases, biofuels and synthetic fuels. They usually consist of several tanks, which are usually constructed above ground and cylindrical.

Background / Origin
Tank farms have established themselves as essential infrastructure in the energy and raw materials industry to ensure the storage and handling of required substances. The legal regulations and DIN standards that apply to the construction and operation of tank farms are crucial for ensuring both safety and environmental protection. Internationally differing requirements and standards influence the construction methods and operating practices of tank farms.

In Germany, the Petroleum Stockpiling Association (EBV) has been responsible for the security of supply of crude oil since 1978. It organizes the storage of minimum stocks of crude oil and products in order to guarantee supplies even in times of crisis. Since the introduction of EU Directive 2009/119/EC, Member States have been obliged to maintain minimum stocks of petroleum products.

Properties
Tank farms are made of various materials, the most common being steel, concrete in combination with plastic, glass fiber reinforced plastic, nylon and polyethylene. The design and equipment of the tanks vary:
- Construction types: fixed roof tanks with and without internal floating roof, external floating roof tanks, cup tanks and cryogenic storage tanks.
- Equipment: Some tanks have special paint colors to reduce emission values. Crude oil tanks are often equipped with agitators or mixing nozzles.

The choice of materials and construction as well as the specific equipment of a tank depend on the properties of the stored products, in particular their temperature and safety requirements.

Application and importance in the market
Tank farms not only act as transshipment points, but also as important safety reserves, especially in countries without their own crude oil reserves. Tank farms play a central role in the storage of petroleum products, as they ensure a continuous supply to industry and consumers. Tank farms are often located near waterways in order to use the preferred transportation route via sea or inland waterway vessels.

The logistical infrastructure of tank farms includes jetties, pipeline connections and facilities for tank wagons and tank trucks to enable efficient onward transportation of the products.

Differentiation from similar terms
- Warehouses: In contrast to tank farms, warehouses are primarily used to store solid goods and are not specialized for liquid or gaseous substances.
- Transshipment points: While tank farms are specifically designed for the storage and transshipment of liquids, transshipment points can also be used for solid goods.

Summary
Tank farms are key facilities for the storage and handling of liquid and gaseous substances. They consist of different materials and types of construction that are tailored to the stored products. Compliance with safety and environmental protection standards is also of central importance. In addition, tank farms make a significant contribution to security of supply in countries without their own crude oil reserves.