Aboveground and Underground Storage Tanks

The ultimate objective of storing liquid, fluid and gaseous products, which may be corrosive, flammable or unstable, is to store material in an environmentally safe and economically viable manner. Storage tanks in the chemical process industries (CPI) can be most broadly divided into those buried underground, and those constructed aboveground. The following is an outline of considerations associated with each category and positive and negative aspects of each. Also included are potentially applicable regulations and codes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and others. Underground storage tank (UST) advantages Physical safety— USTs are out of the way of automobile traffic Fire safety— With a relatively constant underground temperature, USTs have superior vapor suppression and fire protection for flammable and volatile contents, as well as a reduced need for fire hazard permits Security— The American Petroleum Institute has shown that vandalism is a leading cause of tank failures. USTs are less subject to vandalism and easier to protect Aesthetics— USTs are out of sight, which eliminates a possible public objection Land use— USTs offer a more efficient…