In industrial and manufacturing environments, field-erected tanks play a pivotal role in large-scale storage and processing operations. These massive structures are specifically designed to hold liquids, gases, or bulk materials (i.e., grains like corn or wheat), and their construction is tailored to a site’s unique requirements. Unlike shop-fabricated tanks, field-erected tanks are assembled and constructed directly at the installation site. This capability enables them to achieve sizes and capacities far beyond the limitations of manufacturing and transportation logistics.
For industries that rely on precision engineering and durability, understanding the different types of industrial storage tanks is crucial. Field-erected tanks represent one of the most versatile options, capable of meeting the storage needs of various sectors, from oil and gas to chemical processing.
What is a Field-Constructed Tank?
A field-constructed tank is another name for a field-erected tank. It refers to a storage solution built entirely on-site, offering unmatched flexibility in size and application. These tanks are often categorized among the various types of industrial storage tanks due to their adaptability. Field construction eliminates the constraints of factory-built designs, making it a preferred choice for large-scale storage.
Field-erected tanks come in a variety of shapes and configurations to meet specific industry requirements. Shape distinctions include vertical, horizontal, and spherical tank designs. Other configuration options include size, roof type (floating or fixed), and material used.
How Big is a Field-Erected Tank?
The size of a field-erected tank is only limited by the physical constraints of the construction site and the intended application. These tanks can range from tens of thousands to millions of gallons in capacity, depending on industry requirements. For instance, agricultural tanks typically range from 100,000 to 500,000 gallons, while a water treatment facility may hold up to 3 million gallons. In addition to capacity, the tank size may also refer to diameter, wall thickness, or height. Industries requiring bulk material storage, such as agriculture, often rely on tanks spanning several stories in height.
Understanding the technical specifications and material requirements for the application is key to ensuring the structural integrity of such massive tanks.
What is the Meaning of Field-Erected?
The term “field-erected” signifies the on-site construction of a tank rather than manufacturing it in a controlled shop environment. Often chosen for its scalability, this method accommodates larger dimensions and capacities that shop-built tanks cannot achieve. Field-erected tanks are common across industries that demand robust storage solutions, such as petrochemicals, water treatment, and energy production.
To ensure their performance and durability, the construction process follows strict standards, such as those established by API 650 (the American Petroleum Institute), the EPA, ASTM, and OSHA. These guidelines ensure that the tank’s design aligns with industry best practices, environmental safety, and the client’s specific requirements.
What is a Field-Erected Tank?
A field-erected tank is an industrial storage solution constructed on-site to meet the demands of high-capacity storage. These tanks are distinguished by their ability to store a variety of materials, including hazardous chemicals, potable water, and fuels. Compared to shop-fabricated tanks, field-erected tanks offer superior scalability and customization options.
Field-erected tanks can be aboveground (AST) or underground storage tanks (USTs) depending upon the industry. ASTs are often used for the oil, chemical, and water treatment industries. USTs have many applications, but are well-suited for hazardous material storage that could pose environmental hazards if improperly handled, such as petroleum or chemicals.
What Size Are Field-Erected Tanks?
Field-erected tanks come in a wide range of sizes, tailored to the specific needs of a project. These tanks are often used in applications where high-capacity storage is essential, such as refineries, water treatment plants, and food processing facilities. For example, oil and gasoline tanks may require from 100,000 to 2 million gallons, while those built for chemical processing start at a lower capacity of 50,000 gallons, but can often reach up to 1.5 million gallons.
In addition to sheer volume, tank size can also be measured by considering height, diameter, and wall thickness. The selection process for tank dimensions typically involves an evaluation of site constraints, material requirements, and storage capacity goals. Therefore, working with a tank-building company with field construction expertise is key.
Representing the pinnacle of industrial storage solutions, field-erected tanks combine scalability, customization, and robust performance. As a critical component of industries like petrochemicals, water treatment, and energy, these tanks ensure that operations can run efficiently and securely.
To understand the full scope of field-erected tank storage options, contact Kennedy Tank today. As one of the top tank-building companies, we’ll guide your project with expertise to ensure the highest standards of quality are met.
