Petroleum Storage Terminal | Biodiesel Fuel Storage Tank | RIDGLOK® Vertical Standing Seam Insulated Panel System installed on a Biodiesel ground storage tank, located in Coraopolis, PA for Buckeye Terminals. The biodiesel storage tank was a 21.15’ diameter x 25.4’ high welded tank, with a spiral stair casing. The fuel storage tank insulation project was completed in September, 2012. The tank was located inside the Buckeye petroleum bulk terminal.
The RIDGLOK® Vertical Standing Seam Insulated Panel System consisted of 0.024 stucco-embossed aluminum metal jacketing, in White color, laminated to 2” of polyisocyanurate insulation board (R-value of 13.1), using an X-design roof panel system.
The RIDGLOK® Vertical Standing Seam Insulated Panel System provides freeze protection for the biodiesel fuel stored inside the storage tank. Biodiesel needs insulation in northern parts of the United States because biodiesel tends to freeze, or gel, at higher temperatures than conventional diesel. The freeze temperature depends on the type of oil or fat that the biodiesel is made from.
A diesel fuel’s cold-weather characteristics are measured by the cloud point (CP), the cold filter plugging point (CFPP), and the pour point (PP). The cloud point is the temperature of the fuel at which small, solid crystals can be observed as the fuel cools. The cold filter plugging point is the temperature at which a fuel filter plugs due to fuel components that have crystallized or gelled. The pour point refers to the lowest temperature at which there is movement of the fuel when the container is tipped.
Compared to petro-diesel, biodiesel tends to have a much narrower range of temperatures between the cloud point and the pour point. Those who are used to dealing with petro-diesel may be surprised at this narrow range. While there may be a 20-degree difference between the cloud point and the pour point of petroleum diesel, biodiesel may have a difference of only a few degrees. (Per University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office.) Installation of the RIDGLOK® Vertical Standing Seam Insulated Panel System can increase the medium temperature of the storage tank reducing costs.
