Heat Loss from Oil filled Tanks and Pipe Lines

Heat loss from insulated and non insulated sheltered and exposed tanks and pipes

An average heat loss from oil in storage tanks and pipe lines can be estimated to:

Application Temperature of Oil (oF) Heat Transfer Rate - α - (Btu/hr ft2 oF)
Without Insulation Insulated
Sheltered tanks Up to 50 1.2 0.3
50 to 80 1.3 0.33
80 to 100 1.4 0.35
Exposed tanks Up to 50 1.4 0.35
50 to 80 1.5 0.38
80 to 100 1.6 0.4
Tank in Pit All Temperatures 1.2 -
Sheltered Pipe Line Up to 80 1.5 0.4
80 to 260 2.3 0.58
Exposed Pipe Line Up to 80 1.8 0.45
80 to 260 2.75 0.7

The total heat loss from the application can be expressed as:

Q = α A dt         (1)

where

Q = heat loss (Btu/hr)

α = heat transfer rate (Btu/hr ft2 oF)

A = area (ft2)

dt = temperature difference (oF)

Example - Heat loss from an insulated exposed tank

For an insulated exposed tank with outside area of 1000 ft2, containing oil at 90oF and a surrounding temperature at 32oF, the Heat Transfer Rate - α - from the table is 0.4 Btu/hr ft2 oF.

The heat loss can be calculated as:

Q = (0.4 Btu/hr ft2 oF) (1000 ft2) ((90 oF) - (32 oF))

    = 23,200 Btu/hr

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