Heat Loss from Oil Filled Tanks and Pipe Lines
Heat loss from the oil in a storage tank or pipe line can be roughly estimated from the values below.
| Application | Temperature difference between Oil and ambient Air (oF) | Heat Transfer Rate - α - (Btu/(hr ft2 oF)) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without Insulation | Insulated | ||
| Sheltered tanks | - 50 | 1.2 | 0.3 |
| 50 - 80 | 1.3 | 0.33 | |
| 80 - 100 | 1.4 | 0.35 | |
| Exposed tanks | - 50 | 1.4 | 0.35 |
| 50 - 80 | 1.5 | 0.38 | |
| 80 - 100 | 1.6 | 0.4 | |
| Tank in Pit | All Temperatures | 1.2 | - |
| Sheltered Pipe Line | - 80 | 1.5 | 0.4 |
| 80 - 260 | 2.3 | 0.58 | |
| Exposed Pipe Line | - 80 | 1.8 | 0.45 |
| 80 - 260 | 2.75 | 0.7 | |
- 1 Btu/(hr ft2 oF) = 5.678 W/(m2 oC) = 4.882 kcal/(h m2 oC)
- T (oC) = 5/9 (T (oF) - 32)
The total heat loss from an application can be calculated as:
Q = α A dt (1)
where
Q = heat loss (W, Btu/hr)
α = heat transfer rate (W/(m2 oC), Btu/hr ft2 oF)
A = area (m2, ft2)
dt = temperature difference (oC, oF)
Example - Heat loss from an insulated exposed tank
An insulated exposed tank with outside area of 1000 ft2 contains oil at temperature 90 oF. The surrounding temperature is 31 oF. With temperature difference 68 oF (90 oF - 31 oF) - the Heat Transfer Rate (α) from the table above is aprox. 0.4 Btu/hr ft2 oF.
The heat loss from the oil tank can be estimated to:
Q = (0.4 Btu/hr ft2 oF) (1000 ft2) ((90 oF) - (32 oF))
= 23200 Btu/hr
Related Topics
• Heating Systems
Design of heating systems - capacities and design of boilers, pipelines, heat exchangers, expansion systems and more.
Related Documents
Content in Horizontal - or Sloped - Cylindrical Tanks or Pipes
Volume of partly filled horizontal or sloped cylindrical tanks or pipes - online calculator.
Heat Loss from Open Water Tanks
Due to evaporation the heat loss from an open water tank like a swimming pool may be considerable.
Oil Filled Tanks - Heat Loss
Heat loss from insulated and uninsulated, sheltered and exposed heated oil tanks.
Oil Pipes - Head Loss
Head or pressure loss due to friction in oil pipes - various viscosity and laminar flow.
Oil Pipes - Heat Loss
Heat loss in W/mK and Btu/hr ft degF from oil tubes ranging temperatures 10 - 38 degC (50 - 100 degF).
Oil Pipes - Recommended Flow Velocities
Oil pipes flow velocities should be kept within certain limits.
Pipes - Insulated Heat Loss Diagrams
Heat loss (W/m) from 1/2 to 6 inches insulated pipes - ranging insulation thickness 10 to 80 mm and temperature differences 20 to 180 degC.
Pipes - Insulated Heat Loss Diagrams
Heat loss (W/ft) diagrams for 1/2 to 6 inches insulated pipes - ranging insulation thickness 0.5 to 4 inches and temperature differences 50 to 350 degF.
Pipes Submerged in Oil or Fat - Heat Emission
Heat emission from steam or water heating pipes submerged in oil or fat - forced and natural circulation.
Pipes Submerged in Water - Heat Emission
Heat emision from steam or water heating pipes submerged in water - assisted (forced) or natural circulation.
Steam Tracing Pipe Lines
Steam tracing of pipe lines can be done to maintain appropriate product temperatures.