Flat Bottom Liquid Oxygen Tank

This project consisted of the construction of an elevated foundation and new double wall flat bottom liquid oxygen tank (LOX). The Liquid Oxygen is being stored at approximately -300 degrees which necessitates specific design and construction details. An elevated concrete foundation, built on concrete piers along with a leveling slab for the inner tank, is used to provide an “air-gap” below the tank to prevent freezing of the soil beneath the tank. The inner tank of material consisted of stainless steel which serves as the primary container for the liquid oxygen and the outer “tank” was constructed out of carbon steel which serves as container for perlite insulation which is placed in the space between the tanks. The exterior of the outer carbon steel tank was shop blasted, primed and then finish painted in the field after construction. All other appurtenances were also installed on the tank (nozzles, manways, stairs, handrails, platforms, etc). The tank also required all internal and external piping, and the installation of all required valves and instrumentation was also included. All necessary testing was conducted on the LOX tank: X-Raying and Hydrotesting. Finally, special cleaning and testing of all surfaces on the inner tank and the piping was completed which is required due to the high flammability of oxygen.