Choosing API 650 and API 620 Tanks
Uploaded by
rajachemChoosing API 650 and API 620 Tanks
Uploaded by
rajachemChoosing Between API 620...
Page 1
419-826-4816
Choosing Between API 620 and 650 for
Your Storage Tank
Posted by Ken Brakefield
Topics: Swanton Welding, Custom Fabrication
Tweet Share 0 Like 0 Share
The American
Petroleum Industry
(API) has established
https://blog.swantonweld.co... 1/29/2018 9:36:59 AM
Choosing Between API 620... Page 2
standards for the
design, fabrication
and construction of
welded steel storage
tanks for storing oil.
The most popular
tanks available on the
market today are the
620 and 650 models,
but which is right for you? The answer depends on what you require out of the
product.API 620 regulates the design and manufacture of large steel low-
pressure storage tanks, usually larger than 300 feet in diameter. By contrast,
API Standard 650 is typically used for carbon, stainless steel and aluminium
tanks located in terminals, refineries, pipelines and other process facilities. Both
have different pressure and temperature parameters as well. Your choice of
model will depend on you and/or your client’s particular needs.
Actual Standards
If you require the complete API Standard 620, 10th Edition, February 2002, click
here. For the complete API Standard 650, 10th Edition, March 2007, click here.
API 620
The design configuration of API 620 requires that you have an elevated or flat
bottom on which to store it. The tank has a single, vertical, centered axis of
revolution with a minimum material thickness of 3/16 inch. Other attributes of
API 620 include:
• It is constructed from carbon steel, austenitic stainless steel and nickel
alloys (low temperature only).
• A Welding Certification is stipulated by American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME), Section 10.
• There is a required inspection, no third party.
• The inspection cost is the cost of the non-destructive inspection (NDE)
Benefits of API 620 are:
1. It is used for products which have high internal pressure such as liquefied
natural gas (LNG) and cryogenic tanks.
https://blog.swantonweld.co... 1/29/2018 9:36:59 AM
Choosing Between API 620... Page 3
2. It can store contents at a higher pressure (maximum 15 pounds per
square inch (PSI) of gas or vapor storage) and lower temperature (-325
degrees F to 250 degrees F) than API 650.
3. It can store any liquid.
API 650
API 650 sets minimum
requirements for the design,
material, construction, and
testing for aboveground, open
and closed-top, cylindrical steel
storage tanks in different
capacities and sizes, roughly
equating to the pressure of the
atmosphere (not greater than the
weight of the roof plates). If
additional requirements are met,
higher internal pressures are allowed. API 650 only covers tanks that support
the whole bottom evenly and tanks in non-refrigerated service that have a
maximum design temperature of 200 degrees F. It requires that you have a
minimum material thickness of 3/16 inch. Other attributes of API 650 are:
• It is constructed from carbon steel, austenitic duplex stainless steel, and
aluminium
• A Welding Certification is stipulated by American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME), Section 10.
• There is a required inspection, no third party.
• The inspection cost is the cost of the NDE.
Benefits of API 650 include:
1. It can store oil, gas, chemical, water and biofuel for some of the most
common tanks in the oil industry.
2. It can store contents at a lower pressure (maximum of 2 ½ PSI) but at
much higher temperature (-40 degrees F to 500 degrees F) than the
standards of API 620.
3. It can be any tank size.
https://blog.swantonweld.co... 1/29/2018 9:36:59 AM
Choosing Between API 620... Page 4
Hopefully, this article provides some clarification for those of you in the metal
fabrication industry regarding the key differences between API Standards 620
and 650 for storage tanks. To quickly summarize, API 620 can store contents at
a lower temperature and higher pressure whereas API 650 permits a lower
amount of pressure at a higher temperature. Given that, and knowing your
specific pressure and temperature requirements, you can see that choosing
your standard carefully is critical. If you need help, contact the experts at
Swanton Welding today.
Topics: Swanton Welding, Custom Fabrication
First Name*
Last Name
Email*
Website
Comment*
https://blog.swantonweld.co... 1/29/2018 9:36:59 AM
Choosing Between API 620... Page 5
Subscribe to follow-up comments for this post
Type the text
Privacy & Terms
Submit Comment
Subscribe to Email Updates
Email*
Subscribe
Recent Posts
• Differences in Stitch Welding Versus Seam Welding
• Welding Carbon Steel to Stainless Steel
• Project Spotlight: Truck Dump Platform Project
• Reducing Costs Without Cutting Corners In Structural Steel Fabrication
• The Science Behind Painting
• Employee Spotlight: Kody Kessler
• Quality Control: Know Your Steel
• Your Essential Guide to Fabricated Storage Tanks
• Employee Spotlight: Toby Curtis
https://blog.swantonweld.co... 1/29/2018 9:36:59 AM
Choosing Between API 620... Page 6
• The Coal Mining Industry Relies on Steel Fabricators
Posts by Topic
• Steel (40)
• Structural Steel Fabrication (39)
• Swanton Welding (38)
• Custom Fabrication (32)
• Custom Metal Fabrication (25)
see all
Services
Custom Metal Fabrication
Structural Steel Fabrication
Custom Welding
Heavy Fabrication
Steel Processing
Rolling & Forming
Painting and Blasting
CNC Machining
Company Information
https://blog.swantonweld.co... 1/29/2018 9:36:59 AM
Choosing Between API 620... Page 7
Custom Fabrication
History
Leadership
Careers
Locations
Privacy Policy
Sitemap
Contact Us
407 Zeiter Way
Swanton, OH 43558
Phone: 419-826-4816
Email: [email protected]
Connect With Us
Copyright © 2017 Swanton Welding & Machining, all rights reserved. | Privacy Policy
