What is Tank Blanketing and why is it required?

Monday, January 30, 2023

What is Tank Blanketing / Tank Padding?

Tank blanketing also known as tank padding is the process of filling the empty space or head space of a liquid storage vessel, mixing vessel or reactor with a gas. Nitrogen is by far the most common gas due to it’s relatively low cost and low reactivity but other gasses can be used.

Why is Tank Blanketing so important and in some cases required?

Blanketing is done for a variety of reasons:

• In situations where the contents of the vessel are combustible blanketing removes or at least significantly reduces the oxygen thus reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
• Blanketing also prevents the oxidation in a wide range of applications including foodstuffs where it can significantly increase the time a product can be stored. For example lipid oxidation in cooking oils causes detrimental changes to the taste and colour.
• A further function is to maintain the pressures in the vessel within safe limits.

So how do blanketing valves work?

Typically mounted at the top of the tank and fed by the gas supply the blanketing valve controls the pressure in the head space above the tanks contents by allowing gas to flow when the pressure drops below a set point usually below 60 mBar. In most installations a sense line runs from the tank to the valve’s sense port to provide the control pressure. Once the set point is reached the valve closes. The valve is sized so that the flow of blanketing gas is sufficient to cope with the vessel being emptied.

Control is achieved by partnering the blanketing valve with a back pressure relief valve (BPRV) which serves to relieve pressure when it rises above the set point when for example the tank is filled or thermal expansion causes the head space pressure to increase. This valve, sometimes known as a de-padding valve, is set to relieve at slightly above the vessels set pressure. Note that the more accurate both valves are the closer they can maintain the desired head space pressure.

Types of blanketing valves

Two types of blanketing valves are commonly available:

• Self-operated
• Pilot-operated

Mark 695 Series Piloted Tank Blanketing Regulator

Pilot-operated: Provide accurate pressure control at very low pressures

Mark 50 Series Self Operated Back Pressure Regulator

Self-operated: Applications include steam, water, oil, and chemicals

Self-operated valves

Self operated valves use internal pressure regulation in the form a spring pushing down on a diaphragm. They can use internal pressure regulation which avoids a sensing line which makes for easier installation but reduces accuracy or an external sensing line which improves accuracy at the expense of simplicity and can accurately maintain very low setpoints due to the comparatively small spring acting on a large diaphragm. For larger inlet pressures and flowrates the valves can be specifies with double seat and balances plug designs.

Pilot-operated valves

Pilot-operated blanketing valves essentially consist of two separate valves operating in together in which a smaller pilot valve controls the opening and closing of a larger valve which controls the blanketing gas flow and for situations where higher flows and greater accuracy are required a pilot operated valve is the better choice. An added advantage is that they are capable of quicker acting and cycle less than self operated valves which results in a reduction in the consumption of blanketing gas and hence cost of ownership.

Get in touch

It’s vital for the safe and efficient use of tank blanketing systems that the correct valve is selected which can handle the required flows and set pressures for the application. Contact PCT for expert advise and support to ensure you get the best solution.

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• How Does an Instrumentation Pressure Regulator Work?

Posted by Andy Mangell, Co-Owner / Sales Director