Tank farms are central nodes of industrial supply. They serve the safe storage and provision of liquid and gaseous media and connect logistical processes with structural, mechanical, and safety requirements. In planning, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction, steel and concrete construction meet methods of separation, cutting, and controlled demolition. In everyday work, hydraulic tools from Darda GmbH are frequently used, such as concrete demolition shear, hydraulic wedge splitter, tank cutters for reduced sparks, steel shear, combination shears, multi cutters, and the associated hydraulic power pack—always with the aim of working in a controlled manner, with low emissions and reduced sparks.
Definition: What is meant by a tank farm
A tank farm is a structural-technical facility for the storage, transfer, and provision of substances in stationary containers (storage tanks) including peripherals. Typical components are cylindrical or spherical tanks, containment areas or retention basins, pipelines, pumping stations, valves and measuring points, fire and leak protection, traffic and working areas, as well as facilities for drainage and separation. Tank farms are found in the energy sector, in the chemical and process industries, at transport logistics hubs, and in large plants with their own media demand. Central aspects are structural tightness, secondary containment, leak monitoring, and the protection of soil and water.
Structure and components of a tank farm
A functional tank farm combines steel and concrete construction with process engineering systems. Tanks stand on foundations, are connected to pipe racks, and are embedded in containment areas. Measurement and control technology, inerting, ventilation, and fire-fighting systems are added. Working and traffic areas must be load-bearing, dissipative, and easy to clean.
Tanks and containment areas
Storage tanks are usually made of welded steel plates with corrosion protection inside and out. Roofs are fixed or floating, and manway covers allow access. Underground or above-ground containment areas (retention basins, berms, concrete sumps) collect released media in the event of an incident. Concrete components must be executed to be crack- and chemical-resistant; joint seals and coatings ensure tightness.
Peripherals, pipelines, and valves
Product lines connect tanks with supply and discharge stations. They run on pipe racks or are buried in protective pipes. Fittings such as slide gates, valves, and safety devices are consolidated in operating areas. Measuring points monitor fill levels, temperatures, pressures, and leaks. Grounding and equipotential bonding reduce ignition risks from electrostatic charging.
Materials and construction methods: steel and concrete in the tank farm
The combination of steel and concrete construction shapes the design and later maintenance. Steel components are load-bearing, easy to segment, and recyclable; concrete provides mass, containment, and durability. Joints, penetrations, and transitions between materials are structurally sensitive zones.
Foundations, basins, and support structures made of concrete
Foundations distribute tank loads evenly. Concrete sumps and berms provide secondary containment. Requirements for crack widths, reinforcement, coating systems, and drainage determine execution and subsequent refurbishability. During partial deconstruction, concrete demolition shear provide controlled size reduction, while hydraulic rock and concrete splitters open thick-walled components with low vibration levels.
Pipe racks and steel construction
Pipe racks carry static and thermal loads and allow inspection. During modification or deconstruction, load-bearing systems are cut free section by section. Steel shear, combination shears, and multi cutters separate sections, plates, and mixed composites; tank cutters segment shell plates with reduced sparks. This reduces ignition sources and facilitates clean material separation for recycling.
Technical specifics and requirements in tank farms
Processes in tank farms often take place in areas with elevated ignition and hazard potential. cold cutting and hydraulic cutting and splitting technology are therefore common. Good visibility and accessibility, minimizing sparks, dust control, and control of residual media are crucial. Hydraulic power units are—where possible—positioned outside hazardous areas; lines and couplings are checked for tightness and sufficient flow. For concrete components, the choice of method (press splitting, shear-based crushing, cutting) depends on wall thicknesses, reinforcement ratio, coating, and the need for low vibration levels near sensitive installations.
Maintenance, modification, and deconstruction in the tank farm
Refurbishment works range from coating changes to partial deconstruction of concrete sumps, pipeline modifications, or complete tank dismantling. Careful preparation, product-free condition, and step-by-step segmentation are decisive. Tools from Darda GmbH cover typical task areas and support controlled, precise separation and demolition without heat-generating methods.
Concrete demolition shear in containment and foundation areas
Concrete demolition shear reduce the size of foundations, ring beams, and walls of containment areas in a controlled manner. Reinforcement is exposed and can then be separated with steel shear. Point-accurate work is helpful where adjacent structures, pipe racks, or cable routes must be protected.
Hydraulic wedge splitter for massive components
Hydraulic wedge splitter create defined split joints via hydraulic wedges. They are suitable for thick-walled concrete sumps, pedestals, block foundations, and concrete covers. Advantages are low vibration levels, good crack control, and the reduction of secondary emissions. This is particularly relevant in operating plants and sensitive areas.
Tank cutters, steel shear, combination shears, and multi cutters
Tank cutters segment shell plates, roofs, and internals with reduced sparks. Steel shear cut sections, flanges, and fittings; combination shears and multi cutters prove their worth when plates, reinforcing steels, and mixed composites must be cut alternately. Pipeline networks are cut free in sections, dismantled, and laid down in an orderly manner.
Hydraulic power pack as the energy source
Hydraulic power pack provide flow and pressure for mobile tools. Hose lengths, pressure loss, and temperature management influence power output. Clean hydraulics reduce wear and keep tool performance stable. In critical areas, remote placement and remote-control concepts facilitate safe application.
Work sequences in tank dismantling
The starting point is product-free condition: residual emptying, cleaning, flushing, and—in some cases—inerting. This is followed by gas-free measurements, clearances, and the setup of working and restricted areas. Dismantling often begins with the roof and internals, then the shell is separated in segmented bands from top to bottom. The tank floor is finally freed of internals, segmented, and removed. Containment berms and concrete sumps are refurbished or deconstructed depending on condition; here, concrete demolition shear and hydraulic wedge splitter are used to open walls and foundations partially or fully.
Safety and explosion protection in the work environment
Minimizing ignition sources, dissipating static charges, organized ventilation, and good coordination with plant operations are key factors. cold cutting reduces the risk of sparks. Dust, noise emission, and media emissions are limited by adapted cutting sequences, dust extraction, and wetting. Safety distance, line of sight, and clear communication channels are crucial when steel and concrete works are combined. Legal requirements and permits are always application-dependent and must be observed as a matter of principle.
Low-emission methods and cold cutting
Hydraulic shears, tank cutters, and demolition shears operate without flame and without a thermal kerf. This is advantageous in areas with potentially flammable residues. Concrete work with concrete demolition shear generates few sparks; press splitting simultaneously reduces vibration. The material flow remains clean by type: steel to scrap, concrete to mineral recycling.
Environmental and water protection
Containment, sealing surfaces, and drainage facilities protect soil and water. During modification and deconstruction, temporary collection trays are set up, drips are captured, and disposed of after cleaning. Concrete demolition debris can contain coated or hazardous substances zones; separation by fractions facilitates proper handling. Targeted size reduction with concrete demolition shear and the controlled splitting of massive components reduce dust and ease handling.
Areas of application and typical scenarios for tools in the tank farm
Work on tank farms combines several fields of application: concrete demolition and special demolition when opening sumps and foundations, strip-out and cutting for pipeline networks and steel structures, as well as special operations in hard-to-access zones. In site expansions, geological interventions may be required; rocky subsoil may need local adjustment—an environment in which hydraulic wedge splitter can also be used methodically outside classic excavations.
Planning, documentation, and quality assurance
Methodical planning includes cutting and segmentation plans, markings, test cut, and trial splitting. Material testing and coating analyses support the choice of the separation method. Ongoing documentation of steps, material flow, and clearances creates transparency. Rework on edges, residual coatings, or internals is planned early; concrete demolition shear often take over finishing on remaining webs and upstands, while tank cutters and steel shear prepare steel sorting.
Terminology and related facilities
The term tank farm encompasses both large-scale tank fields and in-plant depots. Above-ground tanks differ significantly from buried vessels in containment and accessibility. Spheres and cylinders, fixed roofs and floating roofs, single- and double-walled designs: this variety has a direct impact on the choice of cutting and demolition technology. Where concrete containment dominates, concrete demolition shear and hydraulic wedge splitter are key tools; in steel-dominated assemblies, tank cutters, steel shear, combination shears, and multi cutters come to the fore, powered by suitable hydraulic power pack.