Civil Engineering Services: Fuel and Oil Bund Storage Systems

30 April 2020

Properties that deal with fuel and oil usually store them in storage tanks. And while modern storage tanks are designed to effectively store huge volumes of the mentioned materials, they can still get damaged after a long time of use. Once they get damaged, the fuel or oil that is stored on these tanks can leak and subsequently cause danger to the property and its surrounding community.

One of the best aspects of civil engineering is that it can effectively solve problems like this. For civil engineers, the best way to regulate the damages caused by leaking tanks is to construct an effective bund storage system. This type of system has been proven to mitigate problems and issues caused by leaking or spilling tanks or any other storage mechanisms.

Principles of Bund Storage Systems

Bund storage systems are typically constructed to surround tanks and other storage structures. They are made to effectively contain liquid spillages and leaks from the mentioned storage units and prevent them from flowing into the process area or to other surrounding properties.

These bund storage systems are comprised of a wall perimeter and flooring that are composed of brick, stone, concrete, or other impervious materials. The whole structure of these storage systems is normally constructed above ground and higher than the remainder of a property for more effective containment of liquid products. Their higher elevation also makes the clean-up, repairs, and maintenance operations easier. Bunds are likewise utilised to prevent pollution, serve as a protection against fire, and recover products.

Bund Storage System Specifications

Some key factors must be considered and incorporated in building bund storage systems. Some of these factors are:

  • Net Capacity: The recommended net capacity of a bund storage system in a specific storage site or facility must be at least 120% of the net capacity of the largest tank. Aside from the largest tank, the owner of the site must also calculate the capacity displaced by all other tanks on the area so that the bund storage system can function well during emergency spills or leaks.
  • Height: Most bund storage systems at tank storage facilities must have a height of 0.5 m to 1.5 m, which would mostly depend on their needed containment capacity. 
  • Tank Distance: As a rule of thumb, if the tank is closer to the wall, then the wall of the bund storage system must also be higher. The recommended distance between the tanks and the walls of the bund storage system must be at least 1 m.
  • Drainage: Aside from containing any liquid, a bond storage system must also remove any accumulated liquids through the help of the sump. This sump must not be connected to sewer drainage systems. The accumulated liquids, instead, may be collected and reused again. Rainwater that is collected by the bund can also be reused. However, it can also be disposed of or used as irrigation.
  • Pipes and Pumps: All pipework involved in the bund storage system must go over the system’s walls and must be installed aboveground. Valves, filters, vent pipes, sight gauges, and other related components must also be located within the bund. Fill pipes, draw-off pipes, and vent pipes must not be situated from vehicle traffic to avoid any collisions.

Facilities with Bund Storage Systems

Facilities that must store a huge volume of liquid materials and elements are advised to acquire bund storage systems for their tanks and storage units. Some of the facilities that can take advantage of the capabilities of bunds include chemical, pesticide, or petroleum plants, electrical transformers containing oil, transport facilities, drum storage areas, processing areas, wineries, breweries, and milk processing plants. Transfer points, workshops, factories, services stations, and wash bays are also required to have bund storage systems since their operations are prone to liquid spills.

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