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PROCESS DESCRIPTION
Facilities involved in the storage of petroleum range from small to large-scale distribution terminals typically
occupying between 1 and 15 ha with a storage capacity in the 10,000 to > 100,000 m3 range, as well as petrol
filling stations which typically occupy less than 0.1 ha and with a storage capacity below 200 m3.
Petroleum distribution terminals commonly receive their products from the refinery by pipeline, although in some
cases road, rail or ship delivery may occur.
Bulk storage tanks (with capacities ranging from several hundred to several thousand cubic metres) receive the
products, which can include gasoline, naphtha, middle distillates (gas oil (diesel or heating oil), kerosene, aviation
fuels lighter fuel oils), heavy fuel and lubricating oil. The various products are often divided into white oils
consisting of gasoline and lighter spirits and the black oils consisting of heavier oils such as fuel oils. The
storage tanks are generally above ground, large cylindrical vessels usually set in bunded tank farms, although
some underground, semi-buried and mounded tanks may also be present. Tetramethyl lead, marker dyes and
various additives may also be stored on-site.
The various petroleum products are then transferred by pipeline from the bulk storage tanks to loading gantries via
the additives compound, where proprietary additives may be added. The loading gantries can either be bottom
loading stands or top loading stands in the case of heavier fuel oils. Road tankers are filled at these locations and
then distribute their products regionally. More modern terminals are equipped with systems which collect the
petroleum fumes generated during the filling of the tankers and transfer these via above-ground pipes to a Vapour
Recovery Unit.
Other activities at oil terminal sites include vehicle re-fuelling facilities, vehicle maintenance workshops, tanker
washing facilities and in some cases small sewage treatment units. For some petroleum products, drumming
operations may take place on-site, where the product is dispensed into containers of various sizes, e.g. for
lubricating oil, motor engine oil etc.
When the road tanker arrives at a petrol filling station it discharges its products into a series of underground
storage tanks. Typically, there are several of these corresponding to the type of fuel, e.g. leaded, unleaded,
premium, diesel. A typical capacity of tank may be in the 5 to 50 m3 range. Suction pipes then transfer the product
to the corresponding petrol or diesel pump as required.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The following are applicable to both terminals and filling stations.
Soil and groundwater contamination relating to petroleum products is extremely costly to remediate and
could be severely disruptive to site operations.
Upgrade of storage areas may be required.
Upgrade of pollution abatement equipment or site infrastructure (sewers, drainage, interceptors) may be
required.
Major fires and spills could be financially ruinous.
Noise
It is possible that noise may reach or exceed nuisance levels, particularly on larger sites.
Odour
Odour may be a nuisance in sensitive areas and provision of odour control devices may be necessary.
Service Stations
Although the scale of operation at a petrol filling station is much less than at a petroleum storage terminal, many
of the above environmental issues are pertinent:
Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products
Storage in USTs, also some storage in ASTs.
Issues to consider:
Age, construction details and testing programme of tanks, especially USTs, pipelines and fittings.
Condition of surface of facilities (degree of impermeability, integrity (presence of cracks) especially in pump
area and area where spillages are likely.
Licensing of storage facilities.
Accident/fire precautions and emergency procedures.
Soil and Groundwater Contamination
Key hazards at service stations include:
potential for gasoline contamination (volatile paraffins and aromatics, including benzene);
potential for diesel contamination (middle distillate range hydrocarbons).
Key sources of contamination at service stations are:
leakage from USTs;
spillages around fill point of UST;
spillage from pump area (where integrity of surface compromised);
leakages from underground pipelines, drains and interceptor.
Issues to consider:
Highly mobile nature of contaminants (lighter fractions of significant solubility).
Likely presence of potentially significant migration pathways from cracks in the hardstanding and from inground USTs.
Volatile nature of contaminants (potential for migration of vapours into basements, wine cellars, etc, of
neighbouring houses).
Toxic nature of gasoline constituents, especially benzene, and MTBE (additive in unleaded fuel).
Waste Management
Waste includes petrol/diesel contaminated rags, paper, sand or other material used for clearing or containing
leaks or spills.
Issues to consider:
As for larger petroleum storage sites (see above).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
Upgrade material storage areas, especially underground storage facilities. Minimise underground storage or
underground pipelines in favour of above-ground structures. Provide secondary containment facilities for all
pipelines, tanks and drum storage areas.
Installation of loss detectors on long pipe runs.
Introduction of good environmental engineering practice.
Improvements on wastewater facilities and interceptors to achieve lower discharge.
Separation of wastewater streams where appropriate.