Research on the Deformation Behavior and Critical Liquid Level Prediction of Large Vertical Tank During Oil Inlet Settlement Process

Abstract In practical engineering applications, storage tanks in long-term service are prone to severe settlement, causing significant deformation of the tank walls. This can lead to floating roof jamming or seal failure, potentially resulting in oil and gas leakage. For such scenarios, enterprises often struggle to accurately assess the maximum liquid level that a tank can safely withstand. This paper proposes an effective analytical method for predicting critical liquid levels in storage tanks: Real-time settlement data during oil filling is monitored using hydrostatic level sensors, and settlement at higher liquid levels is estimated using a discrete gray prediction model. Combined with numerical simulation to analyze tank wall deformation behavior, this approach ultimately predicts the maximum allowable liquid level for the tank. The research results indicate that the maximum deformation area of the storage tank under the effect of settlement is located at the top of the tank wall; as the liquid level rises, the settlement amount continues to increase, and the radial displacement at the top of the tank wall increases linearly; the liquid inside the tank helps to enhance the storage tank's resistance to settlement deformation; The current maximum critical liquid level for the storage tank has been definitively determined to be between 15.4 and 15.7 m.