Gasoline · diesel · filling stations

Design and fabrication of
underground tanks for gasoline and diesel!

Safe underground storage of gasoline and diesel

An underground storage tank (UST) is usually horizontal and installed below ground. It is used to store gasoline and diesel at filling stations, urban depots and sites with limited space above ground. Burying the tank reduces the footprint at surface level and is required or preferred under many urban safety regulations.

Underground fuel tank built by Behineh Ab
Service
Gasoline and diesel tanks
Installation
Buried / horizontal underground
Shell material
Steel with anti-corrosion coating
Wall
Single or double wall
Suited to gasoline and diesel storage at filling stations
Underground installation for limited urban space
Anti-corrosion coating for soil contact
Single-wall or double-wall design
Nozzles and manholes accessible for inspection
Coordinated with leak-safety and fire-department requirements

What is an underground tank?

An underground storage tank (UST) is usually horizontal and installed below ground. It is used to store gasoline and diesel at filling stations, urban depots and sites with limited space above ground. Burying the tank reduces the footprint at surface level and is required or preferred under many urban safety regulations.

An underground tank must be designed for soil load, traffic load at the surface, external corrosion and the risk of leaks reaching groundwater. That is why it is usually made of steel plate with a strong anti-corrosion coating, or where needed with a double wall and a leak-monitoring system.

Design principles of underground tanks

The four main factors that set an underground tank's capacity, safety and service life:

Installation
Buried / horizontal underground
Shell material
Steel + anti-corrosion coating
Wall
Single or double wall
Service
Gasoline and diesel tanks
Shop note

A double-wall tank with monitoring of the space between the walls allows early leak detection and is usually recommended or required on projects near groundwater. An external coating, and cathodic protection where needed, extend service life in constant contact with soil.

Technical specifications

Service
Gasoline and diesel tanks
Installation
Buried / horizontal underground
Shell material
Steel with anti-corrosion coating
Wall
Single or double wall
Capacity
To suit the station or fuel depot

Why an underground tank for gasoline and diesel?

At filling stations, surface space is limited and urban safety rules often prefer fuel to be stored underground. By reducing surface evaporation and keeping the fuel away from ignition sources above ground, the underground tank is the usual choice for gasoline and diesel.

Single or double wall?

A double-wall tank with monitoring of the space between the walls allows early leak detection and is recommended or required on many projects near groundwater. The final choice depends on local regulations and how sensitive the environment is.

Coating and cathodic protection

An underground tank is in constant contact with soil; a suitable epoxy or bitumen coating, and cathodic protection where needed, noticeably extend its service life and reduce the risk of perforation.

Applications and industries

Gasoline and diesel filling stations
Gasoline and diesel filling stations
Urban and industrial fuel depots
Urban and industrial fuel depots
Small and medium fuel terminals
Small and medium fuel terminals
Sites with limited surface space
Sites with limited surface space
Filling-station refurbishment projects
Filling-station refurbishment projects
Emergency fuel storage for facilities
Emergency fuel storage for facilities

Frequently asked questions

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Underground tank

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