Safe storage of petroleum products Tanks used to store inflammable petroleum products should be painted with which color to minimize heat absorption and reduce vapor losses?

Introduction / Context:
Aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) for volatile petroleum products are exposed to sunlight. Surface color affects solar heat gain, which in turn impacts internal temperature, vapor pressure, breathing losses, and safety margins against overpressure.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Products are inflammable (e.g., gasoline, naphtha, kerosene).
• Ambient outdoor installation with solar exposure.
• Color choice influences thermal loading.

Concept / Approach:
Lighter colors reflect solar radiation more effectively, lowering tank skin temperature. White has the highest reflectance among common paints. This reduces product heating, vapor generation, and emissions, and helps keep internal pressure and breathing losses lower.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Industry practices and many codes recommend light/white paints for gasoline tanks. Emissions studies confirm lower vapor losses with white coatings versus darker ones.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Black: Maximizes solar absorption; increases temperature and vapor pressure.
• Red/Yellow: Often used for identification or safety markings, not for minimizing heat absorption on large tank surfaces.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing color-coding for pipelines/labels with thermal management of large tank shells; for heat control, reflectance dominates.

Final Answer:
white