Dear all, i'm having a question with regards to API 2000 6th edition section 4.3.2.3.2 calculations for thermal outbreathing.
I have a sour water tank which is idle most of the time, and the vent gas flow rate due to thermal outbreathing effects was calculated using formula 5, whereby
V (in Nm3/h) = (latitude factor)*(volume of vapour in tank^0.9)*(insulation factor)
This tank does not have a PVV but it does have a pressure control valve. Now the actual thermal outbreathing flow rate determined from the valve operating curve is only about 20% of the calculated thermal outbreathing flow rate using the equation above, and i've got 2 years of operating experience for this tank.
Could somebody please share or explain to me the vast difference in values between calculated and actual? This tank is blanketed using N2 and i've converted the calculated V (in Nm3/h) from air to N2 for comparison with the PCV operating curve.