The concept of circular bolted steel tanks is not new or unique to APT, it was originally developed in the 1920’s in the USA as an inexpensive and easily transportable bulk storage system for the then growing oil exploration industry. Since then these types of tanks have spread around the world and been embraced by many different nations.

Originally introduced to Australia by the rural community in the mid 1950’s in the form of the Southern Cross “Squatters” Tank, for the same reasons it was successful in the USA, it was an inexpensive, quick way to store large quantities in remote areas.

With continuing developments in flexible membrane liners, coating systems, automated hydraulic jacking systems and roof design the capacity and diversity of storage for these types of tanks has increased substantially.

However the YT Series tank is essentially a circular tank constructed of modular steel panels bolted together with high tensile fasteners that are sealed with a flexible membrane liner or gasket jointing system.

What advantage does the YT Series Tank have over traditional concrete and welded steel tank?

Competitive initial purchase cost: Modular tanks are constructed from a series of standard component in different configurations. Bulk purchasing and production of modular sections enable APT to provide competitive prices over that of concrete or welded steel tanks.

Structural integrity not compromised by construction labour: The design integrity of concrete tank relies on the control of external factor during construction (test cylinders, slump tests, foreign material contamination, vibrating variables, honeycombs, etc), and welded steel tanks (weld x-rays, temperature and humidity control for painting, etc.). With sectional steel tank structural integrity is guaranteed in the design process. If there is a bolt in every hole, and a nut on every bolt, the structural integrity of the tank is insured.

Ongoing maintenance and ownership cost minimal: One-piece factory fabricated flexible membrane liners form an impervious barrier between the steel structure and the water environment and eliminate corrosion of internal surfaces of the tank structure. Modular construction also allows coatings to be applied in factory controlled processes and conditions, significantly increasing the life expectancy of the tank coatings. Compare these to field applied and air cured coatings on concrete and welded tanks, it is easy to observe significant maintenance savings.

Diversity of dimensional configuration, capacities and applications: Modular standard panel sizes of 2160mm x 1200mm, 2160mm x 900mm, 2160mm x 600mm & 2160mm x 300mm enable construction of tanks to suit almost any dimension restriction from 2.5m – 50m diameter from 1.2m 25m high. Community Drinking Water, Wastewater Treatment, Fire Systems, Energy Management, Power Stations, Mining and Process Water from 25m3 – 10,000m3.

Short delivery lead times and site construction times: With easily configured products and dedicated tank design staff, the sectional steel tank designs and drawings are typically completed within a matter of a few days. Because of their modular construction with bolted joints, sectional tanks can be assembled in a matter of days or weeks. The assembly processes are easily accomplished with unskilled labour supervised by a trained foreman. Standardization of components insures accurate fabrication and precise part fitting in the field.

Manufactured for containerisation for delivery anywhere in the world: Small or large structures are constructed from the same easily handled modular sections and can be packed on pallets and in crates and loaded into 20’ or 40’ GP shipping containers for dispatch to construction sites anywhere in the world.

Simple and safe construction methods: Construction of large structures can be time consuming, expensive and fraught with safety hazards. Modular sections allow the use of purpose built hydraulic lifting system in the assembly process which enables the tank to be constructed at ground level, which eliminate safety issues associated with working at height.

Can easily increase size and capacity as well as disassembled and relocated : Modular components can be disassembled and relocated or added to with relative ease allowing greater flexibility of a capital asset that a concrete or welded steel tank.

YT Series Tanks not suitable as pressure vessels or underground tanks.

Not suitable for some chemical storage applications.

In summary , aside from the 2 above listed limitations, bolted steel tanks provide the best value for the money invested. Whichever method is used to analyse value, cost, engineering, construction, maintenance, performance, bolted steel tanks lead the way in an ever-increasing range of liquid storage applications and capacities.