Outokumpu delivered 245 tons of duplex stainless for oil storage tanks build to last over 50 years
OUTOKUMPU OYJ
PRESS RELEASE
September 21, 2015 at 10.00 am EET
Outokumpu delivered to date one of the largest orders for tank building, 245 tons of Forta LDX 2101 lean duplex stainless steel for the construction of three big oil storage tanks at the Antwerp harbor in Belgium. Each storage tank has a capacity of 4,200 m3 which equals for a total of 12,600,000 liters of oil transported to the oil terminal by tanker ships.
The tanks are in service from September 2015. Their expected service life is 50 to 60 years which is up to 20 years longer compared to 30 to 40 years in the past. The use of Forta LDX 2101, with inherent qualities of stainless steel, makes the tanks virtually maintenance free and the strength of duplex stainless steel allows for material and fabrication cost savings and offers good corrosion resistance. The construction of the tanks is run by company Ivens, which specializes in building and renovation of tanks for the storage of chemicals and fuels with 85 years of experience in construction with different types of materials.
“More and more duplex stainless steels are chosen because of the very good price-performance ratio. Duplexes have a similar corrosion resistance as the austenitic stainless steels which are normally used, but offer an advantage to optimize plate thickness due to higher strengths without diminishing the total tank integrity”, says Chief Technical Officer Jan Jochems from Ivens.
Material weldability and the quality of welding play a crucial role in tank construction. Jochems underlines that welding duplex is not more difficult but requires its own set of parameters as well as qualified and experienced welders.
Forta LDX 2101 lean duplex grade is developed and patented by Outokumpu and it has a low nickel content of only 1.5%. It can well compete in price with carbon steel tanks when the life cycle cost is taken into account. Forta LDX 2101 is increasingly becoming the material of choice also in the construction of storage tanks for pulp, chemicals, biofuels, beverages, grains, and ore slurry.
For more information:
Saara Tahvanainen, tel. +358 40 589 0223
Outokumpu Group
Outokumpu is a global leader in stainless steel. We create advanced materials that are efficient, long lasting and recyclable – thus building a world that lasts forever. Stainless steel, invented a century ago, is an ideal material to create lasting solutions in demanding applications from cutlery to bridges, energy and medical equipment: it is 100% recyclable, corrosion-resistant, maintenance-free, durable and hygienic. Outokumpu employs more than 12 000 professionals in more than 30 countries, with headquarters in Espoo, Finland and shares listed in Nasdaq Helsinki. www.outokumpu.com
