Tank & Fluid Parameters

Enter tank dimensions and fluid properties

Tank Type

Diameter / Width (ft)

Height / Length (ft)

Fill Level (%)

Insulation Thickness (in)

0 = uninsulated

Fluid Type

Specific Gravity

Specific Heat (BTU/lb-F)

Initial Temperature (F)

Target Temperature (F)

Ambient Temperature (F)

Heat-up Time (hours)

Wind Speed (mph)

Affects external heat transfer coefficient

Heating Results

Required Heater Capacity

Heat Load Breakdown

Heat-up Load -

Heat Loss (Shell) -

Heat Loss (Roof) -

Heat Loss (Bottom) -

Total Steady-State Loss -

Tank Data

Fluid Volume -

Fluid Mass -

Shell Surface Area -

Overall U-value -

Operating Costs

Energy (heat-up) -

Natural Gas (heat-up) -

Daily Maintenance Heat -

Enter parameters and click Calculate

Heating Considerations

Heavy crudes: typically heated to 120-160F for pumping
Bitumen/asphalt: may require 250-350F
Add 10-20% safety factor to heater sizing
Consider steam coils, electric heaters, or hot oil systems

Formula Reference

Heat-up Energy Requirement

Q_heatup = m * Cp * (T_target - T_initial) Where: Q = Heat energy required (BTU) m = Mass of fluid (lb) Cp = Specific heat capacity (BTU/lb-F) T = Temperature (F)

Heat Loss Through Walls

Q_loss = U * A * (T_fluid - T_ambient) Where: Q_loss = Heat loss rate (BTU/hr) U = Overall heat transfer coefficient (BTU/hr-ft2-F) A = Surface area (ft2) T = Temperature (F) Overall U-value (insulated): 1/U = 1/h_i + x/k + 1/h_o Where: h_i = Internal film coefficient (~50 BTU/hr-ft2-F for oil) x = Insulation thickness (ft) k = Insulation conductivity (~0.025 BTU/hr-ft-F) h_o = External coefficient (wind dependent)

Typical U-values

Configuration	U-value (BTU/hr-ft2-F)
Bare steel tank (still air)	1.0 - 1.5
Bare steel tank (15 mph wind)	2.0 - 3.0
2" insulation	0.10 - 0.15
3" insulation	0.07 - 0.10
4" insulation	0.05 - 0.08
Tank bottom (on grade)	0.5 - 1.0

Tank Heating Calculator