Chemical Tank Design Considerations, plastic tanks and how they solve the problem

Chemical Storage Tanks, Polyethylene, Fiberglass, Stainless Steel Containers, Design Considerations.

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Tank Design Considerations and MSDS,

Material Safety Data Sheets, you need them, here is why.

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Chemicals are some of the most complex storage container design challenges. This is the one you want to get right the first time..

Acids, caustics and many chemical compounds are aggressive materials that will impact all tanks materials to a greater or lesser extent.

Polyethylene acid, caustic and chemical tanks are the best container solutions for these very aggressive chemicals.

We would like to assist you to find the best storage containers - tanks for your chemical products storage applications.

The beginning of this design process includes many considerations.

MSDS (material safety data sheet), this data sheet provides you with information from the chemical manufacturer. The details provide you information on the chemical and how it will impact the people, other chemicals and process elements.

The chemical manufacturer produces this MSDS document by a requirement of law, however the recommendations and information should not be the final arbiter of how you design your storage tank or interface safely with the chemical.

MSDS vagueness; when the information you need is not on the MSDS, you may require your chemical distributor to elaborate in writing to address your questions. It is due diligence on your part to obtain all the information you possible can to aid your tank design.

Information on your chemical storage tanks should be accumulated and archived in your engineering files for future reference.

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) website has an abundance of information or chemistry and application considerations, avoid rash decisions.

Many process element manufacturing companies will have chemical resistance charts. These charts are guidelines and should address both a chemical's percentage of concentration and temperature range of the materials resistance. Chemcharts typically address discrete chemical and do not address compounds. Further considerations and testing may be required to address the effects of compounds..

Pressure and vacuum and proper venting are a must to consider and integrate into your design.

Responsibility for your chemical's compatibility with your container and process elements, will always remain with you the designer. Collect all available data, consult with your chemical provider and give us a call.

Chemical Spill Response Procedure - In the event of a spill, you may wish to review FEMA procedures.. http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/csepp.shtm

Designing your process elements.

1. Chemicals and their physical characteristics.

2. Vapor pressure, inherent tendency to off gas; volatility, flammable, point of ignition temperature; Adhesive, viscosity, low solidification temperature, particle size, content particles tendency to precipitate to bottom or float to top.

3. Corrosives, acids and bases represent the two ends of the ph scale, where aggressive reaction to common materials may be expected.

4. Reactivity with other components of compound may produce dramatic and potentially explosive reactions, i.e.. x-o thermal, changes in viscosity, adhesiveness.

5. There may be thermal reactivity to even ambient temperature changes, i.e.. sodium hydroxide begins to solidify at 50 degrees F.

6. Solvents have their own special challenges as degrees of concentrations may have a variable effect on containers.

7. Dust from chemical process may absorb ambient humidity and have corrosive effects on subsequent contact materials. Dust may be combustible or explosive as seen in the following story from the AlChE, please review.

reactmat.pdf

More to follow...edit 061206

8. All materials of contact with the chemicals should be included in your system analysis of component requirements.

9. Vent-ing air - fumes from and into your tank is a Critical issue in your tank design. A rule of thumb is "your vent size should equal your largest process connection". This will insure adequate air flow as the liquid coming into the tank displaces air (escapes) and air into the tank (inflow) as liquid is pumped out of the tank. The results of not properly venting your tank can be catastrophic. Please contact us if you have any questions.

10. The air coming into your tank may impact the quality of the chemical you are storing.

11. The air leaving your tank may require treatment as it may be aggressive.

12. Chemicals with vapor pressure should be controlled, and vessels designed to handle the requisite pressures.

13. DANGER - Acid and caustic dilution presents a number of chemical characteristics to think about. a. Example of an Exothermic reaction, heat is produced when acid and water or caustic and water are combined. The water absorbs the heat relative to its comparative volume with the acid or caustic being introduced. Thus the axiom, "acid and caustic into water, never water into the acid or caustic". The exothermic reaction can be controlled and caused to work for the attentive chemist. Do Not turn your back on this process, EXOTHERMIC reactions can generate tremendous HEAT.

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