Chemical tank
Chemical tanks are storage containers for chemicals. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and are used for static storage, processing, mixing, and transport of both raw materials and finished chemical products.
Definition
A chemical tank-vessel is of necessity designed for a specific chemical, as all chemicals have variable corrosion potentials there are no, one size fits all. The chemical and application parameters should design tank-vessel, the following is a "tip of the iceberg" view of what goes into defining a Chemical storage tank.
Design
A. The Chemical tank represents the first line of control for aggressive chemicals. The primary control of the chemical, consists of selecting the tank materials, appropriate to the application parameters, thus preventing the negative impact of the chemical finding its way into the environment and loss of chemical value.
B. Chemical tank will of necessity be made of a material as resistant to the chemical stored as design and economics allow.
C. The design will further integrate the mechanical parameters (pressure and temperature, erosive and corrosive potentials) of the application, within the designated life of the vessel.
D. Chemical Compatibility, your Chemical provider has chemical resistance information you might need. The chemical provider will detail exactly what tank material, gasket and plumbing materials are suitable for your chemical.
E. Typically, there will be a chemical profile and information report known as a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which is provided by most chemical manufacturers or distributors and should be the starting point for chemical tank design.
F. Chemical tanks/containers will be impacted by external considerations, heat, cold, vacuum, pressure and the potential aggressive nature (acidic - caustic) These external effects may impact the tank/vessels ability to hold and maintain the viability of both the chemical and the container. (Example: liquid freezing or thickening due to ambient temperature, removes the use of the liquid and the tank.)
G. There are short-term and long-term goals associated with the engineering and specification of the correct materials for a chemical tank / container / vessel. While economic considerations are a factor, the design of chemical storage containers and how the chemistry may impact the environment is crucial.
References
- NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers
- NACD - National Association of Chemical Distributors
- AICHE - American Institute Of Chemical Engineers
- ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers