There are different types of storage tanks available in the market depending upon the usages and matter. There are even different rules for different tanks. The industrial tank manufacturers and users should follow safety regulations in order to maintain a safe and secure environment. The storage tanks are built keeping in mind the needs and specifications.
Storage tanks are containers that are made to hold liquids as well as matter in gaseous form. These tanks are used as a reservoir to store materials. The storage tanks provide two usages: one is to provide volume for storage and another one is to help the industries in the distribution process.
These chemical storage tanks are available in cylindrical shape with floating roof. Some storage tanks are perpendicular and some tanks are parallel to the ground. There are many environmental rules and regulation that needs to be followed before designing these storage tanks. Rules are different for different fluid depending on the nature and the effects of using the fluid. There are even different rules for the tanks placed above the ground and the tanks below the ground. The tanks are installed and functioned strictly keeping in mind the industry standards and rules. The above ground tanks usually store petroleum, chemicals, water and various other hazardous materials.
The manufacturers should also understand the responsibility towards the environment and should put maximum efforts keeping in mind the safety measures. The people should follow a stringent check on the emission level as well so that putting up the tanks shouldn’t cause any negative impact on the environment. Strict measures should be followed in order to avoid accidents and dangerous situations for the people in and around the industries that has build chemical storage tanks.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE TANKS:
- As most liquids have chances to get spilled, evaporate or seep even through the smallest opening. The industries should take special consideration for safe and secure handling. So, a bunding or a containment dike is built around the tank in order to prevent leakage.
- Some storage tanks include a floating roof in addition of the fixed roof. With the fluctuation of the liquid level inside the tank, the level of floating roof also changes which makes the vapor space above the liquid level decrease. The floating roofs are considered to be a safety requirement and also helpful in preventing pollution by many industries including the petroleum refining.
- Also, the metal tanks that contains petroleum products and are in contact with soil should be protected from corrosion to prevent the product to get in contact with the environment. The elevated tank support foundations are mixed with sand bitumen to keep the bottom free from water, hence preventing corrosion.
- There are special pickling tanks that are used to remove the oxidized surface that might occur due the hot steel strip. Pickling is the process done to increase the shelf life of food either using anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar.
- The material on the galvanized tanks from the storage tanks from corrosion. The galvanized exterior will provide a superior atmospheric corrosion protection.
Materials used in constructing the storage tanks:
The most widely used materials for constructing the tanks are steel and concrete. With the increase in demand, there is also increase in the popularity of materials like glass reinforced plastic, thermoplastic and polyethylene. These materials provide lower build costs and high chemical resistance, especially for storing special chemicals.
Author’s Bio: The article highlights the special features of the chemical storage tanks. Also includes the benefits of pickling tanks and galvanized tanks.