If you keep your polyethylene storage tank outdoors, it may be completely exposed to the elements. You can build a shelter to guard against UV attack, but you can’t protect a chemical tank from extreme heat or cold.

In fact, one of our customers recently asked about keeping a polyethylene tank outdoors in extreme temperatures.

It’s easy to get confused between NSF certification, FDA approval, and FDA requirements. Which terms do you need to be familiar with, and what should you expect from your chemical storage tank? These are good questions, and it’s important to understand the differences between NSF and FDA as you prepare to purchase a storage system.

Some companies need to place their chemical storage tanks underground because of space limitations, or for aesthetic reasons. Steel tanks and reinforced tanks are built to withstand the external pressure that is applied underground, but what about lightweight plastic tanks?

While plastic storage tanks have many advantages over other tank materials, polyethylene is not the solution for underground storage. Here’s why.

You’ve done the hard part already. You’ve talked to a chemical tank expert at Poly Processing, designed your chemical tank system, double-checked that all the fittings you’ve ordered are compatible with your chemical, and you’re ready for your new storage tank system to be delivered.

Now that your order is placed and you’re preparing to receive your polyethylene chemical storage tank, there are some steps you need to have in place before your tank arrives. But what should you expect when your polyethylene tank arrives?

Various types of chemical storage systems have handrails along the top of the tank, but Poly Processing tanks don’t. Polyethylene tanks can’t support handrails, and the tanks shouldn’t be walked on. The domed surface can be very slippery, and the plastic can become brittle over time and possibly crack under a person’s weight. So how do you safely inspect manways, check gauges, and service level sensors or mixers?

Winter is approaching fast. With below freezing temperatures and snowstorms affecting millions of people each year, municipalities need to be ready to clear roadways and maintain equipment. De-icing fluid is used to break down ice and frost on roadways and aircrafts.

The type of substance used for de-icing depends on its application, the amount of snowfall and winter temperatures. There are several chemicals used in the de-icing process, including brine, magnesium chloride, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol. Brine is the most popular of these chemicals, but it can damage vehicles or rebar on roadways.

When storing any type of chemical, it’s important to conduct routine annual tank inspections to make sure the tanks, fittings, venting, and accessories are in good working condition. You can perform a basic tank inspection on your own by following our installation manual, or the system can be inspected by a Poly Processing field service technician. We recommend having a professional perform an in-depth inspection with testing every 3-5 years.

What’s the difference between an inspection you can do and a professional inspection? Here’s an overview of the inspection and testing our field service technicians perform on your chemical storage tanks.

When building your storage tank system, it’s important to not only carefully consider the tank itself, but also the fittings and accessories. An important part of your tank is your manway cover. Failing to understand the purpose and function of the manway can threaten the safety of your employees and result in leaks, tank damage, and environmental hazards.

Let’s look at three things you should consider when choosing a manway cover. We’ll also introduce the best options for each consideration.

There are several types of chlorine sources that water treatment plants can use: chlorine gas, liquid sodium hypochlorite, or onsite production. Chlorine gas can be more cost effective, but a growing number of states are converting to bulk sodium hypochlorite or bleach. If chlorine gas is more economical, why would water treatment plants convert to sodium hypochlorite?

A leaky fitting is a serious issue that could put your employees in danger and cause damage to surrounding equipment. Leaked chemicals are a financial loss, and they can create serious environmental issues that plague your company for decades. 

Our field service team will occasionally receive calls from concerned customers who need help fixing a leaking fitting on their chemical storage tank. It's not an issue that comes up often so many people are not sure what caused the issue or what to do next.