Bulk stored chemicals can become contaminated from two major sources: debris and moisture. As the product is emptied from the chemical storage tank, dirty air and moisture can be drawn into the tank. Temperature fluctuations can also cause the tank to expand and contract, so that it “breathes” contaminants in and out.
Maintaining chemical purity is essential in many industrial chemical applications, such as computer chip manufacturing, food processing, clean in place, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Contaminated chemicals can become less effective, and more hazardous to your storage equipment.
To prevent contamination, Poly Processing often recommends installing special accessories. Tank vent dryers and desiccant filters may be your best choice for keeping moisture out of the chemical storage tank.
Tank vent dryers can be especially valuable if you’re storing sulfuric acid. Because concentrated sulfuric acid is hygroscopic, any moisture entering the tank will be quickly absorbed into the chemical. If your supply of sulfuric acid isn’t frequently replenished, the top layer of acid will become more diluted, and more corrosive. As the contents continue to sit in the tank, the top layer of weak acid will corrode a ring around the inner tank wall.