Hydrofluosilicic Acid: Chemical Storage Tips

As a colorless, fuming chemical, hydrofluosilicic acid offers its share of storage challenges. Let’s explore these challenges, and the storage solutions of hydrofluosilicic acid.

Storage Challenges of Hydrofluosilicic Acid

Hydrofluosilicic Acid is used in a variety of applications such as water fluoridation, ceramic production, electroplating, bottle sterilization, and brewing. It presents the following storage challenges:

Hydrofluosilicic acid potentially reacts violently with alkaline materials since it decomposes with heat, creating toxic fluoride compounds.
Hydrofluosilicic acid is highly corrosive to nearly all metals and will etch glass and stoneware.
Hydrofluosilicic acid has “slippery” properties, and tends to find leak points in a storage tank.
Hydrofluosilicic acid is not compatible with strong alkalis and concentrated acids. As a result, it reacts adversely with oxidizing agents, combustible solids, and organic peroxides.
Flammable hydrogen gas is produced as a reaction to the exposure of hydrofluosilicic acid with metals.

Given these properties of hydrofluosilicic acid, specialized solutions are required for safe storage of this hazardous, volatile chemical.

Safe Storage Solutions for Hydrofluosilicic Acid

Since hydrofluosilicic acid is an extremely dangerous chemical, safe storage is key to prevent injury to workers and damage to property.

High density cross-linked polyethylene is the ideal tank material. The thermosetting of XLPE polymer chains acts as a netting to prevent leaks, seepage, and escape of deadly fumes from the poly tank.

Buildup of tank sediment and reduction of accumulated lead and arsenic deposits can be reduced with the IMFO® built-in flange and full-drain design. The one-piece design also eliminates potential leak points and minimizes wetted tank sidewall fittings.

The SAFE-Tank® tank-within-a-tank offers secondary containment if other secondary containment is not available.