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?

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.

Purchasing and maintaining a chemical storage solution isn’t as simple as making a trip to the hardware store and picking out a tank that’ll do the trick. Unfortunately, many facilities make chemical tank purchases without the proper planning and execution, and the results are always costly.

Selecting the proper tank fitting—and location for the fitting—is an important matter. You need the right fitting for your application, and it’s not always easy to understand which one is the best choice for your needs.

Poly Processing works diligently to produce each and every chemical storage tank built to spec, but if a tank is not installed correctly it could lead to damage, leaks, safety issues for personnel, and ultimately a shorter tank life. That’s why everyone should take chemical tank installation seriously.

Note: Poly Processing's seismic clip names have changed from L designation to A designation. The clip thicknesses have changed as well. Please feel free to contact customer support for any clarification you might need. 

One natural event that could potentially lead to catastrophic risk, resulting in a complete failure of a chemical storage tank system, is an earthquake. Earthquakes can happen in areas not considered earthquake zones, such as the August, 2011 5.8 magnitude tremor that rocked Virginia. 

Poly Processing Company manufactures high-density crosslinked polyethylene storage tanks for a wide variety of applications; but manufacturing is just one step in the overall process. A chemical storage tank is an investment, and it’s important to protect any investment. That’s why we take special care and precaution with your chemical storage tank, especially after it is rotationally molded and is ready to be shipped to your plant. Here’s a closer look at our process.

Safe chemical containment is not only the tank, its material, fittings, and accessories. Over time, chemical storage tanks become susceptible to cracks and leaks, and it is of the utmost importance to find any potential problems before they cause costly mishaps. This is why Poly Processing recommends an annual tank system inspection.

When assembling and installing your chemical storage tank system, there are several steps to the process. To help extend the longevity of the tank, Poly Processing put together a checklist for your startup.