Proper chemical storage is an important aspect of operating a plant or facility. In order to ensure that your chemicals are stored safely in polyethylene tanks, you need to choose a tank with the correct wall thickness. A fraction of an inch can make the difference between a tank that lasts for decades and one that fails early.

Here’s what you need to know about determining the correct wall thickness for your chemical storage tank.

Polymers are used in wastewater treatment plants to flocculate or coagulate suspended solids to produce large curds of solid materials. They also aid in dewatering digester cake, in order to reduce the water content and permit easier, less expensive transporting of waste materials to the landfill.

Polymers present unique storage challenges and require customized storage solutions to keep your workers safe and your costs low. Let’s explore these challenges and solutions.

Properly storing chemicals also means completely draining your storage tanks. Your regular maintenance and cleaning routine must include fully draining your chemical tanks to prevent contaminating new batches.

But sometimes, draining the tank is easier said than done. Space constraints, incorrect fitting placements, and dealing with hazardous chemicals can all complicate routine maintenance.

For most applications, your chemical tank needs to have some kind of containment barrier. If a leak occurs, the containment will prevent the chemical from entering into groundwater or coming into contact with your employees. 

Usually, companies use a large concrete berm to contain spilled chemicals. It’s an effective solution, if your only concern is containment. But concrete berms are a poor business solution. Let's take a closer look at your options and which secondary containment systems make the most sense.

We get it. When it comes to fully draining a tank, cone-bottom tanks get the job done.

The problem is that cone-bottom tanks fall short on several fronts. People who rely on these tanks to clean and minimize residual waste in their storage solution often face unique challenges.

These tanks require additional vertical space and safety precautions -- not to mention they can cost a pretty penny.

So, how do you get all the benefits of a cone-bottom tank without the high maintenance or the hefty price tag?

 It’s common for wastewater treatment plants to rely on cross-linked polyethylene chemical tanks, but many municipal drinking water plants are using inferior linear polyethylene or fiberglass tanks. While the short-term benefits are tempting, using linear polyethylene or fiberglass tanks is like pouring money down the drain. Instead, Poly Processing’s cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) tanks give you better performance, greater cost-effectiveness and more innovative solutions.

We all know this winter has been chillier than years past. With below freezing temperatures and snowstorms affecting millions of people, the need for assistance in clearing roadways and maintaining equipment has been great. De-icing fluid is used to break down ice and frost on roadways and for air travel. It is used fairly frequently during the winters across the country, especially this winter. There are several chemicals used in the de-icing process, including brine, magnesium chloride, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol. These chemicals are popular choices, due to cost and effectiveness. Brine is the most popular of all these chemicals but can damage vehicles or rebar on roadways. The type of substance used for de-icing depends on its application, the location’s level of snowfall and winter temperatures.

High-density linear polyethylene chemical storage tanks can’t stop cracking once it begins. Eventually the tank experiences catastrophic failure, “unzipping” itself. This is called notch sensitivity. Unfortunately, notches are unavoidable in rotomolded storage tanks.

Purchasing a chemical storage tank is a significant investment for your company, and choosing the right tank for your needs isn’t always an easy decision. If you’re deciding between a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tank and polyethylene tank, be sure you understand the differences between them and know what to expect in terms of costs, maintenance, and protection.

Customers often ask us how to dispose of a chemical storage tank once it has reached the end of its useful life. Even though we do not offer disposal services, we can offer you guidance for proper chemical tank disposal. Here is the fundamental information you need to know before you haul away your polyethylene chemical storage tank.