Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a common inorganic compound that is typically used as a strong chemical base.

In liquid form, caustic soda becomes “slippery” and tends to find weak points in storage containers, and fittings, and eventually create drips and leaks.

When it comes to fully draining a tank, cone-bottom tanks get the job done—except when they don’t. The fact is, cone-bottom tanks fall short on several fronts. Cleaning cone-bottom tanks creates unique challenges, they require additional vertical space and safety precautions, and 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?

Secondary containment is an important safeguard that helps plant operators mitigate the costly risks of chemical spills. Many companies are realizing the business advantages of switching from open-top tanks and concrete basins to a double-wall containment system.

When our customers are weighing their options, they usually have several questions about double-wall containment. Here are some of the most common questions and answers about double-wall containment systems.

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.

 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.

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.