When storing sulfuric acid, it is always of utmost importance to take safety into account. This is because sulfuric acid is one of the most aggressive chemicals out there, which can make it tricky to store. Sulfuric acid is very corrosive, meaning that it can degrade the material of improper storage systems. Sulfuric acid is also highly reactive to water, if it comes into contact with water contamination, it can actually explode. Because of its aggressive nature, it can also pose a real risk to human health and the environment around it. Thus, sulfuric acid needs to be kept very securely, with leaking and contamination risks minimized as much as possible. One facet of sulfuric acid safety is choosing a good quality sulfuric acid tank.
Sulfuric acid cannot be stored in just any tank. Due to its corrosive and oxidative nature, it needs a tank that can stand up to an aggressive chemical makeup. A good sulfuric acid storage tank will have mechanisms to prevent being compromised by the corrosive nature of the acid. Tanks meant to store sulfuric acid will generally come equipped with an internal coating to protect against corrosion. Fiberglass sulfuric acid tanks will generally be constructed with multiple coatings as well as a resin layer to protect against the damaging effects of corrosion. When buying sulfuric acid tank, always keep an eye out for mechanisms to help prevent corrosion.
Something else to look out for to help with the storage of sulfuric acid, are tanks with “secondary containment”. Tanks with secondary containment will come with a mechanism, like extra exterior walls, that can create additional insurance against dangerous sulfuric acid leaks. It is also helpful to use multiple, smaller tanks rather than one large tank to store sulfuric acid. Though this is optional, it is a helpful thing to keep in mind, because larger sulfuric acid tanks may be more cumbersome to handle. Lastly, keep an eye out for storage tanks that offer sturdy, thicker, walls as well as proper molecular bonding. Tanks that will be used for storing sulfuric acid need to be incredibly sturdy and solid, in order to maximize security and safety.
Once you have procured your sulfuric acid tank, make sure to have it inspected at least annually, and always take all proper precautions when handling it. If you have not yet found your perfect storage tank, and aren’t sure what material is best for you yet, Belding Tank is here to help. We offer special features like gel coatings and U.V. inhibitors so that you can customize your tank to suit your needs. We manufacture fiberglass tanks, which could potentially be a good fit for those looking to store sulfuric acid at concentrations lower than 80%.
