The Design Criteria To Meet For Your Process Tank

Process tanks are industrial containers that benefit from suiting a number of different modalities and configurations depending on the dimensions, placement, and orientation. 

If we take a look at only a sliver of the applications for process tanks, we can see these purposes include short and/or long-term storage, blending or mixing, and dispensing. 

As you might imagine, resourcefulness like this is accepted with great aplomb across a whole host of industries, some of which include power generation, chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, oil and fuel, food and beverage, paper and pulp, plastic, and many other processing industries we haven’t touched upon. 

When it comes down to it, suitability of the tank for these applications are contingent on the kind of material it is fabricated from.

Design Considerations 

When specifying process tanks, three of the most important factors to take into account are: 

• Dimensions – this includes the diameter and length of the unit, usually expressed in feet.

• Capacity – the volume of material capable of being stored internally.

• Orientation – known to be either vertical or horizontal in alignment. While access from the bottom is seen in both orientations, horizontal tanks are able to be accessed from the top and are usually mounted on stands. 

These factors can have major implications into whether or not a tank is able to be placed underground or above ground for placement.

Fabrication Material

The most common material for general storage and processing is steel, whereas stainless steel remains the ideal candidate for all things related to corrosion resistance. Another great option with excellent corrosion resistance, while also being very strong, is fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP). 

For environments where extreme temperatures and stresses are commonplace, tanks made from titanium are the best port of call but can understandably be a more expensive route to take. Last but not least, there are tanks that can be made glass lined or possess special coatings for bespoke situations.