How Chemical Storage Tanks Improve Workplace Safety in Industries?
Chemical storage tanks are a critical component of industrial operations across many sectors. They provide a safe and organized way to store bulk quantities of liquids or gases for use in manufacturing, processing, or other applications. Having the right chemical storage tanks in place delivers numerous advantages of chemical storage tanks that directly improve productivity, efficiency, and safety.
Chemical storage tanks come in a variety of types, sizes, and materials to accommodate different contents and environments. Key types include fixed roof tanks, floating roof tanks, underground tanks, portable tanks, process tanks, and pressure tanks. Having appropriate chemical storage is a necessity for any company that handles hazardous substances. The advantages go well beyond basic storage, making tanks a strategic investment that pays dividends across operations.
Key Benefits of Using Chemical Storage Tanks
Cost Savings
One of the big benefits of using industrial chemical storage tanks is the potential cost savings compared to other storage options. By using large, shared tanks rather than individual containers, companies can realize significantly lower capital costs. Storing chemicals in bulk tanks also leads to reduced operating costs over time. There are fewer storage vessels to inspect, fewer locations needing spill containment, and less complicated inventory management.
Personnel can check and maintain a small number of storage tanks much more efficiently than a vast field of drums spread throughout a facility. With lower investment requirements and streamlined operations, industrial chemical storage tanks offer excellent economies of scale for companies that use large volumes of chemicals or hazardous materials. Their potential to reduce both capital and operating expenditures makes onsite storage tanks a cost-effective solution.
Space Savings
Consolidating chemicals into standardized, prefabricated storage tanks allows facilities to streamline storage needs into a smaller footprint. Rather than storing chemicals in various containers scattered throughout a facility, purpose-built storage tanks neatly consolidate inventory. Chemical storage tanks for industries can hold the volume of numerous drums, totes or cylinders. This avoids the need to dedicate separate spaces for scattered storage vessels. Facilities can reclaim this precious storage space for more productive manufacturing uses.
With space at a premium in manufacturing plants, optimized storage density is essential. Storage tanks with mix-proof manifolds enable storage of incompatible chemicals in a common area, without risk of cross-contamination. Proper chemical storage even allows certain operations to be moved indoors into smaller spaces. This prevents chemicals from being exposed to external conditions that could degrade quality or create hazards.
Overall, advanced modern tank systems allow operators to store more chemicals in less space, while maintaining safety. The recovered space can then be repurposed to expand production capacity or improve plant layout and workflow.
Safety
➤ Using chemical storage tanks provides several important safety benefits compared to storing chemicals in smaller containers.
➤ Proper construction materials like stainless steel prevent corrosion or degradation of the tanks over time. This reduces the risk of leaks and spills.
➤ Storing chemicals in larger tanks reduces handling compared to transferring chemicals between many smaller containers. Fewer chemical transfers mean less risk of accidental spills or exposure. Bulk storage in large tanks minimizes this handling risk.
➤ Chemical storage tanks can often be equipped with level indicators or sensors. This allows easy monitoring of tank levels to prevent overfills. Safety interlocks can also automatically shut off flows when a tank nears capacity.
➤ Using the proper storage tanks engineered for specific chemicals reduces safety hazards. Tanks can be designed to meet required standards and regulations for the type of chemical being stored.
Overall, the main advantages of chemical storage tanks improve safety through proper construction, containment features, reduced handling, and monitoring capabilities tailored to the particular chemical. Proper chemical storage is a key safety measure for industrial facilities.
Regulatory Compliance
Using chemical storage tanks that meet environmental and safety regulations is a major benefit for industries. Tanks can be designed and constructed to comply with hazardous chemical storage regulations like those from OSHA, EPA, and local fire codes.
Choosing the right chemical storage tank buying guide material such as polyethylene and coatings like Teflon can ensure regulatory compliance for storing hazardous liquids.
Regulatory-compliant tanks give industries peace of mind that they are safely and legally storing chemicals. It also indicates social responsibility and a commitment to environmentally sound storage methods.
Some industries even require independent third-party inspections and certifications before chemical storage tanks can be used. Having tanks designed for regulatory compliance from the start prevents potentially costly retrofits later on. Investing in compliant chemical storage delivers long-term benefits.
Flexibility
Chemical storage tanks come in a variety of sizes, materials, and configurations to meet the needs of different industries and applications.
Types of chemical storage tanks materials used for chemical tanks include:
➤ Stainless steel tanks – ideal for corrosive chemicals and high purity requirements. Stainless steel offers high structural integrity.
➤ Polyethylene tanks – lightweight and corrosion-resistant for less aggressive chemicals. Poly tanks are lower cost.
➤ Fiberglass tanks – corrosion resistant like polyethylene but stronger and more rigid. Useful for a wide range of chemicals.
➤ Carbon steel tanks – an economical option with special linings or coatings for corrosion resistance for some chemicals.
Chemical storage tanks also come in different shapes and sizes:
➤ Vertical storage tanks – the most common design that maximizes storage capacity. Available in larger volumes.
➤ Horizontal storage tanks – lower profile, good for space-constrained areas. Limitations on maximum volume.
➤ Portable tanks – movable and relocatable for flexible storage needs. Available in smaller volumes.
➤ Custom tanks – tailored sizes and configurations for specialized chemical storage needs.
With many options to choose from, facilities can find the ideal chemical storage tanks to safely and efficiently meet their specific storage needs. The flexibility of chemical tank offerings enables customized solutions for any operation.
Easy Installation
One of the major pros of chemical storage tanks of using prefabricated is how quick and easy they are to install. Since the tanks are manufactured offsite under controlled factory conditions, they can be rapidly set up once delivered to your facility. Prefabricated chemical tanks are designed for efficient installation. The components are pre-assembled and many feature modular designs that allow the tanks to be connected or stacked together like building blocks. This eliminates the need for complex onsite construction and fabrication.
Relocating tanks is also simplified with prefabricated models. The tanks are engineered to be portable so they can be moved between locations or sites with relative ease. Forklifts allow the tanks to be quickly detached, lifted and transported to a new foundation or facility. Compared to permanent field-constructed tanks, prefabricated models offer far greater mobility and versatility. Installing traditional tank infrastructure can be an expensive, labor-intensive process. Prefabricated chemical tanks deliver major time and cost savings by arriving at your facility pre-built and ready for use. Their turnkey designs allow your operations to be up and running in no time.
Reduced Corrosion
Proper tank linings help protect against corrosion. Steel tanks are prone to corrosion over time when exposed to certain chemicals. However, modern storage tanks utilize specialized linings and coatings to prevent corrosion. The proper tank lining is selected based on the stored chemical to provide maximum protection. With the right lining, a steel storage tank can safely store corrosive chemicals for decades without corrosion damage. This prevents leaks, failures, and contamination while maximizing the lifetime of the tank. In comparison, storing chemicals in makeshift containers leads to spills, leaks, and corrosion damage. Utilizing proper chemical storage tanks with anti-corrosion linings is essential for safely handling corrosive chemicals long-term.
Inventory Management
One of the main benefits of chemical storage tanks for industries is the ability to easily monitor and manage inventory levels. With the right tank instrumentation, you can track chemical usage in real time. Once equipped with this data, you can set optimal reorder points and establish efficient ordering cycles.
Chemical storage tanks with automated level sensors allow you to:
➤ Monitor current tank volumes and calculate the rate of chemical consumption. This helps you anticipate when reorders will be necessary.
➤ Set notifications to alert when tank levels reach predetermined low points. For example, send an email to the purchasing manager when the tank hits 30% capacity.
➤ Eliminate reliance on inaccurate manual inspections and “guesstimates” for reorder timing. With sensors, you know precisely how much chemical remains.
➤ Optimize reorder quantities now that usage rates are visible. Order just enough to reach the target fill level – no more, no less.
➤ Improve purchasing efficiency. Eliminate both shortages and overstocking. Place orders at optimal intervals to minimize rush orders.
➤ Reduce the risk of production stoppages due to chemical stockouts. The accurate data provided by tank sensors gives higher confidence in inventory levels.
The bottom line is that automatic tank gauging enables better inventory control. You can establish reorder points tailored to actual consumption rates. This results in leaner on-hand inventory levels and more cost-effective purchasing cycles.
In summarizing the key benefits of using chemical storage tanks, it’s clear there are significant advantages for industrial operations. By using the chemical storage tank buying guide, you can realize cost savings through bulk purchasing and storage of chemicals.
Storage tanks also provide space savings by allowing bulk storage instead of many small containers.