Storage tanks are used extensively across commercial & industrial applications to store oil, gas, fuel, chemical products, and other materials.
These structures look simple on the outside. However, consideration of extremely high safety & environmental standards is a must while designing them. In other words, storage tanks are impressive feats of engineering.
Many people make the mistake of thinking every liquid storage tank is the same. However, whether you plan to store potable water, chemical, or other liquids, the most important thing to remember is that each material is unique and has its requirements. So before you settle for a storage tank, there are certain things you need to consider to get the best result and best value for your storage.
- The type of products to be stored; is the first thing you need to think about. The product you want to store will significantly impact the tank’s size, shape, and material.
- Materials of construction; As mentioned previously, materials are an essential factor. For example, if you would be storing oil, consider that oil expands in hot weather. Likewise, rusty materials may become an issue for water storage, so you should avoid such. The volume of the liquid being stored will also be an essential factor. Huge volumes may require field welded steel and concrete tanks. You can do extensive research to be informed about this subject’s correct information. You could learn about the different types of storage tanks, such as fuel storage tanks, liquid storage tanks, and chemical storage tanks.
- Tanks size and placement; will there be a restriction on space for erecting the tank? Consider a tank with a smaller diameter and a taller height for smaller areas. Unlimited space will allow for a tank of wider diameter and shorter height. Both designs may accommodate a variety of materials and volumes.
- Consider the surrounding environment of the site; anything that affects your immediate environment may also affect your tank. Things like wind loads, seismic conditions, and roof loads (such as snow loads) are important criteria for tank design.
- The design; every tank is designed with unique features according to specifications and the characteristics of the materials to be stored. It would be best if you considered flow testing before buying a tank. With flow testing, the tank is tested to ensure maximum flow and troubleshoot flow problems.
- Longevity or life span of the tank; anyone who buys a tank hopes that it can serve a very long time. It won’t be very reassuring to buy a tank that would need replacement earlier than planned. So it is advisable to factor in the cost of maintenance because, without proper care, the tank may not serve as long as it ought to.
- Soil conditions of the proposed site; many people often forget this factor. Considering this factor will help determine the kind of tank foundation to be used.
- Corrosion-resistant coating; one major issue many people face with their storage tank is corrosion. The only way to minimize this effect is by coating. But the question is, what is the best type of coating? Sometimes, the procedure by which the coating is applied may indicate the quality of the coating. Therefore it is often advised to apply a technologically advanced coating that has been applied at the factory under environmentally controlled circumstances to ensure excellent care. Field coating can also be done; however, field-applied coatings are sometimes subject to environmental conditions during application.
- The safety factor; be sure whatever material your tank is made of and the coating used is safe, especially if you would be using your tank to store drinking water.
- Choose an experienced and credible vendor; after checking all the factors above, choosing the right vendors makes all the effort worthwhile. Ensure to ask questions about the manufacturer. Also, look out for reviews and how long the company has been manufacturing tanks. Some questions to ask would be, “Are their coatings applied at the factory? “Do they sell in your market and in my country?” It is in your best interest to consider vendors with the ISO 9001 Quality Certification, but beware of those that offer to manufacture “to those standards” without the actual certification.
Storage tanks have a wide range of applications; it is imperative to understand what you are supposed to get to serve the original purpose. The next time you are planning to get a storage tank, make sure to use these factors as a checklist.
