There are a multitude of different types of storage tanks, each developed to contain different things from liquids through to compressed gases. They can range in size from being something that you can store inside your attic at home or back garden, through to industrial ones which can be larger than a small building.
Some storage tanks are kept underground, while others are stationary above the surface. Sometimes they are actually mounted onto the back of a truck or lorry trailer, and are referred to as tankers. They come in a wide range of shapes and structures, from cylindrical shapes, to spherical. In this article we will take a look at some of the different types of storage tanks and their usages.
Fuel storage tanks
Also known as petroleum tanks, industrial fuel storage tanks are used to hold different types of fluid, either organic or non-organic liquids. They can also be used to house various types of flammable fluids, as well as vapor. There are two main types of tank that are used for fuel storage.
Underground Storage Tanks
For the storing of fuels of hazardous materials, underground storage tanks (UTS) are used, with at least 10% of the stored volume of the tank being buried underground. These types of tanks are better for people who may have only a limited amount of space on their property, and need to maximize the area they have available.
For use in homes, these tanks can be installed underneath driveways and even lawns, where they will be virtually invisible. Though they are safer in terms of there being a less chance of an explosion, one thing that can potentially occur is leakage, due to the fact that the tanks, once installed underground, cannot be regularly checked and inspected.
You’ll find that there is a high demand for these types of tanks all over the world. In Brazil for example, a popular search on Google will be for tanque polipropileno, which will throw up a wide range of results.
Aboveground Storage Tanks
One of the main advantages that aboveground storage tanks (AST) have over their underground counterparts is that they are much cheaper to install. You won’t need to worry about the costs of digging, installation and then covering them up.
They are also much easier to inspect and maintain, and any damage or leaks can be spotted right away. Due to this, they are the preferred storage option when it comes to housing chemicals or fuels.
Benefits of using fuel storage tanks
If you need to safely store flammable liquids or fuel, either for your business, or home, then it’s very important that you use the necessary type of storage tank. These tanks are designed and manufactured to meet the necessary industry standards and can safely store things such as oil, diesel, solvents or other types of flammable liquids.
They are very cost efficient for businesses, as it means that equipment or vehicles can be refueled on site, saving time on travel and other expenses. With most industrial storage tanks having a capacity of up to 100,000 liters, there is more than enough storage space to handle even the busiest of sites.
The tanks are also versatile, in that if any specific types of liquid or fluid needs to be stored, and the current tanks are not able to do so safely, then they can easily be relocated and installed again in a different location either onsite or somewhere else. With the different variety of storage tanks available, there will always be a solution to any storage problems that your business may be dealing with.
Industrial chemical storage tanks
For the storage of things such as natural gas, propane or various fertilizers, then an industrial chemical storage tank is going to be required. These are very strong and safe tanks, which can also be used for processing or mixing of liquids and fluids. These usually come in three main types.
Polyethylene storage tanks
These are the most versatile types of industrial storage tanks available on the market, and their capacity can range from 1 to 20,000 gallons. They are available in a variety of sizes and dimensions and are molded from HDPE (high density linear polyethylene) or XLPE (high density cross linked polyethylene), making them much more durable and with a great structural integrity.
They can be used for the storage and transportation of liquid, and can also be used in commercial applications as well as industrial.
Stainless steel storage tanks
These types of storage tanks are the most popular for residential and commercial applications. Stainless steel is one of the most durable and safest materials for storage tanks, though it isn’t the best option for all types of liquid, such as various types of acids.
Stainless steel tanks can be used for a variety of commercial uses including tanks for juice, water and wine. They serve a number of businesses in the food and beverage industries, as well as being used in the pharmaceutical industry for blending, manufacturing and storage.
Fiberglass storage tanks
Fiberglass tanks are an option for a number of applications, but aren’t used as widely as polyethylene or stainless steel storage tanks. They need frequent maintenance and the seams have the potential to leak. There are also a number of different chemicals that can cause a great deal of damage to their structural integrity.
Some final thoughts
The tank storage industry is a global one that offers a huge variety of solutions for the safe storage of all different types of chemicals, liquids and fluids. There are a number of companies around the world that specialize in storage tanks, with many such companies focusing on only a single industry.
Different types of content require different types of storage tanks, so it is important that you know which one you should be using, if you are installing it for your home or place of work. For most industrial operations, there will be experienced professionals who are dealing with storage, but for home use, you’ll need to do a little research beforehand, so you know exactly what you should be looking for.
If you do go with the underground storage tank solution, then it’s a good idea to get it professionally installed and set up, rather than trying to do it all yourself, as it is not such an easy process.