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Keep hazardous materials under control with containment tanks and vessels

It is imperative that hazardous materials and wastes be stored and transported with great caution. Tanks and vessels for hazardous waste are specifically designed to withstand high temperatures, high internal pressure, corrosion to prevent leakage or spillage of contents. Materials commonly used are stainless steel and reinforced fiberglass.

I recommend: Highland Tank has a complete line of drums for hazardous petroleum/chemical material storage. For transportation and storage of oils and other hazardous material consider the oil-tainer from Chem-Tainer Industries. Also utilize containers and services from Container Distributors for safe storage and transportation of hazardous wastes.

Make treatment tanks part of your water treatment process

Water treatment processes require different tanks for different applications such as water softener tanks, brine tanks, sludge dewatering, waste water treatment and more.

I recommend: For waste water treatment consider Res-Kem Corp. which provides commercial vessels like polyethylene tanks, fiberglass industrial tanks and more. CROM manufactures waste water tanks and vessels including sludge digesters, clarifiers and aeration tanks for your waste water treatment needs. Borealis provides tank solutions for waste water treatment, inspection chambers and water supply treatments.

Use process tanks for extensive industrial uses

Process tanks are used for pharmaceutical applications, food processing, storage of solids and liquids, separation of oils among wide range of other uses. Due to the extensibility of their uses, research the different types of process tanks and industrial vessels to determine which will be best suited for your business's processes.

I recommend: You can custom order process tanks for your industrial needs form Chattanooga Boiler & Tank. Composites USA manufactures process tanks applicable for many uses, along with corresponding accessories.

Transport and store pressurized gases and liquids with pressure tanks and vessels

If you have pressurized industrial or food items to store and transport, pressure tanks are what you need.

I recommend: Consider pressure vessels for liquids and gases from Buckeye Fabricating Company. Hays Fabricating and Welding has pressurized tanks available in my different shapes and sizes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Instead of investing in brand new industrial tanks and commercial vessels, try utilizing used tanks and vessels for your business as they significantly reduce costs. Look for authorized used tank dealers as they ensure that the tanks are properly cleaned and reconstituted for safe reuse and storage.

Guide to Tanks and Vessels

Industrial vessels come in all shapes and sizes to fit your application

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose storage tanks and vessels for liquids

Most large, liquid storage tanks are made of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum or concrete. Depending on the size of the tank and its contents, you may need to consider lining a large tank with a special coating. Smaller liquid storage tanks may be made of plastic.

I recommend: Water storage is one of the most common uses for tanks and vessels, so there are many companies that there who could meet your needs. However, Water Tanks.com is a leader in the industry. GlobalIndustrial.com offers a wide range of water tanks as well.

Look for pressurized tanks and vessels

This type of tank requires special handling for installation and usage, because the contents are under pressure. Work closely with the manufacturer to get the right pressurized tank for your needs.

I recommend: Hanson Tank offers a number of pressurized tanks that can be custom built to your specifications. Allegheny Bradford Company specializes in pressurized tanks for biochemical engineering needs.

Use industrial tanks that can control hazardous materials and spills

Accidents happen, and you want a product you can use to clean up and store any spilled materials. Find industrial tanks and vessels designed to protect you and your property.

I recommend: Ryan Herco Flow Solutions has a line of poly tanks designed to contain hazardous spills. Chem-Tainer Industries, Inc. has tanks for used petrochemicals. And Interstate Products, Inc. offers pillow tanks to contain hazardous wastes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to find a manufacturer of tanks and vessels that meets your standards. They should be able to walk you through every step of the delivery and installation process, and stand behind their work with a good warranty that guarantees their commitment to upholding environmental standards.

Guide to Tanks and Vessels Education and Training

Advance your tanks and vessels education and training with the right courses and certifications

By Virginia Franco, Freelance Writer

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend industrial vessels or tanks training courses

Industrial vessels and tanks manufacturers are constantly using technology to improve their products. Keeping abreast of these changes, and knowing when it is time to upgrade your organization's equipment, is part of keeping your education current.

I recommend: Spirall Plastics, a manufacturer of a number of different types of industrial tanks, provides installation and operation training as well as user manual instruction. Tank Industry Consultants offers seminars to help industry professionals design and implement tank maintenance and upgrade programs.

Become a tanks and vessels expert with Professional Engineering Certification

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) compares professional engineering licensure to the bar exam for lawyers, claiming it provides proof of that an engineer has 'fulfilled the education and experience requirements to offer engineering services directly to the public.' Each state has its own PE certification exam and to pass you must have a comprehensive knowledge of vessels and tank operations, among other things.

I recommend: ASME International offers a PE Exam Review Course on DVD for $650. The School of PE (formerly the School of Professional Engineering) also offers review courses for the PE exam.

Get API 510 Certified to enhance your commercial vessels industry marketability

The API 510 Certification teaches you to inspect pressure vessels to ensure they meet all regulatory and safety requirements. Many companies will not hire candidates without API 510 certification.

I recommend: MSTS Inspection Training Services offers several API 510 Certification training courses. Classes are held at MSTS offices in Bartlesville, OK. Base Line Data offers morning and evening API 510 test certification prep classes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Technology is changing rapidly, as do safety codes and standards. To keep up with the challenging task of the latest and greatest, consider joining an industry association. An industry association will work to keep members advised on tanks and vessels education and training opportunities as they arise.

Guide to Tanks and Vessels Key Terms

Know tanks and vessels key terms to make the right choices for your business

By Denise Brown

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Tank

A tank is a storage unit that seldom has pressure applied to its contents. Tanks usually have thicker walls at their base to better support the contents.

I recommend: See the tanks at BHTank and read about welded tank construction.

Vessel

Vessels are containers that hold contents under pressure. The construction of a vessel must meet rigid specifications that put equal pressure on all parts of the vessel rather than on the base, as is the case with a tank.

I recommend: See the information about vessels at H2BestPractices. Shoemaker & Haaland make and install vessels for liquid processing facilities.

Head

The head is the top and bottom portion of a vessel. There are three basic forms of vessel heads: hemispherical, torispherical and elliptical. Hemispherical is one-half of a sphere. Torispherical vessels have a two-part head. The first part is the crown, and the knuckle connects the crown to the shell. Elliptical heads are oval shaped.

I recommend: Find examples of vessel heads at Technex.

Shell

The shell is the cylindrical part of a tank or vessel. Pressurized vessels have metal shells, while tank shells can be plastic, metal or concrete. Depending on the intended use of the shell, it may or may not have a lining.

I recommend: You can see a cylindrical shell at United Industries.

Buffer tank

A buffer tank serves as a pressure release source for a vessel. If necessary, overflow may run into a buffer tank. A buffer tank can also work efficiently to keep the contents of a vessel at a precise temperature.

I recommend: Heat-Flo Heating Products has an example of a buffer tank.

Couplings

Tank and vessel couplings connect storage containers with hoses or pipes so you can use the contents. Couplings extend from the head and are female-threaded connections.

I recommend: Find out more about couplings in the spec sheets at Central Fabricators.