Hydraulic Tanks Key Terms

Get acquainted with key terms related to hydraulic tanks
By Howard Robertson Hydraulic tanks, also known as hydraulic reservoirs or hydraulic reservoir tanks, are storage tanks that are extremely useful for various applications.

Whether you want to buy or rent hydraulic tanks, or you want to become a hydraulic tanks service provider, you will need to be conversant with certain terms that indicate specifications or types of hydraulic tanks. This guide will familiarize you with key terms related to hydraulic tanks, such as storage tank corrosion, thermal insulation, and relief valves.

Storage tank corrosion

Corrosion is one of the major reasons for failure of hydraulic tanks. Corrosion occurs when a tank made of metal interacts with atmospheric elements.
Try:  NACE International, a national association of corrosion engineers, has published a paper on storage tank corrosion.     

Corrosive agent

A corrosive agent is a substance that can cause rust or corrosion. In order to prevent corrosion, most hydraulic tanks have a protective coating. Alkaline compounds, acids and salts are the most common corrosive agents. Depending on the location of the hydraulic tank, it may be more susceptible to certain corrosive agents.
Try:  Sanchem Inc. provides information on its NO-OX-ID corrosion protection.

Interior liner

To protect the tank metal from corrosion, you will need to install a noncorrosive interior liner made of synthetic materials in the hydraulic tank.
Try:  You can learn more about the tank lining process at Amtech Tank Lining and Tank Repair. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission provides details of interior tank lining requirements for underground storage tanks.  

Magnetic plugs

Magnetic plugs are used in oil hydraulic tanks to arrest iron particles. When oil flows from one tank chamber into the other, it passes through a strong magnetic field that attracts the ferrous particles in the fluid. These are useful for applications where inclusion of metal particles in the system fluid is not acceptable.
Try:  Magnetic Drain Plugs, an informative website by C.G. Enterprises, provides the explanation about magnetic plugs and their uses.

Thermal insulation

Many hydraulic tanks have thermal insulation to reduce the rate of heat transfer and maintain a lower temperature of the system fluid.
Try:  For information about thermal insulation, refer to Knowledgerush.com, an online resource.

Relief or safety valves

Some hydraulic tanks are equipped with a relief valve to maintain a safe operating pressure. Relief valves control or limit the pressure in a system, which can build up by a faulty process, appliance or equipment failure.
Try:  Pump World, a website of pump industry professionals, publishes information about relief valves and their types.

UST (Underground Storage Tanks)

You will require an underground storage tank if you need to store your fluids underground. Maintaining a tank underground is an expensive affair and the possibility of groundwater contamination is very high due to the tank's vulnerability to corrosion.
Try:  At the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), you can learn more about using underground storage tanks and the regulations related to them.        

AST (Aboveground Storage Tanks)

Tanks that store fluids above ground level are aboveground storage tanks. It is easier to maintain an AST than an underground tank. However, these tanks take up more space and can be more expensive.
Try:  At EPA (PDF) (United States Environmental Protection Agency), you can learn more about aboveground storage tanks.