Storage tanks may contain liquid supplies, dry supplies or both. In many cases, the structural integrity of storage tanks is critical to a community's survival because the tank may hold water or food supplies, or be used to stockpile viable economic commodities such as grain.
While the concept behind storage tanks - large vessels to hold something - is simple, there are sophisticated storage units with numerous special features. These tanks better protect the stored items from environmental concerns, pests and leakage. The following terms will get you started on storage tank specific vocabulary.
Bitumen
Bitumen is a sticky, naturally occurring blend of hydrocarbons that ranges from solid to semi-solid and brown to black in color. Bitumen is used to help create a dirt, sand, water and insect-proof material for sealing water tanks called presstite.
Pillow tanks
Pillow tanks are collapsible storage tanks that are suitable for short- or long-term storage of liquids, including water, juice, gasoline, waste water and more.
PSI
Some liquids, such as ammonia, may be so dense that they exert pressure from the inside out in storage tanks. This pressure is measured in PSI or pounds per square inch, and storage tanks should be rated to a minimum level for certain liquids. For example, ammonia should be stored in a tank with a rating of 30 PSI or better.
Federal UST program
The Federal Underground Storage Tank (UST) program dictates the handling of underground storage tanks holding petroleum products and other hazardous substances.
U.S Environmental Protection Agency explains the purpose of the UST program, which tanks it applies to, and offers links to the relevant statutes.
Filament winding
Filament winding is one process by which fiberglass storage tanks are constructed. In this process, multiple continuous fiberglass strands are wrapped around a mold with resin then brushed, poured or sprayed on.
Tank access
Ladders, hatches and platforms are just a few of the methods used to gain access to storage tanks.
