Chemical storage
When storing chemicals many considerations must be taken into account. Some of the types of chemicals that you might expect to be stored in chemical storage tanks are fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, disinfectants, animal and bird repellants, dyes, wood preservers, cleaning products, glues, solvents and anti-fouling products to name a few. Many of these chemicals are hazardous to humans and/or the environment and thus a lot of care has to be taken when storing them appropriately. Chemical storage tanks should be manufactured, designed and tested so that they adhere to the strict rules and regulations that have been set in place by care and safety regulatory bodies.
One of the most important considerations when dealing with chemicals is what material the chemical storage tank is made from. It is essential that the material used is resistant to whatever substances it contains within. It also needs to be able to function within the mechanical parameters of the substance i.e. erosive, corrosive, temperature and pressure. These chemical storage tanks may be subjected to extreme heat, cold, pressure, vacuum or the aggressive nature, meaning acidity or corrosiveness, of the chemical being stored. The producer of the chemical will usually advise what conditions are needed for the storage of their product so it is wise to follow this advice carefully.
A sensible suggestion when storing large amounts of chemicals would be to have a secondary containment system in place in case of accidental leaks or spills. Such systems could include drip or catch-trays, bunds which are extra storage areas to prevent the liquid from escaping or booms which are preventive barriers. These precautions will prevent any dangerous spills from reaching water supplies or inhabited areas where they could potentially have fatal consequences. Of course they could also save you a lot of money, in the long run, costs which you might incur due to prosecution and fines, increased insurance premiums, clean-up bills and loss of production and resources.
Another concern with bulk storage of chemicals is that chemicals that react together should be kept far apart. Otherwise, in the event of a spill, these products could combine and the reaction could produce catastrophic results. This is where the need for a secondary containment system becomes very effective. Similarly, flammable substances should be kept in fire-proof steel containers away from any possibilities of naked flames or sparks. If there are a large number of flammable substances together you might need a specially designated room in order to store them. Advice should be sought about this matter.
Regular maintenance and supervisory checks should be a standard practice in order to ascertain the safety and upkeep of these bulk chemical storage tanks. If tanks are left to get too old or are placed in non-approved positions they could become a liability and this could cause many of the problems we have already mentioned. Any damage would need to be repaired immediately or the tank replaced, whatever is most convenient and low risk.
If you need to dispose of chemical storage tanks then there are strict guidelines as to the necessary processes. They can’t just be washed or rinsed out and discarded due to the possibilities of contamination. You would need to seek advice as to the appropriate ways of disposing of these chemical storage bladders.
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