Frequently Asked Questions

DCI, Inc., an employee-owned company, is a world leader in the manufacturing and servicing of both factory- and field-fabricated stainless steel and higher alloy storage and processing tanks, vessels, agitators and integrated systems. Proudly serving the beverage, biotech industries, chemical, cosmetic, dairy, food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries, DCI has remained true to its commitment to quality since 1955 through design and fabrication services.
DCI also offers a variety of components, including manway assemblies, agitation systems, dimple jackets, heads, and cylinders for replacement/modification applications and the OEM industry.

DCI has corporate offices and a production facility centrally located in St. Cloud, Minnesota as well as a production facility in Sparta, Missouri. It also has a partnership with its sister biotech company, Pierre Guerin in Noirt France-creating DCI-Biolafitte.

Please take a few moments to learn a bit more about our products and services, or visit pages designed to showcase our offerings for specific industries.

• TANKS PRIOR TO 1975:
• Manuals are no longer available due to non-existent information and obsolete vendor data.
• TANKS - 1975 THROUGH 1980: 
• Manuals and non-stock parts are subject to available information.
• TANKS NEWER THAN 1980:
• Manuals and parts are available for all tanks fabricated after 1980.

Please contact our parts department at (320) 252-8200 for a specific quotation. As a rule of thumb:

• TANKS - 1975 THROUGH 1980:
• Prices are determined on a per-project charge, based on available information. 
• TANKS NEWER THAN 1980:
• Prices are determined on a per-project charge, based on available information. 

DCI’s new head press produces hydroformed heads in capacities ranging from 16-gauge sheet through 3/8” plate material and sizes ranging from 12” through 156” diameter. Heads are available in alloys including stainless steel, carbon steel, Hastelloy®, Inconel®, and aluminum. See components brochure or hydroformed head chart for more information. 

The minimum requirements include: 

• Inside or outside diameter
• Knuckle radius
• Straight flange
• Material thickness
• Material type
• Weld finishes
• Inside/outside finishes

In order to return a part or component for credit or repair, you must contact a parts customer service representative for a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number. The RGA is then assigned to the part for tracking and receiving purposes. If the part is being sent back for a credit, there may be a 30% restocking fee, which will apply to the amount being credited. If a part is non-stock, then it is non-returnable, therefore it will not be accepted back and no credit will be issued.

• Standard Flanged & Dished
• ASME Flanged & Dished
• Shallow Flanged & Dished
• Dished only
• Flat Flanged
• Conical
• Torriconical
• 2:1 Elliptical
• 80/10

Click here to see a document with a sketch of each head type (shape).

The dish of a hydroformed head is inflated and formed using high-pressure water. Cold-formed heads are shaped by forming a flat plate into a dish by making small bumps via many passes over the entire head. For more information, please download Head Forming Processes and Comparisons.

Yes. DCI can repair broken or bent agitator shafts on prop and shaft assemblies by attaching a new shaft. This process also involves services to rebalance and reface the prop and shaft assembly once the shaft is attached. DCI can restore your prop and shaft assembly for almost half the cost of a new one. To send prop and shaft assemblies back for repair, please contact a parts customer service representative at (320) 252-8200 for a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number and for more details on price and shipping.