How to Pick the Right Stainless Steel Tank for Your Process
Every processing facility, from food and beverage plants to chemical manufacturers, relies heavily on its storage and processing vessels. Stainless steel tanks are critical parts of your production process, and you need one that works for your specific operation. Selecting the wrong stainless steel tank can lead to a whole slew of problems, and it’s imperative that you choose the right one the first time. Use this guide to narrow down your options when it comes to stainless steel tank selection.
1. Understand Your Process Requirements
Before looking at catalogs or talking to fabricators, you need a deep understanding of what happens inside the tank. First, consider the chemical composition of what will be stored in the tank. High chloride content can attack certain metals, while high-purity water systems require exceptionally smooth surfaces to prevent bacterial growth. In addition to chemical composition, you’ll also need to account for operating temperature, pressure, and density of the material.
2. Choose the Right Stainless Steel Grade
Stainless steel storage tanks come in various grades, each with different chemical compositions that offer varying levels of corrosion resistance and durability. Here’s a quick overview of the two common grades:
- 304 Stainless Steel—This is the most versatile and widely used grade. It offers excellent corrosion resistance for a wide range of chemicals and atmospheric conditions. It is typically the top choice for food processing where high acidity or chloride levels are not a concern.
- 316 Stainless Steel—If your process involves corrosive chemicals, saline solutions, or high temperatures, grade 316 is likely your best choice. It boasts excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, particularly in chloride environments.
3. Determine the Tank Design Specifications
Once you know the proper grade for your custom stainless steel tanks, it’s time to think about sizing. First and foremost, you need to balance your required volume against the available floor space and ceiling height in your facility. Consider whether vertical or horizontal tanks make the most sense for your space, and choose between a conical, rounded, or flat bottom.
4. Evaluate Construction Features
In addition to choosing the right specifications for your stainless steel tanks, you can select specific features that will optimize your process. Depending on your needs, a custom stainless steel tank could include:
- Jacketing and insulation for temperature maintenance
- Surface finishes for food-grade stainless tanks
- Features to support the weight and torque of an agitator
5. Ensure Compliance With Industry Standards
Before you make your final choice and schedule onsite fabrication, be sure to consider regulatory compliance. Every industry is different and upholds specific codes to ensure legality and safety. The best stainless process tanks for you will adhere to your industry’s standards 100%.
Find the Best Stainless Steel Tanks for You
Selecting the right stainless steel tank means considering a wide range of details, and getting the choice wrong can cost you. Fortunately, DCI, Inc. and its family of companies, including CPS and SSWI, offer a variety of tanks and vessels to streamline your process. Contact us today to start ideating your custom-engineered tanks.
