Water Tanks
Water tanks can technically be defined as containers that are made to store water. This term can also apply to containers that are built to store other substances utilized in water-oriented industrial applications.
Quick links to Water Tanks Information
Applications of Water Tanks
Water tanks are used across a broad range of industries, such as:
- Pharmaceutical
- Scientific
- Medical
- Waste Treatment
- Oil and Gas
- Agriculture
Within these industries, water tanks are used for countless applications, including:
- Storing Rainwater
- Storing Drinking Water for Commercial and Residential Purposes
- Water Treatment
- Fire Protection
- Agricultural Irrigation
Materials Used in Manufacturing Water Tanks
Water tanks can be made from either metal or plastic. The most common and recommended metal that is used to make water tanks is stainless steel. Stainless steel water tanks not only have an attractive aesthetic, they have a long service life, are non-toxic, resistant to corrosion, and have excellent sealing to prevent invasion of harmful external factors. These advantageous attributes make stainless steel a recommended material for the storage of drinking water. As durable as stainless steel can be, stainless steel tanks are, however, not capable of storing liquids with a high basic or acidic content, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid. Stainless steel water tanks can be stored indoors and outdoors, and the decision of where to place the water tanks depends on the temperature requirement of the tank’s contents.
Overall, plastic is the ideal material for the fabrication of water tanks, and it has become the more preferable option to metal tanks over the past 10 years. Plastic is more resistant to corrosion than metal, and it allows manufacturers to add colors and other inexpensive customizable features more easily. A wide variety of plastic materials can be utilized in fabricating plastic tanks. The most common and popular materials used to manufacture plastic tanks include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene. Polyethylene is a thermoplastic that is light and resistant to chemicals. Despite its lightweight, it is strong, durable, and easy to mold and manipulate. Polyethylene can come in various types, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Other reliable and durable options of plastic materials include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP). As advantageous as plastic can be, it is not without several drawbacks. It is highly absorbent of heat and has a low level of resistance to fire. Metal and plastic water tanks each have their own sets of benefits and drawbacks. Therefore, it is crucial to consider both the environment in which the water tanks will be kept, and the required conditions of the substances that will be stored inside.
Water Tank Design and Customization
Water tanks can vary greatly in capacity and size. Smaller tanks are capable of holding a mere few gallons, while the larger tanks can exceed 35 feet (approx. 16.2 m) in length, and have a storage capacity of at least 50,000 gallons. When large capacities of water are needed at a time, multiple tanks can be plumbed at the same time. When large quantities of water need to be shipped from place to place, large water tanks can be fixed onto a semi truck for efficient transportation. In addition to size and holding capacity, water tanks can vary in structure, from the overall shape of the tank to the shape of their bottoms and heads.
Common overall shapes of water tanks include:
- Octagonal
- Hexagonal
- Rectangular
- Square
- Cylindrical
The bottoms and heads of the tanks differ in shape according to their functions. Tanks that feature a conical bottom, for instance, act as a funnel, which allows the contents of a tank to quickly flow to the bottom, making the drainage of the tank a faster and simpler task. One example of the shape of a tank head is a hemispherical head. Hemispherical tank heads are most often found on cylindrical tanks and feature a radius that equals the radius of the cylindrical part of the tank. Torispherical tank heads are dish-shaped and have a fixed radius. Ellipsoidal or semi-elliptical tank heads have a height that is 25% of the diameter and are more economical than other types of heads.
Finding the Right Water Tank Manufacturer
Water is a valuable resource, and it must be properly cared for within business and industrial settings. Thankfully, water tanks are available in countless configurations to accommodate for a broad range of applications. Therefore, consulting with an experienced water tank manufacturer is highly recommended in selecting a water tank that suits your company’s needs.