Critical Tank Mistakes To Avoid

Introduction

Stainless steel processing tanks have a long lifespan if they are constructed well and given proper attention. The care of your tank begins with the concepts and properties in the design stage and continues through years or even decades of use.

Spec Your Tank Correctly

The functionality of your tank must be considered first. Not only do you want to pick the right material and finish for your tank, but you also need to match the operational requirements to the design. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you plan on doing hot work?
• How do you plan on cleaning the tank?
• Will it be inside or outside?
• What safety and health standards will you need to meet?

Failure to consider all of the specifications will cause various problems over the years, and your tank could operate at a less-than-optimum level.

Run the Horizontal Agitator With Enough Product Covering the Blades

Years ago, we heard from a manufacturer who would run their horizontal agitator while their tank was nearly empty. Next thing they knew, the agitator was warped. When processing, the blades of your agitator need to be covered with the product by at least a foot above the blade. If the blades are not covered enough, the product could slap around and create turbulence. This puts stress on the blades and could cause them to bend or, worse, detach. When there is enough product covering the blades, it keeps them centered, balanced, and turning the product.

Train Staff That Will Be Working with the Tank

Before tank use and maintenance, ensure those working with the equipment know its functions and mechanics. The more people who know the basic information about the processing equipment, the better, such as:

• Where the gauges are located
• What media will be running through which pipes and valves
• When to run what media
• The proper care equipment must be received in order to run efficiently

The more attentive people are to equipment, the easier it is to identify problems when they occur. Routine visual inspections are a great way to keep your tank running at peak performance levels.

We saw this example play out with a customer performing a visual inspection on their tank and noticing a leak they thought was the product. This customer promptly called Paul Mueller Company to repair the leak.  After arriving on-site, it was found the heat transfer was leaking, not the product. This customer did a great job of acting quickly on a small problem before it became a greater nuisance.

Let the Tank Cool down Before Filling with a Cold Media

We receive calls repeatedly from customers who have imploded their tanks by filling them with a cold product before it's properly cooled down. Combine this with a tank that doesn't have proper ventilation, and it's a recipe for disaster. It is important to not only maintain proper treatment of your heating and cooling media but also know how much time your tank needs to cool down.