10,000 gal. 98% Sulfuric Acid Tank Carbon Steel material

[ep51857]

We are planning to replaced an existing 10,000 gal. 98% Sulfuric Acid Tank Carbon Steel material, 3/8" thichness wall, 18"-0" T/T x 9"-0" diam., built in 1975 (our location is at Carolina, Puerto Rico Lilly site Pharmaceutical Plant). It is an atmospheric tank w/ dish heads.

I will like to know if Ul-142 Code w/flat heads and using a corrosion allowance of +1/8" = 1/2"wall thickness is the best alternative vs. API-650 w/flat heads and 3/8"wall thickness or do we have to stay with the original design of dish heads.

 

[rustbuster]

You'll have to do the calculations, if both designs meet code, it's a matter of costs for material and fabrication.

 

[JoeTank]

Sulfuric acid is about 85% heavier that water, so I do not believe that the standard off-the-shelf UL-142 tanks will be suitable unless someone does the calcs to prove so. Regarding corrosion allowance, there never seems to be enough for theses types of tanks, especially at the liquid-air interface.

Steve Braune
Tank Industry Consultants

http://www.tankindustry.com