Acing Chemical Storage Through the Coldest Months
Winter brings drastic temperature shifts across the United States, with averages ranging from a balmy 67.4°F in Hawaii to a frigid 2.6°F in Alaska. For most states, though, winter hovers just above freezing at 33.2°F.
These cold extremes create unique challenges for chemical storage, as many substances are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Adapting to these conditions is essential to prevent issues that could compromise safety, efficacy, or compliance.
Challenges include:
- Liquids can freeze making them difficult to handle.
- Chemical storage tanks can crack or burst when improperly used and/or maintained in freezing weather.
- Cold temperatures can change chemical properties.
- Some chemical mixtures can be separated into individual components.
- Chemicals can become more volatile, making them hazardous.
Despite all these potential negatives, there are steps to mitigate these risks. You can make proper container selection, control the temperature, do chemical compatibility analysis, regular monitoring, and keep a safety data sheet review.
In this article, you’ll learn the practical ‘hacks’ for safe and efficient chemical storage during the coldest months. This includes indoor relocation, insulation, and strategic placement.
Read on to find out more.
Understanding the Effects of Cold on Chemicals
Some chemicals are very sensitive to temperature changes. Exposing them to cold can affect their properties.
Freezing Points
One of the main factors that influence chemical storage in winter is the freezing points of different chemicals. Chemicals have varying freezing points, which dictates the best storage conditions. For instance;
- Water-based solutions e.g., cleaning agents can freeze at 32°F (0°C).
- Acids e.g., Sulfuric acid freeze at temperatures below 37°F (3°C), depending on their concentration.
- Organic solvents e.g., acetone have lower freezing points of around -139°F (-95°C).
On the other hand, when chemicals freeze, they trigger several risks. Some chemicals expand damaging storage tanks. This may lead to further environmental issues if spill control measures are not put in place.
Water-based solutions can expand and crack plastic chemical containment tanks. Other chemicals crystalize or separate, degrading the quality of the products. Some become hazardous, especially when used in industrial processes.
Changes in Flow
The dropping of temperatures makes many liquid chemicals undergo a significant shift in the liquid flow. Normally, thicker liquids move slower. This makes pumping and dispensing harder. It worsens in cold environments potentially causing serious issues, especially in industrial operations that rely on a smooth flow of materials.
For example:
- Motor oil thickens in low temperatures which can potentially clog systems and reduce efficiency
- Chemicals that resemble molasses, e.g., glycerin may become extremely defective making them almost impossible to pump
- Industrial coatings and paints may thicken which can complicate their application, compromising the integrity and quality of finishes
An increase in cold-induced velocity may cause pump strains, reduced flow rates due to clogging, or material waste because the chemicals won’t be fully dispensed.
Chemical Reactions
Temperatures affect the behavior of chemicals. Cold temperatures affect chemical reaction rates and stability. Winter temperatures slow down chemical reactions because the reduced kinetic energy of molecules makes it harder for them to collide and react effectively.
This in itself is a positive thing, but there are challenges such as:
- Polymerization reactions in industries that deal with plastics or adhesives can lead to incomplete curing or hardening
- Battery electrolytes can have slower chemical reactions, reducing battery output and efficiency
- Agricultural chemicals e.g., pesticides can lose effectiveness
Cold temperatures may further affect chemical stability like crystallization in liquid fertilizers, phase separation, or reduced reactivity in cleaning or oxidation products.
Winter Hacks for Safe Chemical Storage: Hacking Your Storage Space
There are three ways of hacking your storage space to enhance liquid protection in winter; relocating, insulation, and strategic placement.
Relocation
Relocation is one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect temperature-sensitive chemicals during winter. Relocating can be done to a heated storage area or indoors. This solution minimizes exposure to cold temperatures and preserves the chemical's integrity and functionality.
Heated Storage Area
A heated storage area is a controlled environment customized to maintain stable temperatures above freezing points. The temperatures are usually set between 0°F to 75°F (10°C to 24°C). Some of the properties of heated storage areas include:
- Insulation to reduce heat loss.
- Use space heaters, radiant heating panels, or HVAC systems to ensure consistent temperatures.
- Properly ventilated to prevent the buildup of vapor or fumes.
- They must comply with state chemical storage regulations.
How to Set Up Indoor Storage
The steps of setting up indoor chemical storage involves:
- Identify a dedicated space that can be customized to maintain stable temperatures.
- Install digital temperature monitors or thermometers to track conditions.
- Use double-wall chemical containment to manage spills or leaks. Look for spill containment or trays.
This is a cost-effective approach to prevent freezing and ensure your stored chemicals remain ready for use through the cold months.
Insulation
Insulation is the addition of materials around storage units to reduce heat loss and maintain stable temperatures. It is a crucial solution during cold months to prevent freezing, decrease energy costs, protect storage equipment, and ensure chemicals remain usable. Insulation is applied on storage tanks, outdoor units, valves, and pipes.
The different types of options for insulated chemical storage tanks include:
- Foam Insulation: Calls for special installation from the manufacturer. It is made of high quality polyurethane.
- Heat Tracing: They generate heat to raise or maintain tank or pipeline temperatures.
Strategic Placement of Tanks in Winter
This is the positioning of cold-weather chemical storage tanks in favorable locations. Place your chemical storage tanks in direct sunlight or sheltered from wind. It capitalizes on natural temperature regulations and reduces heating costs.
Other Winter Tips to Consider
There are other alternatives other than capitalizing on your storage space. They include:
Tank Heating Advice for Safe Chemical Storage
There are different types of heaters to consider when choosing heating hacks:
Tank Heaters
Heating Blankets or internal tank heaters are reusable and removable. Tank heaters can be used in mobile or temporary storage units and secure your storage tanks in harsh winters up to -20°F and 20mph Winds. What’s more, our tank and tote heaters come with buckles & straps to fasten the heated blanket.
By maintaining the temperature of stored chemicals, tank heaters preserve the consistency and functionality of stored content.Heat blankets prevent freezing, thickening, or solidifying of chemicals, which makes them difficult or impossible to use.
Heat Tracing
Heat tracing is a method used to maintain or raise the temperature of tanks and other process equipment. It involves installing special cables around these areas to prevent freezing during winter. This technical procedure requires professional installation. Heat tracing is used in oil and gas industries, chemical plants, and the food and beverage industry.
Tank Material Selection
Selecting the right winter-ready storage tank material is important for maintaining chemical safety in winter. Each material has its unique properties that make it suitable or not, for freezing temperatures.
- Polyethylene tanks are flexible and resilient in extreme temperatures and can resist cracking when temperature drops.
- Steel storage tanks are structurally strong but prone to corrosion in certain chemical applications. Nonetheless, with the right internal and external coating, steel tanks have a higher threshold against temperature variances.
- Fiberglass storage tanks are resistant to extreme temperature fluctuations and work well in both above-ground and underground applications.
Handling and Prevention Tips
Another approach to chemical storage in cold temperatures is through proper handling and prevention techniques.
Here are our top tips:
- Antifreeze solutions are solutions added to certain chemical systems to lower the freezing point and protect chemicals from freezing during winter.
- Regular inspections during cold months are a maintenance procedure to help identify potential issues early, preventing minor issues from becoming costly or dangerous failures.
- Winterizing equipment ensures pumps, valves, and other tank components remain undamaged and operational in freezing temperatures.
- Safe Tank Levels to account for potential expansion during freezing when storing chemicals in tanks. Maintain safe fill levels to prevent overfilling if the substance freezes and expands. This helps avoid damage to the chemical tank and potential spills.
- Emergency preparedness helps in prompt action in case of leaks or spills in cold temperatures to prevent complicated cleanup efforts or increased risk of environmental damage.
Tank Depot Solutions to Chemical Storage
Tank Depot is a leading supplier of chemical storage tanks. We vet every supplier before listing their chemical containment tanks in our catalog to ensure they meet quality and safety regulations. We have the best chemical storage tanks of different sizes that can withstand the test of time during harsh temperatures in winter. Moreover, we walk with you after the tank purchase to ensure your storage units remain resilient in the harshest environments for a long service life.
Contact Tank Depot today, for a free consultation of your next chemical tank order this winter!