Department Editor: Kate Torzewski

Acid Storage
M
ost common acids can be stored in
horizontal or vertical ASME-type
tanks, as shown in the gures to the
right, or vertical API-type tanks. Horizontal,
carbon-steel ASME-type tanks of 10,000
40,000 gal capacity should have a plate
thickness of 3/8 in. with dished heads of
the same thickness. The thickness includes
a corrosion allowance of 1/4 in., which
provides a tank life of 1520 years.
Sulfuric acid (H
2
SO
4
)
Storage. This acid is prone to enter into
reactions that generate hydrogen, so in
addition to keeping the vessel vented
adequately, exclude potential sources of
ignition from the vicinity.
Materials of construction. Carbon
steel is satisfactory for concentrated
technical grades of sulfuric acid at
normal atmospheric temperature. H
2
SO
4

solutions that are more dilute corrode
carbon steel severely. To avoid inadver-
tent dilution of concentrated acid, keep
acid away from contact with moist air.
Polyvinyl chloride pipe is recommended
for ordinary sulfuric acid, but for oleum,
Type 316 stainless steel or carbon-steel
lined with a uorocarbon is best.
Phosphoric acid (H
3
PO
4
)
Storage. The tank bottom should be rolled
to a height of 3 in. (upward). This allows
welds to freely expand or contract. Corner
welds should be avoided, as undue stresses
can occur and aggravate corrosion [2].
Depending on the acid grade, the freezing
point varies and may necessitate heating to
avoid freeze-up in storage. In any case, to
avoid corrosion, high-pressure steam should
not be used; steam coils located several
inches below the bottom of the tank are
recommended. The space below the tank
bottom should be enclosed to permit heat-
ing of the air to 50C, and the tank walls
should be insulated.
Materials of construction. Tanks can
be fabricated of Type 316 extra-low-carbon
stainless steel, rubber--lined carbon steel or
berglass-reinforced plastic. Carbon steel
should not be used, as it will corrode.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Storage. HCl of all strengths should be
stored in tanks similar to those men-
tioned above. Containment areas should
be provided around tanks, and storage
facilities should include a pressure- and
vacuum-relief service, primary and
redundant level indicators, a high-level
alarm, an overow line, an emergency
block valve at the tank outlet nozzle and
a vent-fume scrubber.
Materials of construction. These
storage tanks should be fabricated of rub-
ber-lined carbon steel, glass-lined carbon
steel or ber-reinforced polymer (FRP). Soft
natural-rubber compounds are used as lin-
ers for concentrated acid storage tanks at
temperatures up to 60C with a minimum
lining thickness of 3/16 in. Semi-hard
rubber is used for lining equipment and
piping for acid up to 70C with FRP tanks
of vinyl-ester resin.
Nitric acid (HNO
3
)
Storage. Storage tanks for HNO
3
of less
than 95 wt.% concentration should be
designed for at least a slight pressure and
vacuum, permitting the venting of nitrogen-
oxide fumes to collection and disposal
equipment, such as a scrubber or a are.
When locating the tank vent and overow
pipe, consider that escaping vapors and
liquid can corrode exterior welds as the
acid is diluted with atmospheric moisture.
Materials of construction. For concen-
trations up to 95 wt.% at ambient tempera-
ture, storage units should be fabricated of
Type 304L stainless steel. For concentra-
tions of 95 wt.% and above, Type 3003
aluminum alloy should be used. Acid in
the range of 5255 wt.% should be stored
in tanks of Type 347 stainless steel using
No. 12 gage sheet. Above 90 wt.%, cor-
rosion allowance in the tank-wall thickness
may be necessary. Glass-lined carbon
steel tanks are satisfactory for all acid
grades.
Hydrofuoric acid (HF)
Storage. Because of anhydrous HFs high
vapor pressure, tanks are designed for a
minimum pressure of 60 psig and have
X-rayed and stress-relieved welds. Tanks
holding 70 wt.% HF are also designed per
ASME code, or for lower pressure, as its
vapor pressure is much lower than that of an-
hydrous HF. These tanks should be equipped
with a relief device, and discharge piping
should be routed to a scrubber. Aqueous HF
tanks should have a vent, with the vent line
also going to the scrubber.
Materials of construction. Carbon-steel
storage tanks can be used for anhydrous HF
at temperatures up to 66C and 70 wt.%
HF. Acid of concentrations greater than 60
wt.% may be handled in steel up to a tem-
perature of 38C. In steel tanks, hydrogen
blistering may be caused by the accumula-
tion of H
2
, so periodic tank inspections are
required to evaluate blistering.
References
1. Grossel, S., Safe Efcient Handling of Acids,
Chem. Eng. December 1998, pp. 104112.
2. Anon., Phosphoric Acid, Rhone-Poulene Basic
Chemicals Co., Shelton, Conn. (1992).
2A*
Weld lines
* Minimum width of the shell course at each saddle. Width may be increased if more economical for shell course layout.
Knuckle radius line
2A*
DImension all nozzle
locations from this line
Standard flanged
and dished heads
Manhole Vent
A A
Top plate of saddle
welded to shell
6 in. typical
Nominal capacity level
Bottom
outlet
baffle
Channel
legs
Submerged
fill pipe
Grounding
clip
Name
plate
R

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O
D

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a
p
p
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x
)
1
5

i
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.
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