The Lifecycle of a Chem Resist Storage Tank

From Design to Manufacture

The most important stage in the life of a Chem Resist Chemical Storage tank is the one right at the start. Here we use our extensive technical expertise and experience to work with our customers to understand their application, challenges and the chemicals involved to enable us to agree the exact specification and tank design.

Only when this is established and agreed can manufacturing begin. Watch our video to see the different stages of a Chem Resist Chemical Storage Tank’s life, from manufacture through to being recycled.

Spiral Wound Thermoplastics

We have pioneered the use of Thermoplastics as the best material to safely contain corrosive and aggressive chemicals due to their broad range of chemical compatibility.

We are experts in spiral wound manufacturing, a process we developed in the early 1990’s, refined with Cambridge University and further enhanced to the method we use today. Manufacture begins when thermoplastic granules are heated to a temperature above 200°C and a continuous strip is extruded which is carefully wound into a cylinder of the required tank diameter. The high temperature means the overlap of the extrusion fuses together to create a homogenous cylinder wall with no weak seam welds.

Then a base and lid are added along with any access manways, flanged connection points, handrails, ducts and level instrumentation as the specification requires, to create a finished Chem Resist tank.

All Designed, Manufactured and Tested to Standard

At Chem Resist, we work to recognised standards throughout the design, manufacture and testing process.

Every Chem Resist chemical storage tank is designed and manufactured to BS EN 12573:2000.

All lids, bases and nozzles are welded internally and externally by our Fabricators, who are all trained and certified in accordance with BS EN 13067:2003.

And as a final quality check for our customers, each storage tank is hydrostatically tested to DVS-2206-2.

The Most Sustainable Choice

Compared to other chemical storage tank technologies, including steel and GRP, combining thermoplastics with our spiral wound manufacturing method results in the lowest carbon footprint. If we compare a 40m³tank for Hydrochloric Acid, the carbon footprint created from cradle to gate is significantly less for Spiral Wound Thermoplastics.

In addition, Thermoplastic tanks are lighter than the steel alternatives, resulting in a lower transport and fuel costs.

If you’d like to find out more about “The Chemical Storage Carbon Footprint”, download our white paper:

Through Operation to Final Recycling

Once installed, and unlike a GRP vessel, our storage tanks are not constrained by a limited number of fill and empty cycles. So, with regulator inspections and routine maintenance, they are capable of reaching their 20-year design life; delivering excellent ROI for our customers.

Finally, at the end of its operation, our tanks can be removed from site, cut up and unlike GRP can be recycled. The thermoplastic is ground back into granules, which then go onto make low pressure pipe.

So, why choose Spiral Wound Thermoplastic Chemical Storage Tanks?

Thermoplastics provide excellent resistance to a broad range of chemicals.
Spiral Wound manufacturing creates a homogenous cylinder wall to a range of bespoke diameters, with no weak seam welds.
Our tanks also offer the environmentally responsible choice for chemical storage, generating the smallest carbon footprint when compared to steel and GRP.

We design, manufacture and test every tank to the highest standards.
Each storage tank comes with a 20-year design life as standard, giving a long and productive operation unconstrained by limited fill and empty cycles.
At the end of life our tanks can be recycled and go on to make low-grade industrial pipe.

Who are Chem Resist?

We’re the UK’s leading manufacturer of Spiral Wound Thermoplastic Tanks, with almost 60 years’ experience in manufacturing tanks to store, mix and process corrosive and aggressive chemicals. We share our extensive technical knowledge and expertise to ensure our customers have a tailored solution for their application.

And every Spiral Wound Thermoplastic Chemical Storage Tank we manufacture is, ‘Built with Integrity’.

Get in touch for more information

If you’re interested in learning more about Chemical Storage tanks manufactured using the Spiral Wound method – how they can be used to benefit your organisation and the environment when compared to the alternatives – just get in touch with Chem Resist using our form.

Alternatively, if you have a full specification for a tank, please select the full quote option to enter all relevant details and one of our Technical Sales team will come back to you

Or to speak to the Sales Director of Process Plant, Gary Smith please call on +44 1924 499466 or [email protected].