Can You Store Hydrochloric Acid in a Poly Tank?
Yes, but vent to a scrubber.
By James Riggins, Lead Engineer, Liberty Chemical & Equipment Supply, Inc.
Yes, up to 37% concentration. Peabody's special-application tank guidance covers hydrochloric (muriatic) acid in polyethylene at 1.5 specific gravity. The catch is the fumes: they are noxious and must be vented to a scrubbing system, not a standard mushroom vent.
Hydrochloric acid: tank spec points
| Point | What the manufacturer documents | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | Up to 37%. | Rule: scrubber venting |
| Rating | Peabody lists hydrochloric acid at 1.5 specific gravity in its special-application tank guidance. | Rule: scrubber venting |
| Venting | The noxious fumes require venting to a scrubbing system, a ventilation requirement separate from the tank material choice. | Rule: scrubber venting |
Catalog lines published at 1.50 SG or higher
20 of the 52 product lines on the storage tank hub publish a specific-gravity rating of 1.50 or more, from 3 manufacturers. A published rating is not a chemical-compatibility rating: confirm the resin for hydrochloric acid with the manufacturer.
- Ace Roto-Mold, Vertical Tanks (10–15,500 gal), rated to 2.00 SG
- Ace Roto-Mold, Gusseted Tanks (1,050–15,500 gal), rated to 1.80 SG
- Snyder Industries, Cone Bottom Tanks (15–13,000 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Ace Roto-Mold, Cone Bottom Tanks (150–12,500 gal), rated to 2.00 SG
- Snyder Industries, Double Wall Tank (35–12,500 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Chemical & Agricultural Tanks (25–10,000 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Chemical & Agricultural Open Top Tanks (1,100–10,000 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Snyder Industries, Vertical Tanks (22–9,500 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Ace Roto-Mold, Dualline Double Wall Tanks (65–6,500 gal), rated to 2.00 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem PLUS DCS Dual Containment Base Tank Set (300–4,000 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Snyder Industries, Horizontal Tanks (30–3,400 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Ace Roto-Mold, Cone Bottom Tanks - Open Top (840–2,610 gal), rated to 1.70 SG
- Ace Roto-Mold, Round Horizontal Tanks (25–500 gal), rated to 1.70 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Cone Bottom Tanks - 30/45 Slope (45–500 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Open Top Cone Bottom Tanks - 22.5 Slope (100–500 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Solid Top Cone Bottom Tanks - 22.5 Slope (100–500 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Rectangular Tanks (13–330 gal), rated to 1.50 SG
- Ace Roto-Mold, Vertical and Cone Bottom Batch Tanks (55–325 gal), rated to 2.00 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Square Tank (up to 140 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
- Peabody Engineering, ProChem Cone Bottom Tanks - 60 Slope (19–101 gal), rated to 1.90 SG
Frequently Asked Questions
What strength of hydrochloric acid can go in a polyethylene tank?
Peabody's special-application guidance covers hydrochloric acid up to 37%.
Can I use a standard vent on a hydrochloric acid tank?
No. The fumes are noxious and must be vented to a scrubbing system rather than through a standard mushroom vent.
Is hydrochloric acid a stress-crack risk?
Resistance and stress cracking are separate checks. Reduce stress at fittings, bands and tie-downs, and confirm the chemical against the manufacturer's stress-crack list.
Related
Other chemicals
Tanks by material and shape:HDPE / polyethylene tanks · Polypropylene tanks · FRP (fiberglass) tanks · Vertical tanks · Cone bottom tanks · Flat bottom tanks · Horizontal tanks · Rectangular tanks · Double-wall tanks
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Reviewed by James Riggins, 30+ years specifying water and chemical process equipment · Updated