Can You Store Hydrogen Peroxide in a Poly Tank?
Yes, up to 50%, with relief and welded fittings.
By James Riggins, Lead Engineer, Liberty Chemical & Equipment Supply, Inc.
Yes, up to 50%, but vent for decomposition. Poly Processing recommends XLPE at or below 50% with a weighted manway that relieves at 0.25 psi. Peabody lists hydrogen peroxide among oxidizers where it does not recommend XLPE, so manufacturers disagree. Both prefer welded polyethylene fittings.
Hydrogen peroxide: tank spec points
| Point | What the manufacturer documents | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Resin | XLPE at or below 50% (Poly Processing). Peabody instead lists hydrogen peroxide among the oxidizers calling for linear polyethylene. | Rule: pressure relief |
| Relief | A hinged-weighted manway with a 316 stainless arm opens at 0.25 psi to relieve pressure during rapid decomposition, then re-closes. | Rule: pressure relief |
| Fittings | Peabody prefers welded polyethylene fittings over flanges and couplings, since fewer gasket interfaces means fewer decomposition starting points. | Rule: welded fittings |
| Hazard | Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water and oxygen on exposure. The danger is fire or explosion, so off-gassing is a design driver, not an afterthought. | Rule: pressure relief |
Where manufacturers disagree
Poly Processing recommends XLPE for hydrogen peroxide at or below 50%. Peabody's special-application guidance lists hydrogen peroxide with sulfuric acid, sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide as oxidizers where it does not recommend XLPE tanks, and calls for linear polyethylene. Ask the manufacturer for its recommendation in writing at your strength before ordering.
Catalog lines published at 1.90 SG or higher
16 of the 52 product lines on the storage tank hub publish a specific-gravity rating of 1.90 or more, from 3 manufacturers. A published rating is not a chemical-compatibility rating: confirm the resin for hydrogen peroxide with the manufacturer.
- Ace Roto-Mold, Vertical Tanks (10–15,500 gal), rated to 2.00 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
- 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
- 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 is the maximum hydrogen peroxide concentration for a polyethylene tank?
Poly Processing's XLPE recommendation is for concentrations at or below 50%, which also matches Peabody's guidance.
Why does a hydrogen peroxide tank need a relief manway?
Peroxide decomposes into oxygen and water, and rapid decomposition builds pressure. A weighted manway opens at 0.25 psi and then reseals.
Are welded fittings better than flanged for hydrogen peroxide?
Peabody prefers welded polyethylene fittings because fewer gasket interfaces mean fewer places for catalytic decomposition to start.
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