THIRTY years after launching its Minibulk range of storage and process tanks in polypropylene and HDPE, Forbes has developed a new product with an integral close-fitting safety bund.
The most vulnerable parts of any tank are the low level connections that can be mechanically damaged or leak through gasket degradation. However, the Minibulk-Total system has all connections through the roof or against the top knuckle of the vertical shell. Currently capacities of more than 40 cubic metres are available.
Liquid is discharged from the tank via a patented siphon system or via a run-dry pump capable of lifting the contents over the top knuckle into the outlet down pipe. Either system can be supplied as part of the tank package. The tank is integrally mounted in a close fitting secondary safety tank which acts as a safety bund. There is liquid monitoring within the bund area to give warning of any leakage.
The recently-installed latest automated manufacturing equipment ensures guaranteed quality assurance said the company and the equipment incorporates automatic computer-controlled welding of the base plates to the shell both inside and outside the shell. For remote sections the unit is overseen by high-resolution cameras.
“This design of tank is regarded universally as one of the safest and secure methods of storing hazardous liquids,” said a spokesman. The inlet and outlet down pipes have the option of incorporating double containment. The fill line can have an automatic shut off to prevent overfilling of the tank.
“The tank is fitted with a simple warning system which can give warnings of low level, high level, high/high level and emergency high level. The high/high level activates a warning and shut-off valve on the fill line. The shut-off is so designed that in the event of power failure or mechanical malfunction the valve automatically closes. This device has the advantage of the tank not requiring an overflow which often presents a problem as to where to pipe the overflow to. This alleviates the risk of hazardous liquids being discharged into the environment.”
With a close-fitting bund tank, the footprint is greatly reduced. It also aids installation as the unit is supplied assembled and in the majority of cases will be lifted into position by a large truck-mounted crane, keeping down transport and installation costs. The company offers a full installation package which includes bolting down to the plinth, fitting outlet and inlet pipework and where necessary fitting a suitable fume scrubber on the vent.
