Some tanks are used for storage, holding critical liquids that are used in manufacturing processes, while other tanks are used as a reactor. If you need to mix liquids or cause a chemical reaction as a part of your manufacturing process, the type of tank you use is extremely important.
Chemical reaction engineers apply chemical kinetics to industrial systems in the production of the wide variety of manufacturing processes. The tanks used as reactors need to be sturdy enough to withstand the effects of these chemical reactions and must be engineered to accommodate the elements necessary to promote the desired reaction.
Continuous stirred tank reactors typically have an agitator that sits on top of the tank and baffles on the inside walls of the tank to assist in mixing. In addition, they generally have a cone bottom to aid in cleaning out the tanks as needed.
Houston PolyTank’s extrusion-wound polyethylene and polypropylene tanks make very good candidates for plastic reactor tanks because:
- They can withstand extremely high temperatures (120° for polyethylene and 180° for polypropylene )
- These plastic reactor tanks are sturdy enough to have the mixer mounted directly on top of the tank (no external platforms or support necessary)
- The walls are thick enough to attach whatever accessories will be needed as a part of optimizing that tank for the reaction expected
- Any accessory can be added (welded) onto the side of the tank
- The polyethylene or polypropylene construction materials are extremely well suited to create a more sturdy yet conductive environment in which to contain the reaction
- Our plastic reactor tanks can be made in virtually any size necessary from very small up to 20,000 gallons
- Sometimes it is beneficial both from the standpoint of economy and manufacturing efficiency to operate several reactor tanks in the series. This allows each one to operate in its own concentration and its own reaction rate.
- Houston Polytank’s extrusion wound tank is custom engineered to order, which means you can enjoy the right economies of scale, order only what your process needs, and get exactly what you want.
Want to find out more? Check out details about our tanks here. If you’re looking for a reactor tank for your manufacturing process, feel free to give one of our engineers a call!
