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Calcium Carbonate Storage — Limestone Slurry Tank System Selection

Storing Calcium Carbonate? Start Here

Calcium carbonate, often found in limestone, is a versatile mineral used in various industries like water treatment and paper production. It’s typically stored as a slurry, which is a mixture of finely ground limestone suspended in water. This slurry is used for things like adjusting pH levels in water treatment and reducing sulfur emissions in power plants. If you're planning to store calcium carbonate slurry, it's important to understand the specific requirements to ensure safe and effective storage.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, you can store calcium carbonate slurry in a polyethylene tank. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) tanks are suitable for this purpose, as they can handle the abrasive nature of the slurry. The key is to ensure the tank has a specific gravity rating of 1.9 ASTM to withstand the physical stress caused by the slurry's weight and movement.

Key Issue: Agitation is Essential

One critical aspect of storing calcium carbonate slurry is agitation. Without proper agitation, the limestone particles can settle and form a hard pack at the bottom of the tank, making it difficult to manage. It's vital to have an adequately sized agitator, typically 0.5–1.0 horsepower per 1,000 gallons, to keep the slurry in suspension and prevent sedimentation.

The safety that actually matters

  • Ensure your tank is rated for 1.9 ASTM specific gravity to handle the slurry's weight.
  • Use EPDM gaskets for compatibility with calcium carbonate.
  • Install proper agitation to prevent sedimentation and maintain slurry consistency.
  • Regularly inspect tanks for wear due to abrasion.

Common questions

Is calcium carbonate slurry corrosive?
No, it’s not chemically corrosive. The concern is abrasion from the suspended particles.
What type of tank fittings are recommended?
PVC fittings are typically used for calcium carbonate slurry tanks.
Do I need special bolts for the tank?
Yes, use 316 stainless steel bolts to ensure durability and resistance to abrasion.

Calcium Carbonate storage tanks from OneSource

For calcium carbonate storage, specify HDLPE_OR_XLPE rated to specific gravity 1.9. Verified, compatibility-matched options:

Confirm chemical compatibility and a ZIP freight quote with our team at 866-418-1777.

Sources & References

All compatibility ratings, hazard classifications, and chemical identifiers on this page are sourced from authoritative third-party publications. Verify against the original references before final specification.

  1. PubChem Compound Database — entry for Calcium Carbonate (CID 10112, CAS 471-34-1). pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Library of Medicine / NCBI. Canonical chemical-identity reference.
  2. Snyder Industries Chemical Resistance Recommendations — system-of-construction guidance for polyethylene chemical-storage tanks at industrial ASTM 1.9 SG design rating. SNY-3041 Chemical Resistance Chart. Snyder Industries, current edition. Resin + fitting + gasket + bolt MOC matrix.
  3. Equistar Technical Tip — Chemical Resistance of Polyethylene — LDPE / MDPE / HDPE rating chart by concentration and temperature, distributed by Enduraplas. enduraplas.com (PDF). Equistar polyethylene resin chemical-resistance data, distributed via Enduraplas.
  4. NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response. nfpa.org. NFPA 704 'fire diamond' health/flammability/instability/special-hazard rating system (0–4 scale).
  5. UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), current revision. unece.org/transport/ghs. GHS pictograms, signal words, and H-statement codes referenced in this guide.
  6. ASTM D1998 — Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks, current edition. astm.org. Cited as the design-specific-gravity standard (typically 1.9 SG) for industrial chemical-service polyethylene tanks.
  7. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards — occupational exposure limits, PPE, and IDLH data for Calcium Carbonate. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.

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