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Calcium Oxide Storage — CaO Quicklime Silo + Slaker Tank

Storing Calcium Oxide? Start Here

Calcium oxide, often called quicklime, is a white or off-white solid that comes in lumps or pebbles. It's commonly used in industries like steelmaking and water treatment. When storing calcium oxide, it's crucial to keep it dry. If it contacts water, it reacts strongly, producing heat and forming calcium hydroxide, which is caustic. This reaction can cause damage to storage materials and create safety hazards.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

No, calcium oxide should not be stored in a polyethylene tank. The risk of moisture exposure is too high, which can lead to the exothermic slaking reaction that damages the tank. Instead, use carbon steel or stainless steel for dry storage.

Key Issue: Moisture Exposure

The biggest concern when storing calcium oxide is keeping it dry. Even slight humidity can trigger a reaction, generating heat and potentially damaging storage materials. Ensure your storage area is climate-controlled to prevent moisture intrusion.

The safety that actually matters

  • Keep calcium oxide dry to prevent dangerous reactions.
  • Use appropriate materials like carbon steel for storage.
  • Train staff on handling procedures to ensure safety.

Common questions

Can calcium oxide be stored outside?
No, it must be kept in a dry, climate-controlled environment to prevent moisture exposure.
What happens if calcium oxide gets wet?
It reacts with water, generating heat and forming caustic calcium hydroxide, which can damage storage materials.
What materials are safe for storing calcium oxide?
Carbon steel and stainless steel are recommended for dry storage. Avoid using polymer tanks.

Calcium Oxide storage tanks from OneSource

For calcium oxide 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.

Designing the storage system, not just picking a tank?

Vendor-neutral engineering guides from our custom fabrication team - material of construction, containment, and code, matched to your chemistry.

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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 Oxide (CID 14778, CAS 1305-78-8). 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 Oxide. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.

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