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Fumaric Acid Storage — trans-Butenedioic Acid Tank Selection

Storing Fumaric Acid? Start Here

Fumaric acid is a versatile ingredient used in food preservation, animal feed, and polymer resins. If you're handling this white crystalline acid, you need to know how to store it safely. While it's not very soluble in water, it packs a punch as a feed acidifier and is a key player in unsaturated polyester resin production. Let's explore the best ways to store fumaric acid, whether you're working with it in solid form or as a solution.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, you can store fumaric acid in polyethylene tanks. Both HDPE and XLPE are suitable for storing solid fumaric acid and its aqueous solutions. These materials meet food-grade standards, making them safe for food and technical-grade storage.

Key Issue: Low Solubility

Fumaric acid's low water solubility means it's typically handled as a solid. When solutions are necessary, they're usually prepared in heated tanks at low concentrations (1-3%). This ensures the acid dissolves properly without reaching saturation.

The safety that actually matters

  • Use food-grade materials for storage to prevent contamination.
  • Handle with care to avoid eye irritation; safety goggles are recommended.
  • Ensure proper ventilation to protect aquatic life from potential harm.

Common questions

Can I use stainless steel for storing fumaric acid?
Yes, 316L stainless steel is preferred for high-purity applications, but 304 stainless is also acceptable.
What gasket material should I use?
EPDM is the standard choice for food-grade applications, while Viton is suitable for higher temperatures.
Is fumaric acid regulated for transport?
No, fumaric acid is not regulated for ground or marine transport, making logistics simpler.

Fumaric Acid storage tanks from OneSource

For fumaric acid 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.

Storing a corrosive acid? Material of construction is everything.

Acids attack the wrong metals fast. These vendor-neutral guides help you match resin, liner, and containment to your acid and concentration.

Explore: FRP & Fiberglass Tanks  ·  Double Wall Tanks  ·  Chemical Compatibility

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 Fumaric Acid (CID 444972, CAS 110-17-8). 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 Fumaric Acid. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.