Hydrofluosilicic Acid Storage — Municipal Water Fluoridation Tank

Storing Hydrofluosilicic Acid? Start Here

Hydrofluosilicic acid is widely used for fluoridating municipal drinking water. It's a powerful and corrosive chemical, requiring careful handling and storage. If you're considering storing this acid, it's crucial to use the right materials and equipment to ensure safety and longevity.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, you can store hydrofluosilicic acid in a polyethylene tank, but it must be a high-density or cross-linked polyethylene tank with specific upgrades. This includes using Viton gaskets and Hastelloy bolts to withstand the acid's corrosive nature. Standard materials like EPDM gaskets and 316 stainless steel bolts are not suitable and will fail quickly.

Beware of Fumes

Hydrofluosilicic acid releases hazardous fumes, especially during unloading. These fumes can quickly exceed safe levels in enclosed spaces. It's essential to have an active fume scrubbing system in place to capture and neutralize these emissions effectively.

The safety that actually matters

• Use Viton gaskets, not EPDM, to prevent rapid gasket failure.
• Equip tanks with Hastelloy bolts to avoid corrosion and leaks.
• Ensure proper fume scrubbing systems are installed and maintained.
• Provide secondary containment with fluoride-resistant materials.

Common questions

Why can't I use EPDM gaskets?

EPDM gaskets are attacked by fluoride ions, leading to quick failure. Use Viton gaskets instead.

What happens if I use 316 stainless steel bolts?

316 stainless steel will pit and fail in fluoride service. Hastelloy is the recommended material.

Do I need a fume scrubber?

Yes, a fume scrubber is essential to manage hazardous HF fumes released by the acid.