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n-Butyl Alcohol (n-Butanol) Storage — Aliphatic Primary Alcohol Tank Selection

Storing n-Butyl Alcohol? Start Here

If you're considering storing n-butyl alcohol, you're dealing with a versatile chemical used in making paints, coatings, and plasticizers. It's a colorless liquid with a distinct odor and is flammable, so handling it with care is crucial. Whether you're in water treatment, agriculture, or industrial processing, knowing how to store it safely can save you headaches down the road.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, n-butyl alcohol is compatible with most plastics, including HDPE and polypropylene, which makes poly tanks a viable option for storage. However, ensure the tank fittings and gaskets are also compatible; EPDM gaskets are a cost-effective choice.

Watch Out for Fumes

n-Butyl alcohol can release flammable vapors, especially at higher temperatures. Ensure proper ventilation in storage areas to prevent vapor accumulation, which could lead to a fire hazard.

The safety that actually matters

  • Keep storage areas well-ventilated to manage fumes.
  • Use flame-proof equipment to handle this flammable liquid.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear to avoid skin and eye contact.

Common questions

What type of tank is best for storing n-butyl alcohol?
HDPE rotomolded tanks with polypropylene fittings and EPDM gaskets are cost-effective and compatible.
Is n-butyl alcohol flammable?
Yes, it is flammable and can release vapors that may ignite, so handle it with care.
Can I use stainless steel for storage?
Yes, stainless steel is suitable, especially for high-purity applications.

n-Butyl Alcohol (n-Butanol) storage tanks from OneSource

For n-butyl alcohol (n-butanol) 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.

Flammable solvent? Think recovery, containment, and grounding.

Flammable and volatile solvents add recovery, vapor, and ignition-control questions on top of material choice. Guides from our fabrication team:

Explore: Solvent Recovery  ·  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 N Butyl Alcohol (CID 263, CAS 71-36-3). 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 N Butyl Alcohol. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.

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