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Sodium Hexametaphosphate Storage — SHMP Water Treatment + Food Tank

Storing Sodium Hexametaphosphate? Start Here

Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a versatile chemical commonly used in water treatment, food processing, and industrial applications. Known for its ability to prevent scale and corrosion, it's often found in municipal water systems and cooling towers. When storing SHMP, it's typically dissolved in water to a concentration of 25-40% for easy dosing.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, you can store SHMP in polyethylene tanks. It is compatible with HDPE, XLPE, and other common polyolefins, making these materials a safe choice for storage.

Watch out for crystallization

One key issue with SHMP is that solutions over 30% can crystallize below 32°F. If you're storing it in a cold climate, consider using heat tracing to prevent this from happening.

The safety that actually matters

  • Ensure tanks are compatible with SHMP to prevent leaks.
  • Monitor temperature to avoid crystallization in cold weather.
  • Follow dosing guidelines to maintain system efficiency.

Common questions

What type of gasket should I use?
Both EPDM and Viton gaskets are acceptable for SHMP solutions.
Is SHMP safe for food applications?
Yes, SHMP is GRAS certified and used in food processing as an additive.
Can SHMP be used in boiler systems?
Yes, it can be used as a scale inhibitor in low-to-medium pressure boilers.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate storage tanks from OneSource

For sodium hexametaphosphate 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 Sodium Hexametaphosphate (CID 24968, CAS 98-89-5). 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 Sodium Hexametaphosphate. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.

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