Tanks are one of the most commonly used products for storing water, various liquids, and fluids. Tanks are made in various types of plastic such as polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as steel and aluminum, usually without any connections or accessories. Nowadays, manufacturers reinforce them to optimize their use by adding connections for accessories and other functional equipment. Among the most important tank accessories are inlet and outlet pipes, floats or floaters for pressure control and flow rate monitoring, various fittings, and more. This article introduces the most common types of tank accessories. It is recommended to follow the article to the end.
What are tank accessories?
As mentioned above, most plastic tanks allow for the attachment of accessories and drilling. In fact, without connecting these accessories, tanks cannot be used effectively. Tank fittings are available in different materials and designs, and their prices are determined by their quality and performance. Therefore, various factors affect the sale of tank-related accessories.
Types of tank accessory fittings
Tank accessory fittings come in various designs and types. This section introduces some of the most common ones.
Inlet and Outlet Pipes for Tanks
One of the most commonly used tank accessories are the branches connected to the tank’s inlets and outlets. These pipes are used to transport materials inside the tank. Inlet and outlet pipes are made of various materials such as cast iron, plastic, galvanized steel, copper, or stainless steel. Polyethylene pipes and polypropylene pipes are categorized under plastic pipes. Installation of inlet and outlet pipes requires assistance from a specialized individual.
Types of Fittings
Fittings are also among the essential tank accessories. It can be said that fittings must be installed on most tanks. Fittings are produced in four types according to the type of application and customer requirements, which are:
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- Steel Fittings: One type of fitting is made of steel. Steel fittings are used in tanks containing acidic substances due to their specific properties. This type of fitting is more expensive compared to others.
- Brass Fittings: Brass fittings are among the most commonly used fittings. Brass fittings are mainly used in polyethylene tanks for water storage. Important features of these fittings include their longevity and high resistance.
- UPVC Fittings: These fittings, like steel fittings, are used in tanks containing acidic substances. One of the most important characteristics of UPVC fittings is their high durability.
- Polyethylene Fittings: As the name suggests, these fittings are made of polyethylene. When installing these fittings, waterproofing is required, which is achieved using polyethylene welding. During polyethylene welding, extreme caution and precision are necessary, so it’s advisable to seek assistance from a skilled individual.
Manhole
Manholes are another type of tank accessory used as tank lids. The purpose of a manhole is to provide better and quicker access to the fluids inside the tank. Manhole installation is carried out by welding operations on the tank. An important feature of manholes is their ability to seal in extremely high and low temperatures.
Floaters or Floats
Flanged Connections
Flanged connections are another type of tank accessory that are produced according to conditions, positioning within the tank, and customer preferences. The purpose of flanged connections is to connect pipes to other accessories, including shock absorbers. In addition to using these types of connections, welding can also be used. The advantage of using flanged connections lies in the ease of opening bolts and nuts when separating two pieces from each other. Whereas in the welding method, cutting is required to separate the pieces.
Other Tank Accessories
If we were to introduce all the necessary tank accessories in this article, it would be very time-consuming. In the above sections, the most important and practical ones have been introduced, and brief descriptions have been provided. Below is a list of some more of these accessories:
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- Anti-icing air valves (fire)
- Tank breathing valve
- Fire-resistant breathing valve
- Relief valve and vacuum relief valve
- Foam generator and tank flame arrestor
- Stainless steel ball float valve
- Internal floating roof
- Helical stairs
- Caged ladder with resting platform
- Support systems
- Magnetic fluid level gauge
Sealing connections and tank accessories
After connecting the tank accessories to the tanks, they must be waterproofed before use. Even if these accessories are waterproofed during production, after installation and wrenching, they may lose their waterproofing and require resealing. When sealing these connections, make sure to tighten them firmly at the end of the process. During sealing, screws should not be tightened too tightly, as they may strip.
Conclusion
Tanks are one of the most widely used products in various industries. As you know, tanks are used for storing various liquids and fluids. These tanks are devoid of any accessories and additional equipment during production. Therefore, to use tanks, they must be equipped with tank accessories. The types of tank accessories usable in each tank have specific uses and efficiencies. In this article, some of the most important and practical tank accessories, including inlet and outlet branches, fittings, manholes, floaters, and flanged connections, have been discussed.