• head image tankblanketing

Tank blanketing

Tank blanketing protects against undesirable chemical reactions

Tank blanketing – for which purpos

Tank blanketing is used in many industrial sectors, for example in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, chemical and petrochemical industry or foodstuffs and beverage production.

Storage tanks often contain media whose contact with atmospheric oxygen (auto-oxidation) or with other gases and/or liquids entails detrimental effects. For example, a chemical reaction may produce an explosive, toxic or corrosive mixture. In the foodstuffs and beverage or pharmaceutical industry the product may be microbially contaminated through substances penetrating into the tank.

To avoid such unwanted processes, the void volume in the tank head space is filled with an inert barrier gas (for example nitrogen). This is only possible with closed containers or storage tanks. For reasons of cost-effectiveness the positive pressure of the barrier gas is kept as low as possible.

When is tank blanketing needed?

Combustible and explosive media

prevents the potential ignition of the medium

Toxic media

the formation of highly polluting toxic gases is avoided

Food and beverage

harmful germs are prevented from getting into the tank

 

How does tank blanketing work?

The tank head space is the remaining empty space between the filling level of the stored product and the tank cover. Applying an inert gas cushion in the millibar range in a controlled manner prevents any contact between the stored product and a highly reactive substance such as oxygen. Inert – i.e. poorly reactive – gases are for example nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2) or noble gases such as argon (Ar).

Temperature changes or filling/extraction of the product may cause the filling level to fluctuate and the inert gas pressure to vary in the tank. This is known as tank breathing in the common technical language.

Consequently, the task of the tank blanketing system is to constantly maintain the inert condition, regardless of what caused the volume change in the gas space. In doing so, self-activated pressure reducing valves and back pressure regulators effectively ensure the control of the gas supply or discharge.



When is tank blanketing needed?

Combustible and explosive media:

Tank blanketing prevents the potential ignition of the medium. The nitrogen supplied into the tank head space reduces the level of oxygen that would cause a fire outbreak to a non-flammable concentration.

Toxic media:

Tank blanketing creates a positive pressure within the tank so that the formation of highly polluting toxic gases is avoided.

Food and beverage:

Tank blanketing creates a positive pressure within the tank so that in the event of leakages the seal gas escapes and harmful germs are prevented from getting into the tank. Thus the product quality is maintained at a constant level.


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Advantages of Mankenberg products

  • Control pressures from 0.002 bar
  • Long operational lifespan
  • Excellent surface quality
  • Corrosion resistant, light weight and compact
  • Exact control
  • Tight valve closure
  • Safe operation with toxic or hazardous media
Product features
  • Various connection possibilities
    (aseptic flanges, ISO clamps, DIN or ANSI flanges, welding ends …)
  • Clompletely made from stainless steel 316
    (1.4404 or better)
  • Large control surface, lever mechanism
  • Leakageline connection and sealed adjusting screw available
  • ATEX-certificated versions available
Typical products
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References
  • Air Liquide
  • BASF
  • Bayer
  • Dow Chemical
  • Merck
  • Nestlé
  • PetroChina
  • Royal Dutch Shell
  • Unilever
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