The properties of sulfuric acid dictate the design, fabrication and operation of storage facilities, as well as how sulfuric acid is handled. Its corrosive, reactive nature, strong affinity for water and high specific gravity are three major considerations. Before the construction of a storage or handling system, advice must be obtained from a competent engineering department or consultant and codes and regulations must be recognized.
At each point where sulfuric acid is handled, there must be ready access to safety showers and eye wash stations. There must be a minimum of 15 minutes of warm water at a high enough volume to drench the user. Stations must be equipped with an automatic alarm system designed to summon help from adjacent areas. Safety showers must be supplied with 20 to 30 degree C tempered water to meet OSHA standards (min. 30 gpm flow), be within 50 feet of an unloading area, and be "weatherized" (freeze protected).
The safe handling of sulfuric acid from tank trucks and tank cars by the application of air pressure or by gravity requires careful attention to proper procedures and should be conducted by trained personnel wearing proper protective clothing.
Smoking or other sources of ignition should not be permitted near tank cars or trucks, whether full or empty. Tank cars and trucks should be accurately spotted at the unloading line. For safety reasons, it is recommended that at least two persons be present during unloading.
The hygroscopic nature of sulfuric acid means that any moisture entering a tank will be absorbed and, over time, will create a "weak acid" top layer which will be more corrosive than the concentrated acid resulting in a corrosion problem. If the storage tank content is not turned over frequently, this corrosive layer will result in corrosion rings on the inside of the tank, which will decrease the life of the tank or could actually result in a leak if allowed to continue.
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