Selecting the Right Tank for Micronutrients - Purdue Agriculture

Selecting the Right Tank for Micronutrients

For more details, please visit tanks in agriculture.

Authors

• Fred Whitford, Director, Purdue Pesticide Programs
• Brad Peas, Sales Representative, AgroChem
• Darrell Oltman, Director of Engineering, Snyder Industries
• John Obermeyer, IPM Specialist, Purdue University
• Kevin Leigh Smith, Continuing Lecturer and Communication Specialist, Purdue Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Basic Challenges Micronutrients Place on Storage Tanks
• Tank Compatibility - Working from the Inside Out
• Tank Design - Emptying Tanks of Settled Product
• Gaskets and Seals - Keeping Product Flowing Instead of Leaking
• Availability and Pricing - Having Enough Storage Capacity
• Tank Height and Diameter - Making Sure Tanks Will Fit the Space
• Installation - Larger Tanks Require Cranes and Forklifts
• Storage Conditions - Preventing Micronutrients from Freezing
• Needed Now or Later - Giving Yourself Time to Order
• Containment - Planning Ahead
• Summing Up the Information
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• Disclaimer

Introduction

Progressive farmers have long been early adopters of new technologies to help them get the most economic return from their crops. Some tremendous strides agricultural producers have made in adopting and modifying production practices include:

• Planting cover crops to protect against soil erosion and build soil organic matter.
• Tiling fields to remove excess water.
• Precision soil sampling to determine lime and nutrient needs.
• Purchasing improved hybrid lines.
• Planting earlier to avoid heat stress during critical crop growth stages.
• Seeding at higher rates to maximize the capture of sunlight and space.
• Splitting fertilizer applications to “feed” plants when needs are greatest.
• Sampling plant tissues to determine nutrient deficiencies.
• Rotating pesticide classes to combat weed, insect, and disease resistance.
• Building grain storage bins to take advantage of market trends.

Not adapting to new conditions or not adopting proven practices means that farmers could leave yields and profits in their fields. On the other hand, adopting unproven practices can be expensive when the cost of the new practice is more than the extra yield adds to the bottom line.

One practice receiving attention today is applying micronutrients. Farmers are asking whether it is worth the additional $5-$15 an acre to apply secondary nutrients and micronutrients like sulfur, boron, copper, zinc, and manganese.

Like any new technology, many of the questions farmers and retailers are asking about micronutrients are being investigated by university and industry scientists. However, it seems that a number of commercial retailers and farmers are convinced they are getting economically significant yield gains from using micronutrients. And micronutrient use is increasing.

My $20,000-Tank Is Ready for the Junk Heap?

Never order a tank to store micronutrients without first doing your homework and asking lots of questions. Your effort might just save you from the need to purchase a second tank to replace one that failed prematurely. Questions you should answer before purchasing any tank include:

• How are the micronutrients formulated?
• Is the tank material compatible with the specific micronutrient(s) you intend to use?
• Is the tank designed to completely remove settled micronutrients?
• Can you prevent micronutrient solutions from freezing?
• What size tank will you need to store enough for the entire season?
• When will you need the tank delivered by?
• How much lead time will crane operators need to install large tanks?
• Will adding micronutrient tanks put you over bulk storage regulations?

With micronutrient use increasing, and with projections that the market will continue to expand, the question arises of which tank material is best suited for storing these products. Micronutrient formulations may be different enough that the tanks and conditions that store urea – ammonium nitrate (28-32% liquid N) may not be suitable for micronutrient fertilizers.

This publication describes important factors you will want to consider when choosing between poly, fiberglass, carbon-steel, and stainless-steel tanks to store micronutrient fertilizers. Using these guidelines will allow you to select a tank type that will meet your needs over the long-term.

For more information, please visit what is a digester in wastewater treatment.

Basic Challenges Micronutrients Place on Storage Tanks

Plant nutrients include macronutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients. Macronutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Secondary nutrients include sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. Micronutrients include zinc, copper, boron, manganese, iron, and others. While we often consider all of these as “fertilizers,” sulfur and micronutrients form a diverse group of chemistries that can interact in various ways with the materials from which storage tanks are made.

Considerations for Choosing a Storage Tank

If you’re in the market for a new storage tank, you’ll probably have a few questions: What is the difference between welded and bolted silos and tanks? What is the significance of a tank’s coating? How long does it usually take to complete a construction project? Should the cost of maintenance be factored in?

Examining important design aspects will help you figure out what you need (and don’t need) in industrial storage tanks and acquire the greatest dry bulk storage vessel for your money.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that dry bulk materials like fly ash, cement, lime, food, chemicals, and minerals all have different storage needs. These criteria will have an impact on the tank’s dimensions, construction materials, design, and coating. To figure out what kind of tank you’ll need, start with a fundamental consideration: the tank’s construction material.

Materials of Construction

What is the size and nature of the material that will be stored? The type and volume of material to be held will typically decide the tank’s construction material. For field welded, factory welded, and bolted tanks, popular construction materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. For modest quantities, plastic, fiberglass, and factory-welded tanks perform well. Field welded steel and concrete tanks may be required for exceptionally large quantities. Steel bolted tanks are adaptable, holding a variety of dry bulk materials and quantities.

Size and Location

Will the tank’s design and construction be constrained by space or height restrictions? Due to the restricted area, the tank may need to be smaller in diameter and taller in height. The tank can be broader in diameter and lower in height if there is unlimited room or areas with height constraints. When appropriately constructed, both tall and narrow as well as short and broad shapes can work effectively to hold a range of materials.

Industrial Use Versus Commercial Storage

What is the frequency with which you fill and empty your silo? Corrugated tanks are a fantastic option for long-term storage that only has to be filled and emptied a few times a year. Bolted tanks, like welded or concrete tanks, can be filled and emptied on a daily basis. Another factor to consider is whether a cone-hopper bottom or a flat bottom is required.

Proper Design

Have you considered doing a flow test? Each substance, whether it’s dry foods, polymers, chemicals, wood products, or minerals, has its own set of needs. Consider the abrasiveness of your product, its bulk density, and, most crucially, its flow requirements. Do you have a free-flowing or non-free-flowing product? Before purchasing a tank, have your product flow tested if you are unfamiliar with its flow characteristics. Flow testing will establish the best construction material, hopper slope, and outlet size for a consistent flow.

Components Installed at the Factory

Would having components fitted at the factory save time if you choose a factory-welded tank? Some manufacturers of factory-welded tanks provide the option of pre-installing client components prior to shipment, saving time and money in the field. Bin activators, gates, valves, feeders, pumps, control panels, fans, sensors, insulation, and the accompanying electrical connections are all examples of factory-installed components.

Think About Expansion or Moving

Will your expanding business need the enlargement or relocation of your storage vessel in the next years? Expansion (thinking higher) is a crucial factor to consider. When the original foundation and bottom section of the first tank are designed with future extensions in mind, expansion is most practicable. Most of the time, vertical enlargement of an existing tank is less expensive than building a new tank.

The Environment

What effect may the tank’s surroundings have? In the construction of a storage tank, wind loads, seismic conditions, and roof loads (such as snow loads) are all crucial factors to consider. Tanks with a larger diameter and shorter height are better suited to places with increased seismic activity and wind loads. In corrosive, coastal, and industrial areas, updated external coating solutions should also be considered.

Coatings – Corrosion Control

What is the best type of coating? Corrosion is the storage tank’s main adversary. As a result, one of the most crucial elements to consider is the coating. However, if you take it a step further, the procedure by which the coating is applied will be the best indicator of the coating’s quality.

So, these were some of the factors to consider for choosing a storage tank. In case you’re looking for the best aboveground storage tanks for all your industrial or commercial needs, GSC Tanks is here to offer you the best services for any type of tanks you might require. Contact us to discuss your requirements of waste water tank dome oof. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.