The customer wanted to be able to transport the tanks horizontally within a purpose built mild steel frame based on an ISO container specification. To facilitate shipping, the empty tanks will be held in the horizontal position via a flanged bolted base and a polypropylene lined cradle.

When configuring how to best support the empty tank within the frame, Niplast and Suretank designers had to take into account transportation loads and acceleration factors. Upon arrival in the Caribbean, both tanks will remain in their steel frames, but lifted into the vertical before being put into use. This required Niplast to consider the axial and circumferential thermal expansion of the tank whilst remaining in the steel frames. 

The tanks were constructed to BS EN 12573. They have a 50°C working temperature, a 20 year design life and each has a capacity of 22800L or 143bbl for bulk liquid storage of either 50% concentration sodium bromide or 15% hydrochloric acid. If required, they can be drained, returned to the horizontal and transported to other locations.

Shane Gilson, general manager, Suretank UK said, “On our initial contact with our customer, the requirement for a poly tank was requested. Suretank had worked with Niplast before and invited them to become involved in the initial stages of the engineering concept.

“It became apparent in this early stage that Adrian Greenwood and his team understood the complex requirements for the offshore industry and our customer. The Niplast team were dedicated and extremely professional in every aspect of this contract, the tanks were of exceptional build quality and have been manufactured to our demanding specification.”