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May 23,2023

Are plastic fuel tanks better than metal fuel tanks?

Water is a resource that is essential for industrial processes and household requirements. Be it an industrial setup or a residential household, water storage tanks are a common and necessary feature without which no industry or house can function. Since water tanks are so vital, it is important to select the right kind of storage tank that will ensure the purity of water for all domestic and industrial purposes. Storage tanks are usually available in two versions, steel tank, and plastic tank.

If you are someone who is confused about whether to buy a steel water tank or a plastic one, then you're in the right place because, in this blog, we will be making a detailed comparison of plastic and steel tanks. So keep reading further to make the correct choice.

Steel Storage Tank Benefits

Steel tanks are popular in many areas of the industrial sector. Primarily steel tanks are forged from two types of steel, namely stainless steel and mild steel. Steel tanks have numerous benefits, such as

Durability and Strength

Steel tanks are known for being tough and withstanding all types of weather conditions. They are more resistant to UV radiation and do not get damaged by the sun's rays. Steel tanks are made from a type of steel that is resistant to rust internally and externally. Therefore these tanks have a long usage life. Additionally, steel tanks can be repaired in case they get damaged. In most cases of damage, you will not need to replace the whole tank. Plastic tanks are not as robust and need to be replaced if they get damaged.

Customized Design and Capacity

Industries that require storage tank designs that fit their particular needs opt for steel tanks, as the design can be customized and molded accordingly. Many features can be added during the molding process, such as inlets and spaces for valves. Plastic tanks are not made to order and come in standard sizes.

Non-Toxic and Hygienic

Whether it is storing water or any other substance, steel tanks are known to provide a germ-free atmosphere. Steel tanks are not susceptible to bacterial growth, which means that they remain largely free from algae growth. This characteristic makes them popular in the industrial processes of the food industry. Moreover, even in domestic areas that involve the storage of drinking water, steel containers are preferred as they are more hygienic and preserve the purity of water.

Secure and Risk-Free

If liquids of significant value are being stored, such as oil, then steel storage tanks are the preferred option because a steel fuel tank is more difficult to pierce or cut through, and this provides better security against theft.

Moreover, in industrial settings involving heavy machinery, steel tanks minimize the risk of shattering or getting damaged by moving machinery, unlike plastic tanks. As steel tanks can be custom molded, they are usually fitted with a sealing design that removes any risk of dust or insects polluting the liquid.

Downsides of Steel Storage Tanks

Expensive

Whether it is for industrial or domestic purposes forging steel tanks is a labor-intensive task. As a raw material, the price of steel is higher than plastic. This price, coupled with labor costs, means that steel tanks are double the price of plastic tanks.

Heavyweight and Difficult to Transport

Moving and transporting a steel tank is a time-consuming process. Replacing a steel tank can become a headache as the storage tanks are quite bulky. Moving the steel tank from one place to another requires machines and also leads to a greater fuel cost.

Lengthy Manufacturing Time

The manufacturing and forging process of the steel storage tank takes a significantly longer time than the manufacturing of a plastic container. In domestic and industrial aspects, time is of essential importance, and a slow industrial pace can hurt the profitability of the business.

Plastic Storage Tanks Benefits

Affordable

If you are looking to save money, then plastic tanks are the ideal choice for you. As a raw material, plastic is easy to manufacture and much cheaper than steel. The labor cost is also significantly less as most of the storage tanks are made using an automated molding process called roto molding. Unlike plastic tanks,

steel tanks involve manual welding, which increases labor charges.

Excellent for Storing Chemicals

Plastic storage tanks are widely used in a wide range of industries, such as the pharmaceutical, pesticide, and chemical industries, for storage of chemical solvents, acids, and alkalis. Steel tanks are unsuitable for chemical storage as they get corroded. This is a significant advantage that plastic tanks have over steel tanks.

Lightweight and Portable

Compared to steel tanks, plastic tanks can be transported comparatively easily. This means a lesser transportation cost. Being significantly lighter, they are easy to replace also and can be easily attached and detached.

Speedy Manufacturing Process

As opposed to steel tanks that require welding and requires manual labor, molding plastic tanks is a relatively fast process. Plastic tanks are manufactured by roto-molding, which involves a machine-operated mold in which soft plastic is poured into the rotating mold to shape the tank.

Downsides of Plastic Storage Tanks

Susceptible To Damage from UV Radiation

Plastic containers are unable to withstand extended exposure to UV rays and can get damaged from them. This is especially true for storage tanks made from low-grade plastics. UV radiation can cause such tanks to crack, bulge and lose their shape. But high-quality plastics do not suffer from this problem.

Customized Design is Not Possible

For people who need a special-purpose design to fit the needs of a particular industry, plastic storage tanks are not a viable choice, as the molding techniques used in manufacturing plastic tanks limit the design features and capacity to standard sizes and designs. So if you are thinking of installing a sealing mechanism or any other design features, then it can only be accomplished in steel tanks.

Choosing between a plastic and steel tank depends greatly on the intended application. Having said that, if you are looking for value for money and are not limited by specific industrial design requirements, then it is better to opt for a top-quality plastic storage tank. They have many versatile uses and can store a variety of liquids and chemicals, and are much easier and cost-effective to replace. However, if you have specific design requirements and want to go with a really long-lasting solution, steel tanks are the way to go.

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The Ultimate Guide About Semi-Trailer Spare Tire Racks

Do you need a spare tire rack for your semi-truck? If so, you're in luck because we've got the perfect guide for you. In this blog post, we'll tell you everything you need to know about semi-trailer spare tire racks, from the different types available to the best ways to install one. If you're ever in need of a spare tire, you'll want to make sure you have a semi-trailer spare tire rack handy. This helpful piece of equipment can come in handy when you need to replace a tire on your truck, van, or SUV and can save you time and money. Things to Consider When Buying a Semi-Trailer Spare Tire Rack When choosing a semi-trailer spare tire rack, there are a few things that you should be aware of. Some of these include: The space inside your vehicle. Racks need to be able to fit within the dimensions of your car – so make sure that you know exactly how much space is available! How easy it is to use the rack. Make sure that the racks are easy to access and operate – especially if you will be using them on a regular basis! – The price and quality of the rack. Make sure to compare prices between different brands and models to find the best one for you! How to Choose the Right Semi-Trailer Spare Tire Rack for Your Needs? When choosing a semi-trailer spare tire rack, it's important to consider your needs. Some things that you may want to consider include the following: The type of trailer hitch that you have. Most racks attach directly to the trailer hitch on your truck – so make sure that this is the type of hitch you have! The size and weight of your vehicle. Racks need to be strong enough to support the weight of the tires that they are holding, as well as your vehicle itself. Be sure to choose a rack that fits both dimensions of your car accurately! How Do They Work? A semi-trailer spare tire rack consists of a series of hooks that attach to the trailer hitch on your truck. When you need to replace a tire, you can simply unhook the spare tire rack from the hitch and pull it over to the vehicle. Then, you can remove the old tire and put in the new one. Why Are They So Important? A semi-trailer spare tire rack is important for a few reasons. First, it can save you time and money. If you need to replace a tire on your truck, van, or SUV and don't have the space to do it inside the vehicle, a semi-trailer spare tire rack can be a great option. In addition, this piece of equipment can come in handy when you're out driving and need to replace one of your tires quickly – without having to stop the car and remove the wheel! What Are The Benefits of Using a Semi-Trailer Spare Tire Rack? There are many benefits to using a semi-trailer spare tire rack. Some of the main reasons why people choose to use them include: Saving time and money. A semi-trailer spare tire rack can be a great option for those times when you need to replace a tire but don't have the space inside your vehicle. This equipment can help you quickly remove and replace your tires without having to stop the car or take off your wheel! Having more flexibility. Not all vehicles have spaces inside them that allow for easy access to the spare tire. If you don't have the space to remove and replace a tire using traditional methods, a semi-trailer spare tire rack can be a great option as it attaches to the trailer hitch on your truck. This means that you can use this piece of equipment with any vehicle! Being prepared for emergencies. Having a semi-trailer spare tire rack in your trunk can help you be more prepared for emergencies. Imagine being stranded on the side of the road with no way to fix your car – without knowing how to do it from inside your vehicle! With a semi-trailer spare tire rack, you can remove and replace your tires without any problem – making roadside repairs much easier!  

How to Prevent Typical Shaft Sleeve Issues

Shaft sleeves are cylindrical metal pipes their manufacturers have developed to safeguard pump shafts from wear, corrosion, and erosion at essential points like the stuffing box. The main shaft sleeve is a worn part, like a car’s brake pads, and is developed to be more cost and time effective to replace than the pipe itself, such as the whole braking system. One of the typical issues people face as far as shaft sleeves are concerned while inspecting them is that untidy seal water has cut the shaft sleeves in half, leading to leakage. Temporarily people tightened the shaft sleeve and moved it in an inward direction. Nevertheless, this resulted in a secondary wear sequence and failed to stop the leakage. A second tightening averted the sleeve from revolving and resulted in the developing of a horizontal wear pattern in a single location. At this point, people must realize that they could not repair that shaft sleeve. If the wear patterns have already developed on the shaft sleeve, moving it would just worsen the wear and result in the development of new wear sequences to establish in the region relative to its genuine cause. To better comprehend this, people should think of contaminated and slurry-sealing water such as liquid sandpaper. Both slurry and polluted water can be highly abrasive and corrosive. The movement of the shaft sleeve will relocate the groove and begin the generation of another groove. Tightening the gland compression of the packing decreases the sealing water’s cooling impact; over-tightening it would worsen issues and result in a part failure. The Solution  To avert failure from happening, people could take a few measures to solve and detect problems faced by the shaft sleeve before it suffers from wear and tear. People should make this diagnosis a component of their regular pump maintenance to circumvent early sleeve replacement. The first measure mechanical professionals must take is to examine the sealing water technology for adequate pressure, flow, and quality. Shaft sleeve makers recommend tidying sealing water at continued pressure of ten pounds per square inch above the pump’s discharge pressure. The higher-pressure shutting water would avert the pumped medium from weeping back inside the stuffing box, thus mitigating the wear of shaft sleeves. If the pressure and flow are within specifications, mechanical professionals must check the shutting water for corrosive qualities or/and abrasive particulates. Manufacturers must design the shaft sealing system and apply it according to the pump’s parameters. If people have examined the system and their examination has helped them know that the shaft sleeve has worn out beyond leaking or fixing, they should replace it. Luckily, shaft sleeve makers make shaft sleeves more cost and time-efficient to replace than the whole shaft, making their replacement a “no brainer” as far as their fixing time and cost are concerned. Manufacturers make shaft sleeves with various substances to fight corrosion and wear. As replacing the shaft sleeve is less costly and more straightforward than replacing the whole shaft, the procedure could interfere with and cut down the pace of the entire production. Thus, it is necessary to exercise excellent maintenance practices to add to the life of a shaft sleeve. People can do this by comprehending what leads to shaft wear and knowing their specific pump specifications related to sealing water and flow pressure. How to Avert Failures Due to Shaft Damage Imbalanced Parts As far as impellers are concerned, the imbalanced rotor or impeller can lead to the breaking of the shaft. An unbalanced shaft can result in significant issues for a shaft in what is called a shaft whip. An unbalanced impeller will develop a shaft whip while operating. The impact is the same as if the shaft was deflected or/and bent, although the shaft will measure straight if people checked the shaft and stopped the pump. The amount of bending cycles inside a given duration decreases, but the displacement’s amplitude(strain) continues to fall in the same range as the higher speed factors because of imbalance. Summing up, an imbalanced impeller could result in a shaft’s deformation, which will result in the pump’s lesser efficiency and requirement for a new shaft. Besides the inappropriate installation of an impeller, an inappropriately installed packaging seal could also badly harm a shaft. The ideal way to avert impeller imbalances is to appropriately install the impeller and consider the producer’s specifications otherwise. Flow Interruption One of the other factors responsible for damaging the pump’s shaft is the interruption of fluid flow to the pump. Interruption to water flow could impact the impeller and break the pump shaft and tear away the bearings of the shaft. Another problem regarding an interruption of fluid flow is called hydraulic shock. Hydraulic forces can cause serious damage. For instance, whenever a check valve gets closed. This interrupts the flow of liquid, which results in a massive shock wave. This shock wave travels back and reverses flow downstream. Whenever the shock wave crashes with a pump, the shaft can break or bend instantly or over the passage of time. In order to ensure that the flow does not get interrupted in pumps, it is advisable to apply the appropriate impeller and observe that the clearance level is proper. Else, if absolutely needed, a surge tank mounted on a pumping system can play a key role in stopping interruptions by averting pumping surges. Excessive Vibrations A major cause of a broken shaft is because of excessive vibrations. Sometimes, pump bearings start to wear, permitting the lateral movement of the shaft, making the shaft flex and finally fail. The vibration harmonics also place additional stress on the pump shaft. Obviously, the shaft might not be the just component broken, for extreme vibrations could also harm the mechanical sealing and result in leakages. The ideal practice to avert extreme is by appropriate analysis of vibration on installation, followed by examining vibrations whenever experts perform examinations on a pump. Ideally, experts must monitor a pump every day.

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