Ultimately, your container selection will depend on the type (and quantity) of liquid you need to move and how often you plan to move it. Need to move paint resins to a long-term client? Stainless steel tote tanks are the way to go. But for a one-time transport of agricultural pesticides, poly tanks might be the better fit. The IBC shipping pros at Metano can help you find the right container in the correct size for your application.
Traditional methods of moving and storing liquids rely on standard 55-gallon round drums, an antiquated practice that has been proven to be less efficient and not nearly as cost effective as using stainless steel IBC tote tanks, or intermediate bulk contains (IBCs). With their ability to reduce cost via their decades of useful life, provide valuable practical storage capacities, and lower liabilities, IBCs are the modern way to ship liquids in a newer, better way.
Properly installing the lid on a stainless steel tote tank is crucial to ensuring the tote functions properly and safely. It is important when the stainless steel IBC leaves the shipper’s facility that the lid is installed correctly in order to comply with The Department of Transportation title 49 CFR 178.2. There are two main components to installing the lid on a tote. First the gasket must be installed properly, and then the clamp ring must be tightened to 30 ft-lbs to comply with UN/DOT specifications.
For most businesses using stainless steel Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), a standard tote configuration will suit their needs. Standard totes are the most cost effective and have the shortest lead times. Occasionally, a standard tote design does not meet the requirements of a specific application, and a custom IBC must be fabricated. Custom built IBCs can be configured in many different ways. Some of the more common customization options include various sanitary fittings, level indicators, and additional fittings in the tank top.
When shipping regulated products, as determined by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT), it is necessary to select a container that is certified to transport regulated materials. A common solution is to ship regulated products using stainless steel tote tanks. Stainless steel totes are compatible with many different types of products, and are often designed to be compliant with DOT requirements. Three key features of UN/DOT certified IBCs are totes with current test dates, a fusible vent installed in the top, and a secondary closure on the outlet.
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBCs) are UN/DOT certified tanks that are available in a variety of sizes and are used for transporting and storing liquids for numerous industries. Before purchasing an IBC, a number of factors need to be considered to determine what the ideal tote size will be for your operation. It’s important to carefully select the optimal tote capacity so that space is efficiently utilized when storing and shipping liquids.
Poly Composite IBCs are an alternative to using drums when transporting liquids. There are a number of advantages to using poly composite IBCs, including low cost, no return freight and ready availability. The large size and low cost make these intermediate bulk containers a very attractive option for companies looking for an efficient and cost effective method to ship liquids.
Industry leaders know that stainless steel IBCs (IBCs) are an efficient and cost effective option for the bulk storage and transportation of liquids. Many companies have already reduced costs by switching from drums to IBCs. Additional value can be gained by choosing qualified reconditioned stainless steel IBCs when available. Reconditioned IBCs offer all the advantages of new tote tanks, but with a significantly reduced cost.