Quoting an industrial tank shouldn't be a hasty process. Whether it's for storing, mixing, heating, or cooling a product, every detail counts. Selecting the right design, material, and technical specifications is essential to ensuring efficient, safe, and cost-effective operation. In this article, Falco shares five key questions you should answer before requesting a quote.
The first step is to define what the tank will do: Will it store raw materials? Will it be involved in the production process? Will it be used for CIP cleaning or fermentation? Each use requires a different design. For example, a storage tank may be simpler than one for mixing with agitation or thermal control.
The nature of the product determines the type of steel, internal finishes, valves, coatings, and fittings. Acidic, alkaline, viscous, or contamination-sensitive products require specific materials, such as 316L stainless steel or polished sanitary coatings.
Temperature, pressure, agitation level, and installation type (indoor or outdoor) influence structural design. A tank operating at positive pressure will require ASME certification, while one operating under vacuum may require additional reinforcement.
Depending on the industry, your tank may be subject to regulations such as ASME , API , BPE , or FDA requirements in the case of food and pharmaceuticals. Defining this from the outset allows design and manufacturing to align with regulatory requirements from the ground up.
Although these are often adjusted in the final design, having a rough idea of the capacity, shape (cylindrical, vertical, horizontal), and connections (flanges, valves, drains, inlets) helps create a more accurate and realistic quote.
Answering these five questions before quoting an industrial tank will prevent errors, cost overruns, and delays in your project. At Falco Latin America , we help you properly define every detail so your equipment operates efficiently and compliantly from day one.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII. ASME, 2023.
API Standard 650. Welded Tanks for Oil Storage. American Petroleum Institute, 2020.
BPE Standard. Bioprocessing Equipment Standards. ASME, 2021.
Rossini, F. et al. (2021). Design of Pressure Vessels for Food and Pharma Applications. Journal of Process Engineering, 59(4), 221-230.