Glossary of Technical Terms Used in Environmental Health & Safety: age tank

age tank

The Age Tank: A Vital Component in Environmental Management

In the world of environmental management, precision and consistency are paramount. Whether it's treating wastewater, controlling pH levels in a pool, or applying fertilizers to farmland, the success of these processes often relies on accurate chemical dosing. This is where the age tank, also known as a day tank, plays a crucial role.

What is an Age Tank?

An age tank is essentially a storage vessel designed to hold a chemical solution of known concentration. This solution is then fed to a chemical feeder, which dispenses it into the target system at a controlled rate.

Why Use an Age Tank?

The use of an age tank provides several key advantages:

  • Consistent Dosing: An age tank ensures that the chemical solution being fed to the system is consistent in its concentration. This is important for maintaining accurate and predictable chemical treatment.
  • Buffer Against Fluctuations: An age tank acts as a buffer, minimizing the impact of fluctuations in the chemical feed rate or the concentration of the original stock solution. This helps ensure smooth and stable operation of the process.
  • Safety: An age tank provides a safe and controlled environment for storing and handling chemicals. It often includes features like overflow protection and leak detection systems to prevent spills and accidents.

How it Works

An age tank typically operates in conjunction with a chemical feeder. The chemical solution is first prepared and stored in a separate holding tank, often with a higher concentration than needed for the final application. This concentrated solution is then transferred to the age tank, where it is diluted to the desired working concentration. The chemical feeder then draws the solution from the age tank and dispenses it into the target system at a predetermined rate.

Types of Age Tanks

Age tanks come in various sizes and materials, depending on the specific application and the chemical being stored. Common materials include stainless steel, fiberglass, and polyethylene. They can be equipped with features such as:

  • Mixing Systems: To ensure uniform concentration throughout the tank.
  • Level Sensors: To monitor the solution level and trigger refilling when necessary.
  • Temperature Control: For applications where temperature stability is crucial.

Conclusion

The age tank is an indispensable component in many environmental management systems, playing a vital role in ensuring accurate and consistent chemical dosing. By providing a safe, buffered, and controlled environment for chemical storage and delivery, it helps optimize processes, minimize risks, and achieve desired environmental outcomes.


Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: The Age Tank

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the primary function of an age tank in environmental management? (a) To store and dilute chemical solutions for consistent dosing. (b) To monitor and control the pH of a system. (c) To treat wastewater and remove contaminants. (d) To apply fertilizers to farmland.

Answer

(a) To store and dilute chemical solutions for consistent dosing.

2. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using an age tank? (a) Consistent dosing of chemicals. (b) Reduced risk of chemical spills and accidents. (c) Elimination of all fluctuations in chemical concentration. (d) Improved overall efficiency of the chemical treatment process.

Answer

(c) Elimination of all fluctuations in chemical concentration.

3. What is the typical role of a chemical feeder in relation to an age tank? (a) To prepare the concentrated chemical solution. (b) To monitor and control the temperature of the age tank. (c) To draw the diluted chemical solution from the age tank and dispense it into the target system. (d) To ensure the age tank is refilled when necessary.

Answer

(c) To draw the diluted chemical solution from the age tank and dispense it into the target system.

4. Which of these is a common material used for constructing age tanks? (a) Wood (b) Concrete (c) Stainless steel (d) Glass

Answer

(c) Stainless steel

5. What is the purpose of a mixing system in an age tank? (a) To increase the concentration of the chemical solution. (b) To prevent the chemical solution from freezing. (c) To ensure the chemical solution is uniformly distributed throughout the tank. (d) To monitor the level of the chemical solution in the tank.

Answer

(c) To ensure the chemical solution is uniformly distributed throughout the tank.

Exercise: Designing an Age Tank

Problem: You are tasked with designing an age tank for a wastewater treatment plant. The plant requires a consistent dose of chlorine solution to disinfect the treated water. The chlorine solution will be prepared at a high concentration and then diluted in the age tank to a working concentration of 100 ppm. The age tank should have a capacity of 500 gallons.

Tasks:

  1. Identify the necessary components for your age tank design, including the type of material, mixing system, level sensors, and any other features you deem necessary.
  2. Sketch a simple diagram of your age tank design, labeling the key components.
  3. Explain your rationale for the design choices you have made.

Bonus: Calculate the volume of concentrated chlorine solution needed to fill the age tank to the desired working concentration.

Exercice Correction

**Design Considerations:** * **Materials:** Stainless steel is a suitable material for the age tank due to its resistance to corrosion from chlorine solutions. * **Mixing System:** A mechanical agitator or air diffuser can be used to ensure uniform mixing of the chlorine solution. * **Level Sensors:** Float switches or ultrasonic sensors can be used to monitor the solution level and trigger refilling when necessary. * **Overflow Protection:** An overflow pipe should be included to prevent the tank from overfilling. * **Ventilation:** Adequate ventilation is necessary to prevent the buildup of chlorine gas. **Diagram:** (A simple sketch of the age tank, including the identified components, should be provided.) **Rationale:** * Stainless steel is chosen to resist corrosion from the chlorine solution. * A mixing system ensures uniform concentration throughout the tank. * Level sensors ensure the tank doesn't run dry or overflow. * Overflow protection prevents spills and accidents. * Ventilation helps maintain safe working conditions by preventing chlorine gas buildup. **Bonus Calculation:** * Assuming a concentrated chlorine solution of 10,000 ppm, and a desired working concentration of 100 ppm in the 500-gallon age tank, the volume of concentrated solution needed can be calculated using the following formula: Volume of concentrated solution = (Desired concentration x Total volume) / Concentrated solution concentration Volume of concentrated solution = (100 ppm x 500 gallons) / 10,000 ppm **Volume of concentrated solution = 5 gallons**


Books

  • Water Treatment Plant Design: By C.G. Tchobanoglous, F.L. Burton, and H.D. Stensel - This comprehensive text covers all aspects of water treatment, including chemical dosing and the use of age tanks.
  • Environmental Engineering: A Global Text: By C.G. Tchobanoglous, F.L. Burton, and H.D. Stensel - A similar text to the previous one, focusing on environmental engineering principles, including chemical handling and storage.
  • Wastewater Engineering: Treatment, Disposal, and Reuse: By M.N. Metcalfe and E.A. Eddy - This book discusses wastewater treatment systems, where age tanks are commonly used for chemical feeding.

Articles

  • "Design and Operation of Chemical Feed Systems for Water Treatment Plants" by American Water Works Association - This technical article provides detailed information on chemical feed systems, including the importance of age tanks.
  • "The Role of Age Tanks in Industrial Wastewater Treatment" by [Author Name] - This article focuses on the specific application of age tanks in industrial settings, discussing their benefits and design considerations.
  • "Chemical Storage and Handling in Environmental Management" by [Author Name] - This article explores the broader context of chemical storage and handling, highlighting the importance of safety and regulatory compliance.

Online Resources

  • "Age Tank Systems" by [Company Name] - Many companies specializing in water treatment and environmental engineering have resources dedicated to age tanks, including technical specifications and case studies.
  • "Chemical Feed System Design and Selection" by [Company Name] - Online resources from chemical feed system manufacturers provide information on the various components of these systems, including age tanks.
  • "Age Tank Calculation Guide" by [Author Name] - Some online resources offer calculators and guides for sizing and selecting appropriate age tanks based on specific application requirements.

Search Tips

  • Use specific keywords like "age tank," "day tank," "chemical feed system," "water treatment," "wastewater treatment," "industrial wastewater," "chemical storage," and "environmental management."
  • Combine keywords with specific applications, like "age tank for swimming pool" or "age tank for irrigation."
  • Explore related terms like "chemical feeder," "dosing pump," "solution tank," and "dilution tank."
  • Use advanced search operators like quotation marks (" ") to find exact phrases and minus signs (-) to exclude irrelevant results.
Similar Terms
Environmental Health & Safety
Water Purification
Resource Management
Waste Management
Air Quality Management
Most Viewed

Comments


No Comments
POST COMMENT
captcha
Back