Sodium Hypochlorite - Storage: Please Consult Our Safety Data Sheet

DOC-1400-0003
Introduction
Sodium hypochlorite must be stored and disposed of in compliance with relevant laws and
regulations.
Handling of sodium hypochlorite should be accompanied by collective protective measures
(clearly signalled showers and eye baths in the vicinity).
Please consult our safety data sheet.
Storage tank capacity

The tank capacity should be adequate to carry a sufficiently large stock and be able to receive
the total amount of volume from the road tanker. If the consumption of sodium hypochlorite is
less than 50 tonnes per month, the ideal storage capacity should be at least 1,5 x the volume
of the road tanker. This should be suitably adapted if the consumption of sodium hypochlorite
is higher than 50 tonnes per month.
Storage tank labelling

The storage tank should be labelled with the product name, the safety symbol, the tank
identification as well as with the orange ADR plate.
Sodium hypochlorite
Tank #
Example: tank label
Storage tank materials

Sodium hypochlorite is a corrosive and oxidising product. Because of its instability, it must not
be in contact with metals (cobalt, copper, iron, nickel and their alloys and salts) and must not
be exposed to heat or to direct sunlight.
Sodium hypochlorite is currently stored in certain types of plastic materials and sometimes in
lined steel.
Plastics
The maximum allowed pressure and vent line must be checked if compressed air is used
during unloading.
- GFRP with PVC lining; the condition of the liner should be checked according to supplier
specification.
- PVC (dual laminate) or HDPE are adequate for small storage tanks.
Lined steel
Vinyl ester, epoxy or ebonite are suitable liners; the condition of the liner should be checked
according to supplier specification.
Solvay Chemicals International SA

Rue du Prince Albert 44
B - 1050 Brussels
Brussels, RPM 0406804736
+32 2 509 61 11
www.solvaychemicals.com
DOC-1400-0003-W-EN (WW)
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SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
Technical Documentation
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE - STORAGE
Storage tank equipment

The tank must be fitted with the following:
- filling line of at least DN 50, with a clearly labelled coupling point at a maximum of one meter
above ground level,
- vent line of at least DN 100 on top of the storage tank,
- overflow line of at least DN 100, directed towards the ground and inside the bund,
- manhole,
- tank fluid level measurement device,
- high-level alarm, to avoid overflow and in the case of unloading with pump to switch it off,
- low-level alarm, to avoid cavitation and to switch off the transfer pump to the end-use.
- discharge line.
Note: The size of vent and overflow lines should be larger or equal in size to the filling line.
Bund
The storage tank must be placed on an adequate reinforced concrete foundation to support
the tank and must be placed in a bund, containment dyke or be double walled.
Sodium hypochlorite corrodes concrete. Epoxy paint coating gives good corrosion protection.
At least potentially exposed surfaces i.e. pump base/foundation, etc. be should protected.
Rainwater collected inside the bund may contain sodium hypochlorite. Connecting the bund
area to the sewer system is not recommended. A valve between the bund and a sewer
system is not sufficient to protect the sewer system from possible contamination of sodium
hypochlorite i.e. valve may be left open by mistake. The safest way of emptying the bund is to
use a manually operated pump.
Pipes should be passed over the bund walls and not through them. It is essential that the
bund and bund wall is sealed liquid-tight from the top to the bottom.
Caution: Storage tanks of products which are not compatible with sodium hypochlorite
(e.g., hydrochloric acid) should not be placed in the same bund.

B - 1050 Brussels
+32 2 509 61 11
DOC-1400-0003-W-EN (WW)
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SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
Pipes, valves and pumps

Pipes
The storage facility should be designed in a way which limits the possibility of trapping a
section containing sodium hypochlorite.
Plastic pipes are adequate for transporting sodium hypochlorite and should be applied in the
following order of preference:
- GFRP with PP or PVC lining,
- HDPE,
- PP.
Plastic pipes should be supported over their whole length.
Supplier specifications should be followed.
Valves
Ball valves in PVC or PP should be used.
To avoid trapping of sodium hypochlorite inside the valve we recommend to use vented
valves. The vent is normally designed as a hole through the side of the ball. This will allow
any liquid or gas in the ball to remain in contact with the upstream side whenever the valve is
in the closed position.
Pumps
Pumps made of PVC, PP or titanium are suitable for sodium hypochlorite transfer.
Issues with shaft tightening are avoided by using magnetic driven pumps.
Membrane pumps are suitable for a consistent delivery dose of sodium hypochlorite.
Gaskets
Gaskets made of flexible PVC, modified PTFE or EPDM should be used.
EPDM:
GFRP:
HDPE:
PP:
PTFE:
PVC:
Ethylene Propylene DiMonomer

Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester
High-Density PolyEthylene
PolyPropylene
PolyTetraFluoroEthylene
PolyVinyl Chloride

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+32 2 509 61 11
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SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
Example: Storage tank bottom unloading with compressed air
Example: Storage tank bottom unloading with pump
1
2
3
3
4
5
6
7
Flexible hose
Flushing water
Unloading pump
Transfer pump (to the end-use)
Pressure gauge
Filling line
Overflow line
Level measurement
8
8
9
10
11
12
13
17
High level alarm

Low level alarm
Vent line
Drain valve
Bund
To end use
To waste treatment
Collection sump
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To our present knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate as of the date of this document. However, we do not make
any warranty, express or implied, or accept any liability in connection with this information or its use. This information is for use by
technically skilled persons at their own discretion and risk and does not relate to the use of this product in combination with any other
substance or any other process. This is not a license under any patent or other proprietary right. The user alone must finally determine
suitability of any information or material for any contemplated use, the manner of use in compliance with relevant legislations and
whether any patents are infringed. We reserve our right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the information at any time
without prior notification.

B - 1050 Brussels
+32 2 509 61 11
DOC-1400-0003-W-EN (WW)
Issue 3 - June 2009
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SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

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DOC-1400-0003

Storage tank capacity

Storage tank labelling

Example: tank label

Storage tank materials

Solvay Chemicals International SA