There are various considerations to be made when storing bulk quantities of sulfuric acid. Chemical concentration and volume are among the greatest concerns due to chemical weight stress and the potential for corrosive activity to occur to the holding tank. Engineering review is recommended when storing greater than 4,000 gallons of concentrated sulfuric acid due to the increased weight load, tank stress, and hazards given a potential release.

CARBON STEEL SULFURIC ACID TANKS

Carbon steel H2SO4 tanks are the common tank choice for storing bulk quantities above 10,000 gallons. Carbon steel tanks are reported to be most effective at storing high-end, concentrated sulfuric acid solutions of 93 wt% and above. This is due to increasing solution water content with decreasing H₂SO₄ concentration, allowing greater reactivity to occur between the acid and the steel storage tank. The water content of any concentration below 93% will allow for an increase in corrosive activity on carbon steel storage tanks. With this considered, carbon steel tanks down to 77% H₂SO₄ are still successful in acid storage. Temperatures should be maintained beneath 100ᵒF.

POLYETHYLENE HDPE & XLPE SULFURIC ACID TANKS

The most common containers used for storing sulfuric acid solution quantities less than 10,000 gallons are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tanks. Due to the increased density of H₂SO₄ solutions, only tanks with specific gravity ratings of 1.9 or higher are recommended for sulfuric acid storage in order for the tank to properly withstand the chemical weight. A benefit of using thermoplastics such as poly tanks for sulfuric acid storage is that such materials are not reactive with H2SO4 as the metal of carbon steel tanks are and so the production of hydrogen gas and iron sulfate is avoided.

Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) tanks are not recommended for sulfuric acid storage. This recommendation is specially held for strong H₂SO₄ concentrations due to studies indicated XLPE failure after 6 months of storing 98% H₂SO₄, even at decreased temperatures of -40ᵒF. HDPE tanks are successful in the storage of sulfuric acid. Snyder Industries recommends that HDPE poly tanks be formulated using #880046 resins with CPVC fittings, Viton gaskets, and bolts of Hastelloy construction.

FIBERGLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC (FRP) TANKS

FRP composite tanks are only recommended for sulfuric acid concentrations of 80 wt% or lower, according to FRP-resin producer Ashland, Inc. This storage type is not considered suitable to store more concentrated H₂SO₄ solutions. Strengths in excess of 80% begin to detrimentally corrode vinyl ester resins of FRP composite tanks. This is especially true should solution temperatures become elevated to 100-120ᵒF and above, which is of potentially great concern should the dilution of H₂SO₄ be a consideration. Adding water to sulfuric acid produces significant heat and if temperatures rise above applicable thresholds, tank structural stability may become compromised. Due to these concerns, diluting sulfuric acid in fibreglass reinforced plastic tanks is not recommended.

Regards

The Corrosivity of sulfuric acid depends on following factors

1. Temperature

2. Conc of H2SO4

3. Presence of oxidizing or reducing impurities,

4. Velocity effects,

For High Concentration SS316L is better.

If H2SO4 is dilute then CS with liner PTFE.PFA,ECTEE,FEP etc is better.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353638068_MATERIAL_TECHNOLOGY_FOR_FERTILIZERS_INDUSTRIES

Regards,

Sulfuric Acid Storage Tanks are manufactured from HDPE, XLPE, FRP, and Carbon Steel at 1.9 specific gravity. Secondary containment is required. H₂SO₄ is best stored out of direct sunlight.

I got from this website

https://www.protank.com/sulfuric-acid

Hi Dr Muhammad Shoukat Hussain . Teflon is the best material for Sulfuric acid . See the link : https://sciencing.com/types-used-storing-acids-bases-8456845.html

Perhaps of some interest for your query:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Oleum-corrosion-what-steel-or-nickel-alloy

What about concentrated transportation (piping) of sulfuric acid???