IBCs and Venting | Do I need to depressurize my IBC?
Intermediate Bulk Containers, or IBC totes and tanks, in most cases do not need to be depressurized. During transport, this concern arises due to fluctuations in both temperature and pressure. However, even when an IBC tank is being used under extreme conditions, there will typically be standard depressurization features in place to ensure that you do not have to go out of your way to manually depressurize it.
No Need to Worry
The majority of IBCs will not need to be depressurized, as they are not usually used to contain pressure-sensitive materials. A standard IBC is designed to contain and transport goods under normal temperatures and changes in pressure. Under these standard occurrences, there won’t be a need to depressurize an IBC when it is unloaded after transport. Intermediate bulk containers are also designed to handle these changes in pressure in the rare chance that it fluctuates during transport.
Built-In Features for Depressurization
Rare occurrences may lead to the internal pressure of an IBC to rise too high. In the case that this happens, most IBCs will have built in features to temporarily handle the change in pressure. Typically when an IBC reaches around 1.72 kilopascals, or 0.25 psi, the standard inlet cap, vacuum vent, or vent bung will relieve the container’s internal pressure and ensure that it stays within safe levels. This will keep you from needing to take any extra steps to depressurize an IBC. However, if you are handling pressure sensitive goods and feel that these built in features may not cut it, there are also options to enhance the features of your IBC to guarantee a safe depressurization.
Some IBCs May Need Additional Features
If an IBC is used to contain particularly sensitive materials, you may need to add extra depressurization features. Because of this, container manufacturers like BASCO offer additional vents and other venting systems that automatically depressurize the container.
Transporting a product is made easier with a quality IBC that has built in depressurization features. To prevent the possible hassle of having to manually depressurize your intermediate bulk container, make sure you are buying quality IBCs from BASCO. We contain it all—and we’ll make sure it is safely and effectively stored.
This type of expert knowledge is what sets BASCO apart from other container providers. With over 75 years of experience in the container field, we're able to confidently provide sound advice for almost any industry; from chemical, and agricultural, to food manufacturing and more! No-matter how specific your case may be, give us a call or an email and we'll talk it over.
