For having a clean and healthy base oil, suitable storage and handling guidelines are essential.
Base oil is not a dangerous material, but knowing its specific details can help to maintain safety, reduce damages, and save money.
In this article, the most important points of base oil storage, handling and safety will be reviewed.
Base Oil Storage
For base oil storage, tanks and containers should be completely dried, cleaned, and internally coated with a protective coating or sealant before being filled with base oil.
Because, contamination is one of the most important factors in reducing the lifetime of the base oil, which can be shown by changes in its color or density.
This contamination can be caused by water or solid particles such as dust and rust that may already exist in storage tanks.
Oil contamination with water in any form, dissolved, emulsified, or free, is a significant problem. It causes oil oxidation and also creates an environment for the growth of microbes, which is corrosive and harmful to the base oil’s performance.
Also, highly refined mineral base oils (group 2 & 3) and synthetic base oils have a longer storage time compared to lower-grade base oils (group 1), because they have fewer impurities.
It is important to protect base oil from very high and very low temperatures during its storage time. High temperatures accelerate oil oxidation, and the dark color of base oil shows this oxidation.
Very low temperatures cause the base oil to freeze or become cloudy in appearance. The pour point of the chosen base oil should be considered, which is usually less than 0°C.
Furthermore, the specifications of the base oil may indicate a low emulsified water content. In this case, the water will freeze below 0°C, which will impact the base oil’s quality.
This means that temperatures above 0°C can be a safer limit to prevent the freezing of water. So the temperature range of 4°C to 49°C (40°F to 120°F) can be a safe range.
Handling and Packaging
Base oils are supplied both in bulk and in various packages in barrels, flexi tanks, and IBCs. Due to the non-corrosiveness of this product, non-stainless steel can also be used for its storage and handling.
Flexi tank is a flexible bulk liquid storage tank made of multiple layers of polyethylene and a polypropylene outer cover.
The majority of flexitanks have capacities ranging from 10,000 to 24,000 liters on average. Flexi tanks are lighter than steel tanks and can be assembled more easily. The limitations of flexitanks are lower strength and a shorter lifespan.
Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are strong containers used for storing and transporting a wide range of liquids and solids.
IBCs are available in a variety of capacities that offer a safe and durable way of transporting and storing. They may be made of different materials, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), steel, and wood.
Safety
This product is stable and non-corrosive in environmental conditions. The skin and eyes will not become irritated or burn with base oil. If skin contact occurs, wash with soap and water.
If eye contact happens, immediately rinse them with plenty of water for up to 15 minutes. Remove any contact lenses and open your eyes.
Base oil may be mortal if swallowed and enters the airways. In this condition, rinse your mouth, get some fresh air, and get medical attention immediately.
The base oil is not flammable under ambient conditions, but pay attention to the flash point of the base oil. To guarantee the safety and quality of the base oil, do not store it near sources of high temperatures, such as furnaces and steam lines.
If a fire occurs, use foam, carbon dioxide, and dry powder to extinguish it. Also, when the base oil catches fire or heats up to the flash point, corrosive gasses may be formed. In these cases, use a protective mask.
