Understanding the Risk of IBC Totes Freezing in Winter and How to Prevent It
Intermediate bulk containers are frequently used to store a wide variety of liquid materials across a range of industries and applications. Common liquid types include water, chemicals, and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). A concern that arises with IBC totes and liquid cargo, particularly in colder climates, is the potential for the contents to freeze during winter. This short post will explore whether an IBC tote can freeze in winter and provides several frequently used methods to mitigate the risk.
Freezing in an IBC tote largely depends on what liquid the IBC is holding, the weather in your location, and how long the freezing temperatures last. In regions where it gets cold enough for long enough, there is a risk of the contents freezing, which could potentially cause damage to the IBC plastic or cause the tote to split open. For water IBC totes, freezing becomes a concern when outside temperatures reach 32°F (0°C) and lower.
How to Prevent Freezing in An IBC Tote
There are several ways to prevent liquids from freezing in an IBC container:
- Electric Heating Jackets: The most effective way to keep the contents of your IBC totes from freezing is by using an electric heating jacket. IBC heat blankets provide consistent heat distribution and maintain the temperature of the contents within the desired range.
- Close Stacking: Close stacking won’t by itself prevent a tote’s contents from freezing, but it can help keep totes warmer for longer. This method works on the principle of shared heat, where the warmth from one container helps maintain the temperature of another.
- Indoor Storage: If possible, storing IBC totes indoors during winter can be an effective strategy to prevent freezing. An indoor environment typically offers temperature control and thereby keeps IBC totes from freezing temperatures.
- Insulation: Using straw bales, tarps, blankets, water heater insulation, or home insulating materials can help protect and maintain the temperature of the tote’s contents and prevent freezing.
- Circulation: When liquids, such as water, are moving, they take more time or colder temperatures to freeze over. Using an air pump or water pump and plumbing to circulate and keep the IBC contents moving can be effective to prevent freezing.
For any IBC tote holding a liquid with a freezing point common to winter temperatures, there is a potential risk for the IBC tote to freeze. However, the above strategies can be used to prevent freezing, protecting your IBC tote and maintaining the quality or usability of its contents throughout the winter season.
