Flexitank. Bulk liquids

Liquids transport in flexitank

IMPORT AND EXPORT YOUR BULK LIQUIDS

  • FLEXITANK: WHAT IS IT?

    Flexitank is an efficient and secure system of maritime transport of liquids in bulk. It allows transport between 10.000 and 26.000 litres

  • WHAT LIQUIDS CAN BE TRANSPORTED IN A FLEXITANK?

    Drinking water, juices, musts, wine, sweeteners, malt extracts, olive oil, vegetable oils, white oils, fatty acids, transformer oils, additives, waxes, detergents, glycerines, latex, lubricants, paraffins, polyols, printing ink and other non-hazardous chemicals.

FLEXITANK: WHAT IS IT?

The flexitank, also called flexibag or flexitanque is a flexible tank bag or large containerthat transforms a conventional 20’DV in a safe and efficient marine transportation system of bulk liquids.

CAPACITY OF FLEXITANK

Allows carry between 10,000 and 24,000 liters, although the most common models are16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 22,000 and 24,000 liters. Usually we choose the higher capacity model, but always mind the the density. Here you can see the most common sizes of flexitank by type of product:

Products Recommended flexitank size
Flexitank for Glycerin transport 20,000 l
Flexitank for wine transport 24,000 l
Flexitank to transport olive oil 22,000 l
Flexitank to transport palm oil 21,000 l
Flexitank for Polyol transport 19,000 l
Flexitank for Latex transport 19,000 l

WHAT LIQUIDS CAN BE TRANSPORTED IN A FLEXITANK?

In general, it can carry any non-dangerous liquids. Below there is a non exhaustive list of all that can be transported in a flexitank:

Food
products

Drinking water, fruit juices and concentrates, musts, wine, sweeteners, sorbitol, emulsions, malt extracts, olive oil, vegetable oils (sunflower, palm, corn, etc.), white oils, fatty acids or acids ricinoleic among others.

Non-food natural products

UCO oils (used cooking oil), UVO oils (used vegetable oil), liquid fats, biodiesel, among others.

Chemical
products

Additives, waxes, aluminum chlorhydroxide, detergents, glycerine, natural latex, synthetic latex, lubricants, paraffins, polyols, printing ink and other chemicals not hazards.

TYPES OF FLEXITANK

Flexitanks single use or reusable

The first flexitanks marketed were reusable and needed to be cleaned before further use,making them inconvenient. We currently only use single-use flexitanks. Thus, the exporter has the full assurance that there will be nocontamination by a residue from a previous product.

Number of layers of a flexitank

Considering the number of layers which it is manufactured, there are three types of flexitank:

  • Multilayer flexitanks: the first flexitanks were made between 4 and 5 layers of polyethylene. The main advantage of the multilayer flexitanks is that each layer is very thin and flexible, making it very easy when the download is complete roll the semi-empty flexitank to not leave losses (like a toothpaste tube it were). However, these layers as thintend to break easily, allowing part of the product is left between the layers and their recovery is impossible.
  • Monolayer Flexitanks: this type of equipment is manufactured in a single layer of polyethylene thicker than multilayer flexitank, and thus less flexible. Its main advantage is that no product can remain between the layers. However, because it is less flexible it is more likely to occur a stress crack or rupture inthe pocket caused by excessive force, generally in a corner, which can not be absorbed.
  • Bilayer flexitanks: combining the advantages of the previous two systems, was born onflexitank bilayer. It is manufactured with a layer of polyethylene, hard as monolayer but thin and flexible, laminated with a second twisted layer which protects the interior of the irregularities of the container.

Flexitanks upper or lower load

There are two systems of loading / unloading in the flexitanks market:

  • Upload/download above: flexitank is equipped with a valve on top of it, which means that both loading and downloading an operator must climb above the bulkhead, to connect and disconnect the hose. While the charge and discharge is simpler, it is a system less secure, less easy and costly in time.
  • Upload/download below: in this case the valve is located on the bottom front of theflexitank and passes through the bulkhead or bulkhead, which is simple and safe to connect the hose to load or unload.

Flexitank with thermal insulation

Depending on product type, weather conditions and temperature range desired, we can install the flexitank with thermal insulation, ensuring the desired temperature from product load until his discharge on arrival.

We have a serpentine carpet that, placed when the flexitank is installed, allow the product to be heated until it is liquefied, thus enabling its discharge.

  • USING THE FLEXITANK: INSTALLATIONS AND LOADING

    Flexitank first must be installed in a shipping container, the process must be performed only by qualified personnel and approved by the manufacturer of Flexitank. The installation process usually takes place in warehouses and container depots, being the last, the most desirable option. We must verify the suitability of the container, line the inside of protective material, place the flexitank and the bulkhead and make sure everything is in perfect condition.

    Then the container is brought to the place of loading, where the filling process is very simple, especially with flexitanks with bottom loading system. Simply open the right doorof the container, placing the pump to the valve and after about 30 minutes (depending on the capacity of the pump and the viscosity of the liquid) is already filled the flexitank. It is very important to respect the parameters of loading and never open the left door of the container.

  • TRANSPORTATION OF FLEXITANK

    Once loaded, the transportation of container is the same as in all other cases. Not all flexitanks manufacturers are certified by all shipping lines and not all have passed the stress tests of the COA (Container Owners Association). It is therefore important to ensure the chosen flexitank may be transported by sea without problems.

    If the container is eventually transported by rail shall ensure that flexitank manufacturer is approved specifically for the rail system.

  • DISCHARGING THE FLEXITANK

    Once flexitank reaches the destination, simply open the right door, connect the hose to the drain pump and valve and wait until flexitank is empty. The process may take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending both on the capacity of the pump and theviscosity of the product.

    When flexitank is almost empty and to avoid losses, it is best to double the flexitank like a tooth paste tube is involved. This will push the remaining product into the mouth of flexitank and can be downloaded completely.

    After draining the flexitank, we can take care of removing flexitank from the container and proceed to destroy with all respect to the environment.

    In fact, unlike the multi-party flexitank, in our case both the pure polyethylene which is made of flexitank as steel bulkhead are 100% recyclable materials, our solution comply with the strictest environmental standards.

Contact with our flexitank team

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