Industrial Storage Tank Size Explained

When you’re storing water, chemicals, food-grade liquids or industrial effluent, selecting the right storage tank is about choosing the right materials, features and capacity. The correct tank size should meet your operational needs today while allowing room for future growth, all without taking up unnecessary space or increasing costs.

Industrial storage tanks typically come in a range of standard capacities, with some manufacturers also offering bespoke designs for applications that require a more tailored solution. Understanding how tank sizes are measured and which capacities are best suited to different industries can help you make a more informed decision.

How Are Industrial Storage Tank Sizes Measured?

Industrial storage tanks are usually measured by their total capacity in litres, although larger installations may also be referred to in cubic metres (m³), where:

• 1,000 litres = 1 cubic metre (1 m³)
• 10,000 litres = 10 m³
• 100,000 litres = 100 m³

While capacity is often the first specification people look at, it shouldn’t be considered in isolation. Two tanks with the same volume may have very different dimensions depending on their shape, orientation and intended application.

Other factors that influence the overall design include:

• Available floor space
• Height restrictions
• Access for installation
• The density of the liquid being stored
• Required fittings and accessories
• Whether secondary containment is required

Niplast Storage Tank Capacities

Our industrial storage tanks are manufactured in a wide range of capacities, from relatively small process tanks through to large bulk storage vessels capable of holding tens of thousands of litres.

Thanks to our ability to provide bespoke designs, we can tailor-make tanks for the respective project. We do however, have maximum capacities for each tank which we have listed below.

Which Storage Tank Capacity Is Right for Your Application?

The right capacity depends on how the stored liquid will be used, how often it is replenished and whether future expansion is anticipated. Let’s break down the different size categories and what they are commonly used for.

Smaller Capacity Tanks

Up to around 10,000 litres. Smaller tanks are often used for:

• Chemical dosing
• Batch production
• Water treatment systems
• Laboratories
• Pilot plants

These installations typically prioritise precise storage over high volume.

Medium Capacity Tanks

Approximately 10,000 to 50,000 litres. Medium-sized storage tanks are commonly selected for:

• Manufacturing facilities
• Food processing plants
• Commercial buildings
• Agricultural businesses
• Process water storage

These capacities often provide a good balance between storage volume and installation flexibility.

Large Capacity Tanks

Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 litres. Larger tanks are generally used where continuous operation depends on holding significant volumes of liquid.

Typical applications include:

• Municipal water treatment
• Industrial manufacturing
• Bulk chemical storage
• Slurry and effluent storage
• Fire water reserves
• Emergency resilience systems

Large-capacity tanks can reduce the frequency of deliveries and improve operational resilience where uninterrupted supply is essential.

Other Factors to Consider for Tank Size

Although capacity is important, there are other factors that can impact the actual size or design of the tank.

Different liquid types require different construction materials, fittings and safety features. Potable water, corrosive chemicals, food ingredients and wastewater each have their own storage requirements.

The available installation space is a huge factor that will determine the maximum size of the tank. Not every site has room for a large cylindrical tank and where floor space is limited, rectangular tanks or taller vertical designs may make more efficient use of the available area.

For environmental protection some installations require secondary containment to minimise the risk of environmental contamination in the event of a leak. The secondary containment will typically need to provide more capacity than the tank itself to ensure that any leaked materials are caught in their entirety. This means the equipment will have additional capacity that, while not used on a day-to-day basis, will take up additional space. For an efficient way to handle this, self-bunded and double-wall tanks can provide additional protection without the need for a separate bund.

Future expansion should be a key consideration when making a decision. Choosing a tank based only on current demand may result in needing additional storage sooner than expected. Where production is likely to increase, allowing some spare capacity can help avoid unnecessary replacement costs.

Standard Tank Sizes vs Bespoke Storage Tank Designs

While standard capacity tanks can be a quick and easy solution for some industries, they aren’t always suitable for every use case. Available space, process requirements, access restrictions and the properties of the stored liquid can all influence the final tank design. Which is why we aim to provide tailor-made solutions for new tank builds.

For example, our Sitebilt® chemical storage tanks are manufactured using a modular design. This allows us to meet precise storage requirements and build exactly what’s needed.

If you would like to discuss storage options for a replacement or future project, please contact us here.