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Do I need to passivate a SS tank if storing only vegetable oil? [Missouri] 

June 27, 2008

Installing a new 8000gal 304SS tank to store a vegetable oil at temps of 160-170 degrees F.
Most oils are stored in iron tanks, so why would passivation be needed in this case?

Mike Dobbins
end user - St. Joseph, Missouri

If you can tolerate a little iron in the oils it probably is not absolutely necessary to passivate it. However, if the tank is not passivated and there is free iron on the surface it could still rust if there should be water contamination in the oil. Vegetable oil will hold a small amount of water. Most food companies will passivate any stainless container, but for this application it is highly unlikely that you would ever have a problem. Good PM would be to check it periodically for any corrosion whether you passivate it or not.

Lee Kremer Stellar Solutions, Inc. Algonquin, IL, USA