Speichertank

Speichertank is a container designed to store liquids or gases, used across utilities, industry and energy systems to hold water, fuels, chemicals, process fluids or thermal media. They may operate under atmospheric pressure or under pressure, and their sizes range from small domestic vessels to industrial installations with volumes of several cubic meters to thousands.

Speichertanks are built in various configurations, including above-ground storage tanks (AST) and underground storage tanks (UST). Materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, reinforced concrete and fiber-reinforced plastics. For thermal applications, buffer tanks store hot or cold water and are often insulated or jacketed and may include internal coils or heat exchangers.

In heating, solar and industrial applications, the term Pufferspeicher is common for tanks that balance supply and demand. Tanks used for chemical storage may require corrosion-resistant linings, double-walled construction or secondary containment. Some tanks are designed as pressurized vessels for gases, while others are non-pressurized atmospheric tanks.

Design and safety rely on regional codes and standards, such as DIN EN in Europe or API standards in North America. Key considerations include capacity and operating pressure, corrosion protection and coatings, ventilation and pressure-relief devices, spill containment and fire safety.

Maintenance involves regular inspection, corrosion monitoring, testing for leaks, cleaning and proper decommissioning of tanks that are taken out of service. Speichertanks play a central role in water supply, energy storage, and process industries, balancing supply and demand and ensuring process continuity.