IBC Tote Design and Sealing Capability
Intermediate bulk containers (IBC totes) are prevalent in numerous industries and applications due to their design that provides secure, effective handling of cargo and commodities with ease of transport and ensuring minimal product loss during transit.
When it comes to whether or not an IBC is airtight, IBC totes are precision-engineered to maintain a sealed environment to safeguard the cargo it has been trusted with. The combination of construction and engineering work together to ensure air movement in or out of the IBC is minimized. This feature is intentionally built into the tote design to protect the IBC’s cargo so as to prevent potential degradation or contamination as well as meet regulatory requirements.
The airtightness of an IBC tote offers industries a reliable solution to meet stringent quality control and safety measures, particularly for hazardous and sensitive commodities.
What is Airtightness?
Airtightness is the ability of an IBC container to prevent air or gasses from moving between its interior and exterior environment. This means that an airtight container will not allow air or gas to enter or escape from it.
IBC Tote Use Airtightness Examples
IBC totes are used in many applications due to their sealing and protective design. In the food and beverage industry, IBCs are used to store and transport commodities and ingredients like syrups, sauces, and oils, where maintaining freshness and preventing contamination is vitally important. In the chemical industry, IBC totes carry hazardous or volatile substances, and their airtight nature helps keep harmful gasses from reaching the environment to safeguard both human health and the ecosystem.
In the pharmaceutical industry, IBC totes, particularly stainless steel IBCs, are used to keep medical substances and compounds in a clean and controlled environment.
Are IBC Totes Airtight?
In general, IBC totes are engineered and built to be airtight to prevents contamination from external elements, oxygen, bacteria, or particulates so as to maintain cargo quality. Gaskets and O-ring seals are used at the lid and drain valve to ensure the containers are airtight. However, it is important to note that plastic IBCs, such as caged IBC totes, are not completely airtight as the totes often feature a self-venting lid and the plastic walls allow some air to pass through them. To fix this, a non-venting lid could be used or a metal IBC tote rather than a plastic IBC.
How to Ensure IBC Tote Airtightness
- Proper Sealing: Make sure all openings, including lids, valves, and vents, are properly sealed and working correctly.
- Regular Inspection: Regularly check your IBC tote for any signs of wear and tear or damage that could compromise its airtightness.
- Use of Leakproofness Test: This test involves closing the IBC, sealing or capping vents, and applying air pressure of no less than 2.9 PSIG (20kPa) while the IBC seams are checked for leaks.
- Proper Handling and Storage: Improper handling can damage an IBC tote, compromising its airtightness, so handle and store IBCs properly to avoid damaging the seals or the container.
- Replacement of Parts: Over time, seals, valves and other components may experience wear and tear or chemical degradation and need to be replaced. Manufacturer certified or sourced replacement parts are recommended.
- Proper IBC Lid Closure and Torque Requirements: The lid of an IBC tote must be properly closed to maintain airtightness. When closing the lid for storage or transport, the lid must be tightened to the manufacturer’s specified torque requirements to create a secure seal. Over-tightening can damage the seal or threads, while under-tightening can cause a loose seal and leaks. Use of a torque wrench is recommended to reach the correct tightness. Always refer to the tote manufacturer’s guidelines for specific torque requirements for your particular IBC tote model as it will differ.
