How to properly discharge a flexitank

Each company and operator will in time develop their own methods with slight variations on how they prefer to unload their flexitanks. Depending on your facility, equipment and type of product you might find that you too might need small adjustments to work in your particular environment.

Regardless, there are a few key steps that apply to the broad majority of discharges and we’d like to share those with you. If you are facing some unforseen or unexpected issue onloading your flexitank contact us and we’ll be glad to help you.

Before you start, keep in mind that the front of the container needs to be in proximity to your equipment; also, if you have the ability to incline the container, this will reduce some extra effort in the final stages of the unloading.

• Place the suction pump at a convenient spot between the container and the storage tank.

• Open the right hand door of the container only.  The left hand door must be closed at all times during the discharging process. 

• Open the snout of the wear sleeve (do not cut) and remove the safety plug on the product valve.

• Connect the cam-lock coupling of the inlet hose of the pump to the product valve on the flexitank and connect the outlet hose to the storage tank, making sure that these two couplings are properly connected. Depending on hose size, a reducer may be required.
  

• Move the handle of the product valve to the open position and turn on the pump to start the discharging process. Make sure that the product hose is properly supported to prevent pulling downward on the product valve.
  

• When the product has been 75% to 80% discharged, reduce the pump rate. When the liquid in the flexitank is lowered to approximately 4 inches (10 cm) from the floor level, 1 to 2 workers must go inside the container to lift up the sides of the flexitank to move the product into the center. Leave the sides of the flexitank folded over.
  

• Lift the front end of the flexitank and roll slowly towards the door so that the liquid residue can flow easily towards the product valve. Continue the process until the liquid inside the flexitank is totally pumped off.
  

NOTE: For some products, the flexitank is easier to empty if a large, flat tool (i.e. squeegee or the back side of a push broom) is used on the outside of the flexitank to push product toward the product valve.

• Close the product valve and turn off the suction pump. Remove the coupling from the product valve. Replace the safety plug on the product valve.
  

• Open the left container door and dismantle the bulkhead.
  

• Roll up the flexitank and wear sleeve. Place them with the bulkhead and support beams.
  

• Close the container doors.

• Remove Bulk Liquid Caution labels/decals from the container.
  

The discharging process is complete!

Here are some more resources that you might find helpful!

How to select a container for a flexitank

How to prepare a container for a flexitank

How to load a bottom discharge flexitank

How to load a top discharge flexitank