When drums and IBCs become a daily handling chore, an on-site AdBlue® tank filled by tanker is often the next step. One of the first decisions is whether the tank should be single-skin or bunded. The choice affects cost, footprint, site approvals and how well you are protected if something goes wrong.
What is the difference?
Single-skin tanks
A single-skin tank has one wall. It is usually made of HDPE or stainless steel, both compatible with AdBlue. It holds the product but has no built-in secondary containment. If a leak or overfill happens, AdBlue escapes onto the ground unless the tank sits inside a separate bund or on a bunded pad.
Bunded (double-wall) tanks
A bunded tank has an inner tank inside an outer shell. The space between them catches any leak from the inner tank, and the outer shell can often also capture overfill. Many are designed so the outer bund holds more than the inner tank, commonly around 110%, but check the specification for any tank you are considering.
Pros and cons at a glance
| Single-skin | Bunded | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Spill containment | Needs a separate bund or pad | Built in |
| Footprint | Compact, plus any separate bund | Self-contained |
| Weather protection for fittings | Depends on design; a cabinet helps | Often enclosed |
| Relocation | Simpler if no bund is built | Moves as one unit |
AdBlue is not classed as a dangerous good for transport in Australia, and it is far less hazardous than diesel or oil. That is why single-skin tanks are common for AdBlue. But a large spill is still a clean-up job and can reach drains and waterways, so containment is worth thinking through carefully.
Questions to work through before you choose
- What does your site require? Storage and containment rules vary between states, councils and sites. Some sites, such as mines, ports and large depots, have their own standards. Check with your state EPA and your site's requirements before deciding. We cannot give compliance guarantees, but we can supply what the requirements call for.
- Where will the tank sit? Close to drains, stormwater or waterways increases the case for bunding. A sealed, bunded concrete pad can do the same job for a single-skin tank.
- How much do you use? Size the tank for your monthly volume, the delivery frequency you want and a safety buffer. Our usage calculator helps estimate this.
- How will it be dispensed? Plan the pump, meter, filter, hose reel and nozzle as part of the tank installation, not afterwards.
- Will it be in the sun? AdBlue keeps longest below 30°C. A shaded position or insulated design helps shelf life.
- How will you know the level? A tank level gauge or remote monitoring stops you running dry or ordering too early. A high-level or overfill alarm protects against spills during tanker delivery.
Features worth having on either type
- Lockable cabinet to protect the pump and nozzle from weather and unauthorised use.
- Compatible materials throughout: HDPE, polypropylene, stainless steel and EPDM, with no brass, aluminium or galvanised parts.
- Inline filter after the pump to protect vehicles, particularly on dusty sites.
- Tanker fill point that is easy for the driver to reach without dragging hoses across the yard.
- Overfill alarm and level gauge, such as the Piusi OCIO, or remote monitoring.
- Spill kit nearby, general purpose or chemical rather than oil-only.
Buy or lease?
You do not have to buy a tank outright. Leasing a tank with scheduled refills spreads the cost and puts the supplier in charge of keeping it topped up, which suits operators who would rather not manage stock levels. Buying suits sites that want full ownership or have their own maintenance team. Either way, ask who is responsible for servicing the pump, meter and filter.
One thing you can do today: mark out where you would put a tank and note the distance to the nearest stormwater drain. That single detail will shape the bunding conversation with your site manager or EPA more than anything else.
How Liquidia can help: Liquidia builds 5,000 L and 10,000 L single-skin AdBlue tanks with a lockable cabinet, supplies bunded tanks, and handles installation, remote level monitoring, leasing and scheduled refills. See our bulk and on-site service and ask for a quote to suit your site and volume.