Plastic Liquid Surface Covering Balls for Tanks and Pools

Liquid surface covering balls float on top of a liquid to seal its surface from the air. Tipped onto a tank, pond, pool or basin, they spread into a floating layer that covers most of the surface, which cuts evaporation, keeps heat in, and holds back mist, fumes and smell, while keeping dust, sunlight and rain out. They are used on chemical and electroplating tanks, wastewater and process ponds, hot-liquid and water baths, and anywhere an open liquid surface loses too much to the air.

A full layer of balls covers up to 99 percent of the surface, and covering that much of it cuts evaporation and heat loss sharply — most of what an open liquid loses comes off the exposed surface, so blanketing it keeps the liquid and its heat where you want them. The exact saving depends on the liquid, its temperature and how completely the balls cover it, but a good layer markedly slows evaporation, cuts chemical mist and odour, and lowers the energy needed to hold a hot bath at temperature.

There is nothing to fix or fit — you pour the balls onto the liquid and they float and spread themselves into a covering layer. Being light and hollow they self-level, close up any gaps as the liquid moves or is drawn off, and part and re-cover around anything dipped through them. When the tank is emptied they stay with the liquid or can be scooped off, and they go back into service afterwards. That ease of use is one of their main advantages.

They are made of polypropylene, a light plastic that resists corrosion across the full pH range, from strong acid to strong alkali, along with many salts and solvents, which is why they suit chemical and electroplating tanks. They float because they are hollow and low in density, and they take heat up to around 120 degrees. For an unusual or very hot liquid, tell us the chemistry and temperature and we will confirm the material.

The ball size is chosen for the tank and the duty — larger balls cover a big open surface with fewer pieces, while smaller ones suit tighter or busier tanks. We supply 40, 50 and 80 mm balls; as a guide, a cubic metre holds roughly 700 of the 40 mm, 500 of the 50 mm or 230 of the 80 mm. To cover a surface you take its area and the balls needed per square metre for that size. Tell us the tank size and we will work out the quantity.