As data centers expand to meet the world’s growing demand for AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure, their need for reliable, sustainable support systems has never been greater. The global data center market is projected to surge 44% year-over-year in 2025, with hyperscalers investing $371 billion in AI-driven capacity alone—fueled by the insatiable appetite for processing power. Beyond servers and cooling equipment, the unseen foundation of every modern data center is a network of high-performance storage tanks—quietly ensuring environmental compliance, operational continuity, and safety.
This boom isn’t without challenges: Data centers already consumed 4% of U.S. electricity in 2024, a figure expected to double by 2030 as AI workloads intensify. With power outages causing up to 99.9% uptime demands and water scarcity pressuring cooling systems, resilient infrastructure like KBK tanks isn’t optional—it’s essential for safeguarding investments and the planet.
At KBK Industries, we manufacture engineered fiberglass and steel tanks designed to meet the exacting standards of mission-critical facilities. For data centers, our tanks are essential components across four key applications:
💨 1. Air Scrubber Tanks Backup generators are the lifeblood of a data center’s reliability—but their emissions must be carefully controlled. KBK’s Air Scrubber Tanks integrate into generator exhaust treatment systems to neutralize harmful gases, capture particulates, and support compliance with local and federal air-quality standards. Whether you’re running a single backup unit or an entire generator farm, our corrosion-resistant fiberglass designs deliver dependable performance and low maintenance over decades of service.
Pro Tip: In high-density AI environments, where backup runs can spike emissions by 20–30%, our tanks reduce particulate capture time by up to 15%, minimizing downtime risks during grid failures—which account for 40% of data center outages.
⚗️ 2. Pollution Control & Wastewater Tanks From stormwater runoff to coolant discharge, data centers produce various waste streams that must be safely contained and treated. Our Pollution Control Tanks provide robust secondary containment and chemical compatibility for oily water, neutralization processes, and environmental protection. Each system can be tailored to meet site-specific regulatory requirements and integrate seamlessly with existing treatment or recycling systems.
Sustainability Spotlight: As data centers face scrutiny for wastewater discharge—potentially adding millions of gallons annually to municipal systems—KBK tanks enable closed-loop recycling, aligning with emerging standards like those from the World Economic Forum. For instance, integrating our tanks with treated effluent reuse can cut freshwater dependency by 50%, supporting net-zero water goals.
❄️ 3. Coolant & Process Water Storage Thermal management is the heartbeat of data center performance. KBK’s Coolant and Process Water Tanks support chilled-water loops, glycol systems, and evaporative cooling processes. Built for stability, precision, and cleanliness, these tanks help maintain optimal fluid balance and extend equipment life—all while supporting efficient, closed-loop operation.
Innovation Edge: With 2025 trends shifting toward liquid cooling for AI chips (expected to handle 70% of hyperscale deployments), our tanks ensure precise temperature control, reducing energy use by 10–20% compared to legacy air systems. This not only boosts PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) scores but also future-proofs against rising heat densities from next-gen GPUs.
⛽ 4. Backup Fuel Storage Even the most advanced facilities depend on reliable backup power. Our Fuel Storage Tanks are engineered for long-term diesel containment, meeting UL-142 and UL-2085 standards for safety and fire protection. Whether installed above ground or below, KBK tanks ensure your backup generators are always ready when the grid isn’t.
Reliability Stats: Power reliability is non-negotiable—data centers aim for 99.999% uptime, yet grid instability could triple energy demands by 2028. KBK’s double-wall designs prevent leaks in seismic zones and integrate with smart monitoring for real-time fuel level alerts, ensuring seamless failover during the 1–2 hour blackouts that plague 30% of U.S. facilities annually.
The Sustainability Imperative – How KBK Tanks Drive Net-Zero Data Centers
In an era where AI’s carbon footprint rivals aviation—projected to emit 24–44 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2030—data center operators are under pressure to green their operations. KBK tanks play a pivotal role here, embedding sustainability into every facet of infrastructure.
- Water Conservation: Traditional evaporative cooling guzzles up to 1.8 billion gallons yearly per large facility. Our fiberglass tanks facilitate on-site treatment and reuse, mirroring innovations like AWS’s recycled water programs that save millions of gallons of potable supply.
- Emission Reduction: Paired with scrubbers, KBK systems cut NOx and particulate emissions by 90%, helping facilities meet EPA Tier 4 standards without compromising power redundancy.
- Circular Economy Integration: Modular designs allow easy upgrades for biofuel compatibility, extending tank life to 50+ years and reducing embodied carbon.
By choosing KBK, you’re not just storing fluids—you’re investing in resilience that scales with AI’s growth while shrinking your environmental impact. Engineered for Performance. Built for Peace of Mind. Every KBK tank is fabricated with the same commitment to safety, durability, and compliance that our industrial and municipal clients have trusted for decades. For data centers, that means more than just storage—it means continuity, sustainability, and resilience in every layer of infrastructure.