Industrial tanks need to have effective tank linings installed in the inner walls to prevent corrosion and other types of damages like abrasions, rusting, and cracking, among others. For prevention of spillage that can lead to safety and health risks, tank linings are also necessary.
1. Protective tank linings
Storage tanks, like any material on earth, are subject to corrosion that can weaken structural integrity over time. Inside a storage tank, direct contact between the air, the tank’s contents and the tank walls allows corrosion to take place. Corrosion occurs regardless of the type of content, be it liquid materials like fuel, water or gas, or solid materials such as sand, flour or rocks.
To minimize structural damages brought by corrosion and other caustic interactions, there is a need for tank lining that can protect the inner walls of the tank. Tank linings not only provide protection, it also repairs any damage that has already occurred. Once tank lining has been successfully implemented, corrosion is prevented, lessening the need for frequent maintenance and repair, and extending the useful life of the tank. Tank linings are also valuable to prevent permeation of the tank’s surface walls by liquid content that can lead to growth of health-threatening organisms.
2. Tank lining specialists gets the job done
Because of the severe consequences of tank corrosion, it is essential to entrust the work of tank lining to experienced painting contractors who have the skills for such a specialized task. Since tanks are used for a variety of purposes and functions, they require the use of different types of coating materials. Highly-trained painting contractors can identify the suitability of available tank lining products to the particular tank project and can educate facility managers on possible tank lining application issues and maintenance requirements.
Choosing competent specialists to do the tank lining project assures that only the right product and the proper application process will be implemented for the job, ensuring a higher degree of success.
3. Tank lining process and success factors
Tank lining projects commonly follow a straightforward process of material identification, project planning, tank preparation, application and continuous quality control and evaluation. Trained painting contractors can recommend the coating product that is most suitable for the tank’s surface material. Planning involves a survey of the tank’s location, organizing the work crew, and addressing all of the project’s logistical issues. Abrasive blasting prepares the surface of the tank and removes traces of dirt and any surface contaminants that can reduce the lining profile.
Tank lining materials that comply with industry standards are then applied to specification. Application methods vary depending on the expertise of the painting contractors and the requirements of the tank. Large areas can benefit from airless sprays, although hard-to-reach corners and seams benefit more from careful manual applications.
Skilled painting contractors must have the expertise to monitor, test, interpret results and implement the appropriate actions for any problems that may arise all throughout the project as part of a comprehensive quality control system.
Industrial tank linings safeguard the integrity of containment tanks. The wise choice of qualified painting contractors, the identification of the most appropriate tank coatings and linings products, the correct tank lining application process and quality control systems, all play a crucial role in prolonging the life of one of the most important equipment and infrastructure in any facility – storage tanks.
