Water storage tanks have multiple functions, including maintaining water service pressure, providing emergency storage and pressure during power outages, and offering equalization volume to handle peak demands, such as during fire flows and periods of high water usage throughout the day. Consistent flow rates are generally preferred for wells, water treatment plants, and pump stations. Instead of adjusting treatment and pumping rates in real-time to meet immediate demands, equalization storage volume enables consistent operations by balancing fluctuations through filling and draining the storage capacity.
When choosing a new water storage tank for your community or industry, several factors need to be considered.
Traditionally, many water utilities have kept storage tanks full or nearly full to prepare for peak water usage and emergencies, like fires, leading to storage facilities with more capacity than necessary for non-emergency use. Additionally, some older storage facilities have overflow elevations lower than the system pressure, requiring pumps to move water from the tank to the distribution system. Stagnant water in a tank can lead to water quality problems such as loss of disinfectant residual, thermal stratification in summer, and ice formation in winter due to long residence times.
Regardless of the tank type, it’s crucial to match the overflow elevation to the system pressure correctly, allowing the water level in the tank to adjust according to system pressure. The water level in a storage tank typically fluctuates daily as part of a fill-and-draw cycle, depending on the storage facility’s size, real-time system demand, and location within the distribution system.
To ensure proper tank turnover and mixing, it’s essential for the water level in the tank to fluctuate several feet before the pump station starts operating or additional pumps are brought online.
Corrosion is one of the most significant financial challenges for industrial facilities nationwide, with costs reaching hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The good news is that corrosion can be prevented through established maintenance practices, such as the use of protective coatings.
Corrosion protection for storage tanks is crucial for preventing leaks, environmental disasters, fires, explosions, workplace injuries, unexpected downtime, and expensive repairs. Choosing the most effective coatings and application techniques for your storage tank is a key method of providing this protection.*
Tank Linings: a Proactive Solution for Corrosion Prevention
As you mentioned, understanding a problem’s root cause is crucial for finding solutions. Corrosion, the deterioration of metals due to environmental interaction, is a major concern for storage tanks. When corrosion occurs, the stored contents – from food and water to chemicals and fuels – can react with the tank walls, leading to internal rust and contamination.
Tank linings offer a powerful solution to not only address existing corrosion but also prevent it from happening in the first place. This process involves applying specialized coatings to the interior of storage tanks. These coatings act as a shield, protecting the tank from corrosion and preserving its structural integrity.
Types of Linings for Storage Tanks
There are numerous tank liners available on the market.
Here’s an overview of the common types and their strengths:
Epoxy
Epoxy tank coatings are made from epoxy resin, which is renowned for its exceptional chemical resistance. These coatings are durable and suitable for use in high-temperature environments. Due to epoxy’s moisture resistance and the absence of solvents, it is an ideal choice for water tanks.
Epoxy linings come in three primary formulations, each with distinct advantages:
- Epoxy Novolac: Offers excellent chemical resistance and is solvent-free, making it suitable for environmentally friendly projects.
- Bisphenol A: Features high viscosity and provides resistance to high temperatures, making it a robust option for extreme conditions.
- Bisphenol F: Known for its versatile functionality and lower viscosity, making it easier to apply in various scenarios.
Polyurethane
Polyurethanes are designed to withstand a wide range of chemical and mechanical stresses, including abrasion, puncture, and corrosion. Their exceptional durability makes them highly effective in protecting against various elements, even in the most challenging environments. Polyurethanes are particularly suitable for concrete structures due to their flexibility and robustness, making them a versatile choice for diverse applications.
Fluoropolymers
Fluoropolymers possess a range of advantageous properties, including a low friction coefficient, high impact tolerance, good tensile strength, and exceptional resistance to corrosion, permeation, abrasion, and high temperatures. These qualities make them well-suited for lining storage tanks, as well as other components such as transport vessels and pipes.
Vinyl Ester
Vinyl ester liners, made from vinyl resin, provide exceptional resistance to chemical infiltration and contamination. Due to their outstanding resistance to temperature fluctuations and chemical damage, these liners are extensively used in various chemical industries.
Cementitious Liners
Cementitious linings come in two main varieties: epoxy and polymer-modified cementitious linings. These materials are commonly used to line concrete tanks for water treatment and chemical storage. They are especially well-suited for waterproofing submerged retaining or collection structures.
Zinc Tank Liners
Zinc tank liners, made from zinc silicate, offer excellent anti-corrosive properties. These liners, which include additives and binders, effectively function as waterproofing materials. The high zinc dust content in these liners allows for zinc-to-zinc contact, forming protective layers similar to those found in galvanizing, which act as a cathodic barrier against corrosion. Although the cleaning process for these non-porous linings can be challenging, they are still effective for safely containing chemicals.
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