With years of experience under our belt, we’ve tackled all sorts of storage tank repairs and linings. These tanks come in all shapes and sizes, from above ground to buried deep below, and in every condition imaginable – from sparkling new to needing some serious TLC.
But one thing’s for sure from all this work: corrosion is the biggest enemy of a storage tank’s lifespan.
So What is Corrosion?
Corrosion, a natural process influenced by chemistry, metallurgy, and electricity, involves the gradual deterioration of materials due to chemical reactions in their environment.
This degradation diminishes the advantageous properties of materials, such as their strength, appearance, and resistance to liquid and gas permeation.
During the production of steel for storage tanks and other uses, energy in the form of fire and heat is introduced. This creates an energy imbalance in the resulting steel, which nature attempts to balance by returning the material to its natural state.
Nature seeks to release this excess energy by shedding electrons, thereby rectifying the imbalance and initiating the corrosion of the metal, converting it back into iron oxide, commonly known as rust.
The presence of water, whether in solid, liquid, or vapor form, significantly accelerates the corrosion process. Stored water acts as a potent electrolyte, facilitating ion transfer and current flow within the microstructure of the steel.
Storage tanks and piping systems provide an optimal environment for corrosion to develop. Apart from atmospheric corrosion, these systems provide the necessary water and nutrients for microbial growth, further intensifying the corrosion process.
Lining Stops Corrosion
Effectively managing and controlling internal corrosion can be accomplished by applying protective coatings correctly.
These coatings act as a protective barrier between the steel tank and the stored contents, effectively preventing corrosion. By disrupting the flow of electrons, these coatings halt the onset of corrosion.
Moreover, internal coatings deter microbes from directly corroding the steel, thereby preventing microbiologically influenced corrosion.
Good Preparation and Good Coating Application
Ensuring proper coating application is crucial to prevent discontinuities, such as breaks or gaps in the coatings, which could lead to corrosion recurring on the steel surface.
These discontinuities often result from inadequate surface preparation or incorrect coating application techniques.
Properly preparing the steel surface and applying the coating system can help minimize discontinuities and extend the lifespan of the coating.
Failures in lining due to improper or insufficient application can result in significant consequences for operators, including substantial financial losses from lost revenue, expenses for lining replacement and tank repairs, and potential fines resulting from tank leakage.
When selecting a company to line your storage tanks, it is essential to choose an experienced and reputable provider.
Applying a protective coating or lining to the tank interior not only aids in corrosion control but also ensures product purity.
The smoothness of tank lining coatings can improve the flow of stored products, reducing residue left in the tank.
Given stringent environmental regulations, tank storage facilities must prevent tank leaks and any contamination of nearby land or waterways.
Using protective coatings leads to lower operating costs, reduced repair needs, and an extended service life for storage tanks, ultimately increasing profitability.
Corrosion protection typically involves thinner coatings or flexible lining products for above-ground applications, while epoxy composite lining systems combined with mortar are suitable for new structures. Our coatings prioritize chemical resistance on various surfaces such as concrete, steel, masonry, and more, across municipal, industrial, institutional, and energy/utility applications.
We strongly recommend applying preventative coatings to newly installed structures before they are put into service to maximize their service life.
We provide proven services in Crockett, Grapeland, Kennard, Latexo, Lovelady, Ratcliff, Houston, Texas.
Additionally, we offer established services in Long Beach and surrounding areas such as Lakewood, Rossmoor, Lincoln Village, Seal Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Bellflower, Carson, La Palma, Paramount, Cerritos, East Compton, West Carson, Compton, Norwalk, Stanton, Westminster, Lomita, Downey, Lynwood, Rolling Hills Estates, Cudahy, California.
Our customer service team is friendly and experienced, ready to assist you!
Call NFPA 25 Inspections LA by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167
Or email at info@nfpa25inspections.la
1305 W 11th St #4087 Houston, TX 77008 USA
3711 Long Beach blvd Suite 4057 4th Floor # 1079 Long Beach, CA 90807 USA
