Unveiling Corrosion in Potable Water Storage Tanks

Water storage tanks fulfill various roles, including maintaining water service pressure, supplying emergency storage during power outages, and accommodating peak demands such as fire flows and periods of high water consumption throughout the day. Consistent flow rates are crucial for wells, water treatment plants, and pump stations. Rather than adjusting treatment and pumping rates in real-time to meet immediate demands, equalization storage volume helps ensure steady operations by balancing fluctuations through filling and draining storage volume.

When choosing a new water storage tank for your community or industry, several factors should be considered. Traditionally, many water utilities kept storage tanks full or nearly full to prepare for peak water use periods and emergencies like fires, leading to facilities with greater capacity than needed for non-emergency use. Additionally, some older storage facilities have overflow elevations lower than the system pressure, necessitating pumps to transport water from the tank to the distribution system. Stagnant water in a tank can cause water quality issues like residual loss, thermal stratification in summer, and ice formation in winter due to extended residence times.

Regardless of the tank type, matching the overflow elevation to the system pressure is crucial to allow the water surface within the tank to adjust according to system pressure. The water level in a storage tank fluctuates daily due to a fill-and-draw cycle, varying based on the facility’s size, real-time system demand, and distribution system location.

To ensure proper tank turnover and mixing, it’s important for the water level in the tank to fluctuate several feet before pump station operations begin or additional pumps are introduced.

Corrosion poses a significant financial challenge for industrial facilities nationwide, with costs reaching hundreds of billions of dollars annually. However, there is encouraging news: corrosion can be prevented through established maintenance practices, such as using 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 one way to provide this protection.

Advantages of Tank Lining

Finding solutions to problems requires a thorough grasp of the issue and its underlying causes. Corrosion, in its broadest sense, involves the deterioration of metals due to their interaction with the environment. When corrosion affects a storage tank, various contents—ranging from produce to potable water, chemicals, crude oil, clean petroleum products, and other substances—undergo a chemical reaction upon contact with the tank’s surface, resulting in internal corrosion and rusting.

Tank lining presents a solution not only for addressing existing corrosion but also for preventing its occurrence. This involves the application of coating products to the interior of storage tanks, commonly used to protect tanks from corrosion-related damage and maintain their structural integrity.

Protective linings not only uphold the operational efficiency of storage tanks but also significantly reduce overall maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of storage solutions such as silos, bins, and containers. Additionally, many tank linings possess antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can hinder the growth and spread of microorganisms, thereby preventing premature spoilage and associated health and safety risks.

Types of Linings for Storage Tanks

Several tank liner options are available in the market, each with its unique strengths. Here’s a breakdown of the common types:

Epoxy:

Epoxy tank coatings consist of epoxy material renowned for its chemical resistance. These coatings are sturdy and aggressive, making them suitable for high-temperature environments. Due to epoxy’s moisture resistance and absence of solvents, it’s an ideal choice for water tanks.

Epoxy linings are available in three main formulations: Epoxy Novolac, Bisphenol A, and Bisphenol F, each offering distinct advantages. Epoxy Novolac provides excellent chemical resistance, while Bisphenol F offers versatility, and Bisphenol A boasts higher viscosity and resistance to high temperatures. Epoxy Novolac is also solvent-free, making it particularly suitable for eco-friendly projects.

Polyurethane:

Polyurethanes are engineered to withstand a wide range of chemical and mechanical pressures, including abrasion, puncture, and corrosion. Their exceptional durability makes them highly effective in protecting against diverse elements, even in the most challenging environments. Particularly suitable for concrete structures, polyurethanes offer flexibility while remaining robust, making them a versatile choice for various applications.

Fluoropolymers:

Fluoropolymers boast several advantageous properties, including low friction coefficient, high impact tolerance, good tensile strength, and exceptional resistance to corrosion, permeation, abrasion, and high temperatures. These characteristics make them ideal for lining storage tanks, as well as other components such as transport vessels and pipes.

Vinyl Ester:

Vinyl ester liners, made of vinyl, offer some of the highest levels of resistance to chemical infiltration and contamination. Due to their outstanding resistance to temperature and chemical damage, these liners are extensively used across various chemical industries.

Cementitious Liners:

Cementitious linings come in two main types: epoxy and polymer-modified cementitious linings. These materials are widely used in lining concrete tanks used for water treatment and chemical storage. They are particularly suitable for waterproofing retaining or collection structures submerged underwater.

Zinc Tank Liners

A zinc tank liner, made from zinc silicate, offers anti-corrosive features. Its additives and binders can function effectively as a waterproofing substance. With a substantial zinc dust content, these liners promote zinc-to-zinc contact, creating protective layers resembling cathodes seen in galvanization. Although these linings are impermeable, cleaning them can be difficult. Nevertheless, they maintain the ability to securely hold chemicals.

We offer tried and tested services in Crockett, Grapeland, Kennard, Latexo, Lovelady, Ratcliff, HOUSTON, TEXAS. 

We also offer tried and tested services in Longbeach, and cities, towns, suburbs, localities, and places close to Long Beach 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 friendly and experienced customer service team is here to help you!

Call Tank Inspections Vegas by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167

Or email at info@tankinspections.vegas

1305 W 11th St #4087 Houston, TX 77008 USA

3711 Long Beach blvd Suite 4057 4th Floor # 1079 Long Beach, CA 90807 USA

Our recent Projects
Our Recent Articles