Tank Coating
What is Tank Coating mean?A tank coating is a protective sealant used to isolate a structure from its environment. A tank coating will maintain a storage tank indefinitely. Well that explains it all doesn't it? No?
Tank coatings are epoxy, chemically resistant coatings used to protect chemical concrete, steel and other structural materials from acids and alkalines. They are used in semiconductor plants, sewer plants, shops, shopping centers, shower rooms, show rooms, supermarkets, veterinary facilities and chemical storage tanks. You know…the things that look like giant buckets of paint. They are sealed off with a tank coating thus protecting whatever cargo they hold.
The advantages of tank coating your facility are:
- Excellent chemical resistance
- It adds strength and resiliency to your facility
- Built in flexibility
- Most coatings are spray-able for ease in applying
- Maximum cargo flexibility and product cycling
- Coatings can be applied to pitted, corroded steel to restore it
Coating will reinforce your facility against leaks and contaminations.
How do I prep for Tank Coating?
Depending on what type of coating you get put on, your preparation could vary. Some require much work ahead of time and some practically none.
For the majority, a basic cleaning will do you good. The surface being sprayed (or painted as some still are) must be clean and sound. So remove all dirt, grease curing compounds and other foreign material by sandblasting, mechanical abrasion or acid etching. If you do need to acid etch be sure and follow that up with sand blasting. Then remove water and dust with a blast right before application. If applying on new concrete, it needs to be at least 28 days old and the temperature of the substrate much be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Use safety glasses with side shields and wear protective rubber gloves as prolonged or repeated exposure can cause irritation.
Two coats are recommended for application (do NOT thin) and then up to a week to cure.
Problems with specific coatings
Phenolic Epoxy Marine Coating is used for transporting marine cargo and is very prone to absorbing toxins from its cargoes. When it releases the absorbed toxins it can contaminate future cargo.
Zinc silicate coating for cargo tankers retains oil-like cargoes and endangers future cargo with contamination. Zinc silicate is not resistant to acids or acid-containing oils.
Stainless steel coatings are four to five times more expensive that other coatings and do not resist chloride-containing cargoes.
Another alternative
If you do not want to go with tank coating you can check into tank linings which as industrial liners made for protection and containment.
Liners are used in many fields as well for systems such as liquid fertilizer containments where it works as a primary leak detector. Many people work with approved liner systems for drinking water wells and waste water containment.