The Client

Our existing customer, Bluestar Fibres, commissioned us to install an advanced resin tank lining system that could withstand the aggressive atmosphere of a hot demineralised water storage tank.

Challenges

• The carbon steel tank had an existing vulcanised rubber lining, which had completely broken down.
• There was severe advanced corrosion and rusting within the tank.
• The tank lining system required would be resistant to demineralised water at 30oC.
• The tank could only be out of service for a very short time.

Before Treatment

Solution

Due to the aggressive environment created by demineralised water, we recommended the use of a glass flake reinforced vinyl ester tank lining system, which would offer low maintenance and a high-performance solution.

This system is also suitable for the lining of general hot water tanks and steam condensate return tanks. To offer greater cost advantages, we advised our client to employ a local company to remove the old lining and to grit blast the internal surfaces of the tank.

The abrasive grit blasting was carried out to our specification and fully inspected. We applied our new tank system by airless spray as a multi-coat system. All nozzles and flange faces were treated with the same system but hand-applied using a brush and trowel. After sufficient curing, it was tested for dry film thickness and the absence of micro-porosity.

After Treatment

To save the client’s costs, we suggested they employ a local company to remove the old lining and grit blast the internal surfaces of the tank to our specification, prior to our arrival on the site.

Once this had been done, we applied the new tank lining system using an airless spray. We used a multi-coat system and, after sufficient hardening, we tested it for dry film thickness and the absence of micro-porosity.

The Results

We completed the project within the agreed five-day programme and the tank was returned to service forty-eight hours later.

In our opinion, without the application of our lining system, the tank may have only had approximately two years of life left. Following the completion of these works, this tank should have at least another ten years of useful life.