9 Recommendations For A Perfect Tank Lining Application

Tank linings are surprisingly finicky! A missed edge, a dry film thickness that is too light or too thick will manufacture a wealth of problems for tanks and their linings, including premature failure. Tank corrosion, process downtime, and contamination are all costly effects of a poorly done tank lining. In this post, we’ll discuss 9 recommendations for a perfect tank lining application, so your next tank lining project is a success!

1. TANK DESIGN AND FABRICATION

Proper tank design, chemical addition ports, heating coils, internal stiffeners, etc. all play a role in ease of application and service life.

2. LINING SELECTION

It’s simple: A proper lining selection can’t be made without knowing the exposure, chemical composition, temperature, process cycles, chemical additions (if any), cleaning procedures, expected application and curing conditions, and surface prep requirements and capabilities.

3. SURFACE PREPARATION

If shortcuts are taken for proper tank surface preparation, expect early failure. Sharp edges, weld treatment, cleanliness and profile are critical to long-term performance.

4. APPLICATION

A skilled and properly trained crew is vital to success. Proper equipment, mixing, abiding by re-coat and curing schedules, and using supplemental heat or dehumidification will help ensure a good quality application.

5. CURING AND PROCESS CONDITIONS

The chemical resistance properties of a lining is dictated by the curing conditions (temperature and time). For most linings, this is a chemical reaction driven by formulation, time, and temperature. Compromising one or more of these will drastically reduce performance and service life.

6. INSPECTION

Evaluating the cure, catching missed areas during plant downtime, low dry film thickness, excessive film thickness, poor surface prep, etc. will ensure a good quality lining and extend the service life under which the lining was selected.

7. REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

It isn’t uncommon to make minor repairs before the tank is put back into service. Just count on it. It is well worth the time and expense to fix problems immediately before the tank goes into service. Making repairs at this stage is less expensive than after the lining has failed.

8. DOCUMENTATION

Document, document, document! If there’s a problem later, you’ll want this information to shed light about why the problem may have occurred in the first place, or to eliminate variables that were believed to cause the failure. Record batch numbers, equipment used, ambient conditions, surface prep details, application reports, curing records and post lining tests.

9. SAFETY

Always follow safety procedures for lining applications. Tank linings are a confined space procedure and are critical service applications. Cutting corners, whether in material selection or application, is a recipe for disaster. A ruined commodity, process downtime, and relines can be expensive.

Take heed in this simple piece of advice from Carboline – a supplier of coatings, linings, and fireproofing solutions:

“A good supplier understands linings, conducts testing to verify performance, recommends the proper lining for the application and provides the needed field support for a successful application. A supplier that has a rich history of lining experience is a partner that cannot be overemphasized. Understanding why linings fail and how to prevent failures is a warranty that makes its own promise. When it comes to linings, do it right or don’t do it at all.”

You can rely on the Corrosion Resistant Product team at Crane Engineering to provide proper coating specification, timely installation, and strategic solutions for a wide range of coating applications, including tank and containment linings, tank exteriors, process area and decorative flooring.