The experts at Ferrous Protection discuss the importance of proper tank linings
A tank lining is a protective coating applied to the internal surfaces of a storage tank or vessel. An effective lining may protect the steel from chemical attack or corrosion, protect the stored product from the steel, or even a combination of both. Tank linings are critical to the integrity of an asset and the product it stores, so it’s crucial to ensure an appropriate lining is applied and maintained. Failure to protect your tank through the application of a suitable lining is likely to:
- Detrimentally impact the quality of your stored product
- Reduce the life of your tank
- Incur significant maintenance or replacement costs
- Increase the risk of loss of containment, posing significant safety and environmental risks and reputational damage
Ferrous Protection has been widely considered an industry leader in the application of solvent-free materials in bulk liquid storage tanks and vessels. Over the years, the company has branched out to offer a range of linings, including epoxy- based tank linings, vessel linings, bund linings and GRP linings, vinyl ester based tank linings, vessel linings, bund linings and GRP linings, and polyurea tank linings.
Replacing Lining For Crude Oil Tank
Ferrous Protection was recently engaged by a leading global mid- and down- stream oil company in the UK to remove the failed existing lining of an 80 m-diameter crude oil storage tank and re-apply a two-component, solvent-free, amine-cured novolac phenolic epoxy lining capable of withstanding product temperatures of up to 120°C.
The company carried out a site survey and planned the project to minimise the risk to personnel and environment so far as was reasonably practicable. Ferrous Protection removed the existing lining using a combination of open nozzle grit blasting and captive blasting using 20E automatic blast machines.
Engineering controls were implemented to maintain the specified atmospheric conditions within the tanks and a suitable holding primer was applied by airless spray to the prepared substrates. Once the primer had been applied and clean conditions had been implemented within the tank, all welds, edges and intricate areas were stripe coated with the specified lining material and a full lining applied to achieve a uniform film over the entire prepared surface area.
The surface area is prepared according to the needs of the new coating being applied. Ferrous Protection can remove any existing lining, coating, rust or paint system and re-apply a brand new protective lining, preventing the need for costly replacement. In this case, once the lining had sufficiently cured, a competent and experienced coatings inspector carried out a holiday detection test, DFT checks and a thorough visual inspection before signing off the works. As well as this, each project is regularly visited by a member of Ferrous Protection’s management team for spot HSQE inspections to ensure the highest levels of safety, professionalism and workmanship are maintained.
The project was delivered on time and budget and the clients project engineer commented: ‘Five stars for Ferrous Protection’s overall project management, technical capability and quality of finished work. I found them to be very knowledgeable, helpful and professional throughout, the QA documentation was prompt and very thorough and the job was done efficiently and to a very high standard with safety and communication being excellent from start to finish.’
Why Choose Ferrous Protection?
Ferrous Protection has extensive experience in applying new tank linings into a wide range of tanks and vessels across the petrochemical, oil and gas and other industries. The company’s extensive use of solvent free coatings enables us to work with increased safety, better sustainability and greatly reduced risk of fire/explosion. The company also offers a variety of support services to allow works to be carried out in situ such as:
- Confined space entry
- Confined space emergency rescue & standby
- Powered access
- Fixed and mobile scaffold access
- Rope and cradle access
- Self-permitting
- Robotic surface preparation & robotic coating application
- Waste containment and responsible disposal
