Benefits of Using Industrial Tank Linings and Why They’re Important

Industrial tanks are used to store everything from alcoholic beverages like beer to petrochemicals, gas, oil, and water for processing. Available in different sizes to accommodate various industrial applications and operations, as well as product volume, these tanks are designed to maintain product purity and prevent contamination from occurring. In order to function properly, however, they need to be properly maintained. That’s why tank linings and polyurea protective coatings in Canada are so important.

Tank linings protect the interior of the unit, whereas protective coatings coat the exterior of the unit to prevent rust, corrosion, and other damages. Compared to the cost of replacing damaged or highly contaminated industrial storage tanks, the cost of simply maintaining and cleaning them is minimal.

Keep reading to learn more about the advantages of tank linings and protective coatings.

What Are Tank Linings?

Industrial storage tanks are typically kept in large open fields or inside factories and manufacturing facilities. As a result, they’re often exposed to various environmental elements and chemicals that have the potential to contaminate or have a dangerously negative reaction with the products, chemicals, or solvents being stored inside through indirect or direct contact.

Worst case scenario, there could be a fire or explosion if certain chemicals or chemical compounds intermingle. At the very least, product contamination could occur, which can result in significant financial losses for the company or municipality.

Tank linings are required to maintain safety standards, reinforce the tank’s ability to keep contaminants out, retain product purity, and above all, prevent corrosion and rust from forming on the inside of the tank. Protective coatings serve the same purpose, except they’re applied to the exterior of the tank.

What Are the Advantages of Tank Lining?

Overexposure to certain elements including something as simple and common as moisture can cause industrial tanks to show signs of wear and tear at heightened rates. Applying an interior tank lining and exterior protective coating can help slow down this process and increase the lifespan and overall performance of your industrial storage tanks. Here are some of the advantages of tank linings and protective coatings.

Corrosion Control and Protection

Tanks often come into contact with high moisture levels, especially if they’re located in large fields or water processing facilities. Constant exposure to water and other elements can lead to rust formations and corrosion over time. Polyurea tank linings and protective coatings have chemical and corrosion-resistant properties to prevent this type of damage from occurring. 

Extend the Lifespan of the Tank

Applying interior tank linings and exterior protective coatings helps extend the lifespan of your industrial storage tanks by preventing certain elements and chemical exposures from causing serious damage. Since your tanks are covered in durable protective layers, these elements won’t make direct contact with the metal or concrete material. Tank linings do eventually wear down, however, and will need to be replaced at some point. But that’s not nearly as bad as having to replace an entire storage tank due to corrosion or chemical exposure.

Easy Application

By that token, it’s important to note how easy it is to apply interior tank linings and exterior protective coatings. There are three main types of industrial tank linings: epoxy, polyurea, and polyurethane. They’re all effective in their own right, but the one you choose will depend on the type of material your tanks are made out of and the products that are being stored inside.

Epoxy and polyurethane are extremely versatile. Dependant on the formulation, they can handle exposure to extremely high temperatures and corrosive environments. Epoxy has been used in wastewater management and crude oil extraction facilities. Polyurethane can be modified to form extremely flexible or hardened membranes depending on the application.

Polyurea applications are arguably the fastest. Polyurea, once sprayed on to the substrate, dries and forms a solid membrane within seconds to minutes and it has the shortest cure time. Boasting unparalleled strength coupled with impressive chemical and abrasion resistance, polyurea has become one of the most commonly recommended tank lining applications available today.

Preventing Water Contamination

Potable, wastewater and raw water storage are the primary uses for industrial storage tanks in Canada. Interior and exterior tank linings and protective coatings prevent water contamination. This ensures that safe drinking water is always made available to local communities of all sizes across the country.

It also ensures that harmful contaminants aren’t introduced into local water systems including lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and other bodies of water. Contaminants can harm our local ecosystem and wildlife, so it’s important to keep them out of our water systems as much as possible. The regulations for wastewater and potable water tank linings are slightly different in that the latter requires greater chemical resistance and the ability to withstand exposure to extreme temperatures, but the function is the same: to provide clean and safe water for drinking and other purposes. 

Eliminating Environmental Concerns

Tank linings prevent chemicals, solvents, and other contaminants from entering into local water systems where they can cause serious harm to aquatic creatures and land animals that rely on them. Unprotected industrial tanks can pose a serious environmental threat. Hazardous chemical reactions can occur if certain elements come into contact with one another and this can have a detrimental environmental impact for which the facility operators are culpable. Salt spray, temperature fluctuations, and corrosion can all cause serious harm to local communities and wildlife. Tank linings are a cost-effective preventative solution and safety measure that all industrial processing facilities should have in place. 

Cost-Effective Protective Coating Solution

Replacing old and damaged storage tanks can be costly. The cost of removing the old storage tank, transporting it to a different facility, then having the new tank delivered and installed can add up. It just makes sense to apply a protective tank lining and coating to minimize these types of hassles and expenditures over time. 

Get High-Quality Tank Linings and Protective Coatings in Canada

IMC Distributors is the exclusive partner of ISOMAT S.A. and Nukote Coating Systems products in Canada. The coatings we supply provide durable long-lasting protection that’s guaranteed to extend the lifespan and maximize the performance of your industrial storage tanks for many years to come. Contact us today to speak to a product specialist.