Storage is an important aspect of any industry, and this often involves liquids, anything from crude oil to potable water to insecticides, and creating these chemicals also means having a way to store it. Tanks of many shapes and sizes are used by public services, factories, and other manufacturers so that liquids can be stored for later use, or else transported or delivered to a customer. But some tank contents are either very sensitive or very dangerous, and this means that not just any type of tank material will do. Liner products can be used on the inside of a storage tank to make sure that the contents are not contaminated, and in some cases, custom linings or industrial tank liners will be installed so that the powerful contents to not dissolve or breach the tank itself and cause a disaster. Some tank linings are plastic, vinyl, or similar materials, such as for potable water. Other times, a tough metal like electroless nickel tank liners will be needed for the job. What can electroless nickel tank liners do? How can tank stay safe and leak-free?
Safe Storage
There are some federal guidelines about the construction, installation, and use of storage tanks, for the safety of those near the tank and those who want to obtain the products inside. Often, it is the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, that sets such guidelines so that tanks to not rupture and spill dangerous contents everywhere. For example, the EPA has a list of 140 chemicals that, when stored in large enough quantities, will require their owners to submit a “risk management plan” to federal regulators so that the chances of a disaster are minimized. Often, it may be a tank that uses electroless nickel tank liners that will contain such powerful and dangerous contents, such as various industrial chemicals. Electroless nickel tank liners are made of electroless nickel, meaning that this tough metal is extremely resistant to corrosion or breaches, making it ideal for tanks of contents like chemicals, crude oil, or anything else. Regular metal such as steel might dissolve over time, and no one wants that.
There are some other guidelines as well for the safe storage of materials inside tanks. Often, these tanks are partially or fully underground to get them out of the way and minimize the risks of accidents, vandalism, or sabotage breaching them. To this effect, the federal government defines an underground storage tank, or an UST, as any tank or system of tanks that is connected to underground piping and has at least 10% of the combined volumes underground. A typical underground tank can last for about 20 years, but this may vary based on the tank’s construction, the quality of installation, and of course the contents, which can range from potable water to insecticide. Regular maintenance and inspection of these tanks can help give owners an early warning about developing problems such as corrosion, and this can help prevent a leak and also extend the tank’s overall lifespan. This can save everyone involved a lot of hassle. And finally, owners of such tanks should note that farm and residential storage tanks that contain 1,100 gallons or fewer of motor fuel for noncommercial purposes are not actually subject to federal regulation, according to the EPA.
If tanks contain water, it may not be necessary to use electroless nickel tank liners to keep the tank safe, as water is certainly not corrosive. Such tanks might be made out of regular steel and related products, but since this water is intended for human use, lining must be installed to protect not the tank itself, but consumers. Every single water tank whose water is intended for human consumption is required to have protective coatings and linings in it, and this can help keep the water pure and keep out biological or non-biological contaminants that could cause a public health issue. Such lining should be regularly inspected and replaced if need be, to prevent a public health problem that could result in fines or other penalties to the negligent tank’s owner. Such tanks may often be connected to the public utilities and water treatment plants.