How to Line a Transport Tank
Transport tanks carry a wide variety of products. The decision to line a transport tank is based upon the type of product the transport truck hauls. Certain food products, such as milk, are shipped in stainless steel tanks or mild steel tanks with an epoxy lining. Other products, especially those caustic in nature, are shipped in tanks lined with a material that does not react to the commodity shipped. Types of linings include rubber or fluoropolymer sheets, epoxy or zinc silicate paint. Procedures for cleaning tanks are also taken into consideration when selecting a lining method.
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Things You'll Need
- Sand-blasting equipment
- Lining sheets or paint
- Adhesive for lining sheets
- Bonding agent for lining sheets
Instructions
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Rubber and Fluoropolymer Sheet Linings
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1
Sand blast or acid etch the metal surface to be coated. If you acid etch the metal surface, follow the etching with degreasing using trichloroethylene.
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2
Prepare adhesive according to manufacturer's directions. Apply adhesive to the metal surface. Allow the adhesive to set for the recommended length of time before applying lining sheets
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3
Apply unvulcanized rubber or fluoropolymer sheeting to metal surfaces placing sheets side by side. Follow instructions of sheet lining manufacturer.
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4
Vulcanize the rubber-covered tank in a steam autoclave to bond the rubber to the metal. Follow the instructions of the autoclave manufacturer for temperature, steam, pressure, length of time in the cycle and other considerations as indicated. Thermoplastically weld fluoropolymer linings to the metal using weld rods of the same polymer as the sheet lining, according to the Solvay Solexis website.
High-Duty Paint Systems
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5
Blast the clean tank to at least Sa 2 1/2. The Sa designation indicates the degree of roughness of the blasted surface. The degree 2 1/2 refers to a near-white surface, according to finishing.com.
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6
Apply primer according to manufacturer's instructions. Zinc silicate paint can be used for this purpose, but do not use zinc silicate in tanks that carry flight fuel. When using zinc silicate, apply at a thickness of 75 to 200 micrometers.
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7
Line the tank by painting it with coal-tar epoxy, polyurethane-tar epoxy or epoxy resin. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Apply the epoxy coatings to a thickness of 250 micrometers.
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Tips & Warnings
Paint used to line food-carrying transport tanks must not contaminate the food. The paint should be odorless and contribute no color, taste or toxic elements to the food.
Airing out the tank or waiting a specified length of time before filling with fresh cargo is necessary with certain commodities.
References
Resources
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