3 Questions You Need to Answer Before Buying Industrial Fiberglass Tanks
Industrial Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) tanks are a popular option with many companies and agencies because of their strength, versatility, and durability. They are engineered to withstand immense fluid pressure and are a fantastic option when it comes to storing corrosive materials.
Considering FRP tanks are custom-engineered, it’s important to be aware of exactly what your requirements are. In order to get the right kind of FRP tanks for your business operation, consider asking these questions before making a decision.
What Kind of Tank Designs are There?
The three most common FRP tank designs are flat-bottom, dish-bottom, and cone-bottom. Compared to cone-bottom tanks of the same diameter and height, flat-bottom tanks can hold a larger volume of product. They are best suited for when you need to refill them with the same product. However, flat-bottom tanks are notorious for being ill-suited when it comes to removing fluid from them. This is particularly an issue when you use liquids of higher viscosities.
On the other hand, cone-bottom tanks are a great option for holding different fluids. This is due to the fact that their walls taper towards the bottom’s center and allows complete drainage and easy tank cleaning between fillings. However, the tapered walls also mean it will have less storage capacity than a flat-bottom tank of the same height and diameter.
Dish-bottom tanks incorporate aspects of both cone-bottom and flat-bottom tanks. They have a slope at the center of about 3 to 6 inches. They have a higher capacity than cone-bottom tanks but slightly lower capacity than flat-bottom ones.
What Tank Sizes Will I Need?
The first thing you need to assess how much space you have for tanks. In many cases, your storage capacities are limited by the size of your building. While one large tank will, in all likelihood, take up less surface area than two small tanks, it is possible that it will take close to twice the containment area that two smaller tanks would need. A larger tank will also have a taller height than two smaller ones.
Which Materials Will They Be Able to Hold?
It’s important to understand that the resins used to produce a particular FRP tank are specifically designed for use with a group of certain chemicals. The resins used for storing fertilizer are different from the ones used for pesticides. In addition to the resin, the wall structure and corrosion liner may also vary depending on the material it will hold. It’s crucial that you go over all the possible materials the tank may hold over its lifetime and let your manufacturer know before settling on any one kind.
If you need professional fiberglass surface coating or field welding services, contact us today. We are an industry-leading fiberglass tank repair company since 1976. Request a quote or call (386) 758-0057.