15 storage tanks repaired in a refinery
Industry: Chemical & Petrochemical (PETR)
Application: TCC-Tanks and Chemical Containment Areas (TCC)
Substrate: Other
Customer Location: Spain
Application Date:
Products: Belzona 3211 (Lagseal),Belzona 3921 (GSC Surface Conditioner)
Problem: The client was experiencing a problem with 15 storage tanks where the base was in very poor condition, resulting in water ingress and requiring a new encapsulation.
Tank base after the Belzona 3211 application.
Application Situation
We recommended Belzona 3211 reinforced with 9321 and the conditioner 3921. The client chose Belzona due to the technical support presented, the demonstrated experience of our company, and Belzona 3211 key benefits: fire resistance, easy mixing and application by brush, solvent-free, no hot work involved, hygienic finish, excellent oil resistance, not affected by temperature fluctuations and vibrations, and resistance to water, vapor erosion, infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
Application Method
The application procedure of Belzona 3211 membrane has been common for all 15 tanks and followed the recommendations of the Belzona GSS3 System.
First both the surface and the base of the tank were cleaned with solvent to remove any remaining grease. As the refinery is an ATEX area, wire brushes have been used for areas more severely affected by corrosion. Then, Belzona 3921 conditioner was applied. Where a very large unevenness was observed at the transition between the tank and the floor, expansion foam was applied. Next Belzona 9431 tape was placed at the metal-concrete transition to absorb tank movements, followed by the application of the first layer of Belzona 3211, then reinforcing sheet, and in the overcoat window the second layer of Belzona 3211. A visual inspection of the application was carried out around the entire perimeter of the tank.
Belzona Facts
A bidding process took place between several companies in which extensive technical and supportive documentation had to be provided. Doing so and making a strong case by stressing the quality of the products, the amount of supportive technical documentation and a vast array of previous successful applications of the repair rather than the price (the customer made clear that they were prepared to pay for the better solution), the client decided for the Belzona solution.
