Wastewater treatment facilities, and sewage tanks in particular, are constantly exposed to chemicals and materials reacting with one another to induce corrosive processes. When these corrosive interactions go on unabated, even the best anti corrosive coatings may eventually fail. And when there is a failure of anti corrosive coatings in these sewage tanks, structural degradation will consequently happen.
Although there are great challenges in anti corrosion repairs, early detection and diagnosis, and an accurate intervention plan, greatly helps in long-term avoidance of even more repair costs. What would the repair plan contain?
First, and very basic, is to conduct a thorough surface preparation. The goal is to clean the affected surface and remove dirt and contaminants that can hinder the anti corrosive coatings application process. Coatings adhere poorly to surfaces riddled with dirt. To get rid of dirt, abrasive blasting is the most common cleanup method. In cases when there are already pock-marks in the surface, filler materials must be smoothened over the surface prior to actual anti corrosive coatings application.
The tank lining should offer effective barrier protection, hence should be composed of fast-setting cement-based formulations and elastomeric urethane-based coatings. Any anti corrosive coatings system chosen for tank repair must be applied with strict observance of the instructions contained in the manufacturer’s data sheet. Needless to say, these anti corrosive coatings must be imbued with high resistance against toxicity, and should be quick and easy to apply.
