By: Steve Freed, Induron Regional Sales Manager
Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) recently manufactured and installed a new 1-million-gallon elevated tank for Tidewater Utilities, Inc. in Frankford, Delaware. Beacon Engineering was selected as the specifying engineer on the project, and Mumford Bjorkman Associates performed the inspection.
The project challenges
Frankford, Delaware is located within 5 miles of Delaware beaches, so the ocean air and its high salt content make this tank’s environment highly corrosive. Plus, because the tank is located in a tourist area, aesthetic appeal was also a concern when selecting a coatings solution. While painting this tank through the fall and winter presented other challenges, CB&I was well-prepared to meet any environmental challenge to complete this tank in a timely manner.
The coatings solution
Beacon Engineering specified Induron’s PermaClean-100 as the interior topcoat and Induron’s Permagloss Fluorourethane as the exterior topcoat.
Perma-Clean 100 is a fast-curing, 100% solids epoxy tank lining formulated for potable water applications. It provides enhanced edge retention, which improves corrosion protection on corners and sharp angles. Plus, as a high-build coating, it may be applied up to 50 mils DFT per coat. Competitive products are not enhanced with ceramic pigment into an amine-cured epoxy resin for maximum corrosion protection of immersed substrates and can take up to 7 days or longer to cure for full immersion service. Formulated specifically for protecting steel and concrete for potable water immersion, Perma-Clean 100 becomes dry to walk on in 10 hours at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows for quicker inspection times, and can be placed into immersion service in 72 hours at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
Permagloss Fluorourethane is a two-component, high gloss, fluoropolymer resin-based urethane coating. The combination of the tank’s harsh coastal environment and prominent resort location made Permagloss Fluorourethane an ideal top coat selection as it offers best-in-class color and gloss retention guaranteeing long-term aesthetic appeal.
Because this project was such a success, CB&I will move a few miles up the road to Lewes, Delaware near Rehoboth Beach to manufacture, install and paint another 1-million-gallon tank this spring with the same coatings system.