RCA-5 Project: Sealing of Tank Chimes

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Project Data

Project Details

AGC commissioned the construction of 13 new aboveground storage tanks, of various sizes, at their facility in Rayong, Thailand. The largest tanks measure approximately 30 metres in diameter. Long-term corrosion prevention at the critical tank chime area was a key requirement to ensure structural integrity and avoid costly repairs and maintenance in the future.

The scope involved the sealing and protection of the tank chime area for the newly constructed tanks, with a focus on:

• Preventing the ingress of water, oxygen and contaminants into the chime gap.
• Providing a flexible yet durable sealant system that accommodates tank settlement and movement.
• Delivering a solution with minimal surface preparation requirements, reducing downtime and labour costs.

Solution

Gas & Gear Solutions Co. Ltd. – an authorised distributor for Denso’s Viscotaq^™ products in Thailand – supplied the Viscotaq^™ Tank Chime Sealing System, comprising:

• ViscoSealant^™ and ViscoMastic^™: A conformable, non-hardening viscoelastic sealant and mastic used to fill the tank chime gap, providing a watertight barrier between the annular plate and the concrete foundation of the tank.

• Viscotaq^™ EZ Wrap: A viscoelastic coating with a paintable topcoat backing. Designed for easy application, it forms a continuous corrosion prevention layer over the ViscoSealant.

• Polyurethane Topcoat: Applied over the Viscotaq EZ Wrap to provide added UV stability and extended service life in outdoor conditions.

Application Process

1. Surface Preparation: The chime area was cleaned to remove loose debris, dust and contaminants.
2. Sealant Application: ViscoSealant was pressed into the chime gap and ViscoMastic was applied to ensure complete void filling and sealing.
3. Wrapping: Viscotaq EZ Wrap was applied and overlapped from the tank shell to the annular plate and over to the concrete foundation, ensuring a tight overlap and full substrate coverage.
4. Topcoating: The Polyurethane coating was applied as a final protective layer to enhance UV resistance.

Project Outcomes

1. Effective Sealing: Achieved a watertight, oxygen-impermeable seal at the tank chime interface.
2. Long-term Protection: The viscoelastic system ensures long-lasting performance even under minor substrate movements.
3. Reduced Maintenance: Minimal future intervention is anticipated, lowering long-term operations costs.
4. Client Satisfaction: AGC recognised the solution as a durable and efficient corrosion prevention system for their new tank farm.

Conclusion

The Denso Viscotaq Tank Chime Sealing System successfully addressed AGC’s corrosion prevention needs for their RCA-5 project.