In recent years, underground fiberglass tanks have been used to store gasoline and other fuels at service stations. This invention relates to fiberglass tanks, specifically those used in underground applications to hold gasoline and other volatile substances. Many metal tanks installed in recent years have begun to leak due to corrosion and are being replaced with fiberglass tanks due to the inherent resistance of fiberglass to moisture-caused corrosion in underground applications.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed that lead be phased out as an octane-boosting additive in gasoline. In order to maintain sufficiently high octane ratings for gasoline, the industry will need to mix some other additive with it.

One likely candidate for such a gasoline additive is methyl alcohol or methanol, which is a byproduct of the gasoline distillation process and could be easily added to the finished product. One issue with using methanol as an additive in gasoline and storing it in fiberglass tanks is that methanol is an aggressive solvent that will react with the fiberglass, causing deterioration of the fiberglass tank wall from the inside even though the fiberglass is resistant to exterior corrosion.

The methanol also has an affinity for water, which tends to collect in underground tanks, and the combination of the methanol and water creates an even more aggressive solvent that deteriorates the walls of the fiberglass tank, resulting in leaks and failures in the underground tank.

The present invention seeks to provide a fiberglass tank, primarily for use in underground applications for the storage of gasoline and other volatile materials, that is resistant to deterioration of the tank walls due to the solvent’s volatility.

Fiberglass reinforced plastic tanks have become a staple for storage requirements of all kinds, from farming to commercial industries to niche storage needs. And it’s no surprise; the product’s versatility and longevity speak for themselves! But what makes fiberglass-reinforced tanks superior to other materials such as steel or concrete for storage?

Concrete vs. fibreglass

Concrete has been used for decades in the construction of storage tanks, both above ground, and underground. It has some limitations as a construction material.

• Concrete tanks are available in factory precast models and, for capacities greater than 4,000 gal., are typically formed and constructed in the field, rather than in the preferred factory-controlled manufacturing environment.
• A one-piece, factory-manufactured fiberglass tank takes much less time to install, saving you money.
• Concrete is a very heavy material that makes it difficult to ship and handle on job sites while also increasing the cost of installation.
• While concrete is a strong material, the flat-tank top design of a buried concrete tank is typically not rated for traffic load conditions, necessitating a design upgrade that increases the cost.
• Concrete is susceptible to aggressive corrosive attacks, necessitating the use of an expensive liner as a preventative measure. Concrete cracking typically exposes the steel reinforcement to corrosion, compromising the structure.
• A lot of designers are worried about concrete tanks cracking and leaking. Water tanks used in a fire suppression system must be watertight, giving the owner confidence that water supplies will be available when needed.

Steel vs. fiberglass

Steel, like concrete, has been used for decades to build aboveground and underground storage tanks. Nonetheless, when used to construct water storage tanks, steel has some drawbacks.

• One significant advantage of fiberglass over steel storage tanks is that metal cannot match the rust and corrosion resistance of composites. Corrosion is a major issue with underground storage tanks. Steel tanks are frequently internally and externally lined or coated to address corrosion vulnerability, which not only adds to the cost but also raises long-term maintenance concerns.
• Weight is another advantage of fiberglass tanks over steel tanks. When comparing fiberglass and steel storage tanks, steel can weigh up to four times that of a fiberglass tank, increasing installation costs and posing limitations in difficult-to-access locations.

Polyethylene vs. fiberglass

Polyethylene does not have the same long history of use in storage tank construction as steel or concrete, but it does provide better corrosion resistance. However, when compared to fiberglass, there are some drawbacks.

• Underground fiberglass tanks are not subject to the many limitations that poly tanks are subject to in terms of common installation conditions such as groundwater tables, burial depths, and traffic loads.
• Poly tanks are generally limited in capacity due to structural design considerations. Underground tank models, for example, are typically limited to much smaller capacities than what is required for typical fire protection tank installations, necessitating the manifolding of many small tanks to achieve the required storage capacity. This incurs additional costs and is less desirable than fewer large tanks.

The applications for a fiberglass reinforced tank are nearly limitless. Fiberglass tanks are much lighter than steel or concrete tanks, making insulation much easier and faster, which is why you should consider purchasing the best from frp tank manufacturers in India.