Firewater Tank
Project Summary: Field Blasting and Coatings for Westrock API 650 Firewater Storage Tank
This project focused on field surface preparation and applying a Carboline protective coating system to an API 650 Firewater storage tank for enhanced, long-term corrosion protection and compliance with industry standards. The process began with shop blasting all new plate to an SSPC-SP10 standard and field blasting of welds and damaged coatings post-fabrication and erection. Before blasting, all surfaces were thoroughly cleaned by degreasing, pressure washing, and applying Corr-Ze 100 salt remover to remove contaminants from both interior and exterior areas.
To achieve the required cleanliness and profile, medium crushed glass was chosen as the abrasive blast media. This step, essential for optimal coating adhesion, was carried out under controlled conditions to limit dust and environmental impact. Interior blasting used a DH/AC combo unit and dust collector for environment control, while exterior blasting utilized wet slurry abrasive blasting with Holdtight 102 Flash rust inhibitor to attain a near-white blast standard and prevent flash rust.
After blasting, a robust multi-layer coating system was applied, selected specifically for the tank’s environmental and operational demands. The exterior coating system included Carboline 859 Zinc primer followed by two coats of Carboguard 890. For the interior coating, we applied Carboline 859 Zinc primer and two full coats of Hydraplate 1080, an NSF-certified tank lining. All coats were applied with airless spray equipment to achieve consistent coverage and specified dry film thickness, with additional stripe coating using brushes and rollers to cover edges, weld seams, and complex areas. Each layer was cured per manufacturer specifications, with quality inspections conducted by our in-house QA team and independent NACE inspectors at key checkpoints.
The project was delivered on time, adhering to OSHA and plant safety protocols, and included comprehensive inspections and documentation. The result is a tank prepared for safe, long-term use with thorough protection."
