FRP Tanks
A popular option for storage tanks, FRP tanks are often utilized in applications such as underground fuel storage, pulp bleaching, and chemical processing. In particular, FRP tanks are used to store such materials as: acids, caustics, solvents, jet fuel, motor oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, water, septic, methanol blends, oxygenated motor fuels, AV-gas and much more. They work especially well to store aggressive chemicals that corrode or interact with non-resin materials like stainless steel and titanium. Additional benefits of FRP include low costs, excellent low temperature resistance, low thermal expansion coefficient and high environmental safety. However, although they are an inexpensive tank option, FRP tanks are also difficult to repair if damaged, when compared to the difficulty of repair for other plastic tanks.
Fiberglass reinforced plastic products, including tanks, are manufactured via a couple of different molding processes. The two most common types of molding processes used in order to fabricate FRP tanks are filament winding and contact molding. In filament winding, fiber tows are immersed in a resin bath in which they are coated with either low or medium molecular weight reactants. Next, the newly coated tows are then wound around a mandrel (also known as a mold core) in a controlled pattern. After winding the tows, the resin is then cured, typically through the application of heat. In the contact molding process, a mandrel in the shape of the tank is sprayed with resin on its outer surface. Immediately following the spraying process, reinforcements are added. A corrosion layer is sprayed on and mat or fabric is added as well. After curing, structural layers are applied along with the resin, and once dried, the mandrel (mold) is separated from the newly formed FRP tank. Typically, FRP tanks often have long axis. Vertical tanks are usually used above ground, while horizontal are used underground and for transportation of liquids and chemicals.
