How to Select a Cement Tank
Whether you’re looking for a way to store drinking water, irrigation water or stock water, you need a reliable tank. You should consider the pros and cons of both concrete and plastic tanks before deciding on one.
A cement tank is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a safe and hygienic storage option. It will help keep your water at a neutral Ph level.
Durability
The durability of a concrete tank depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of concrete used and the conditions in which it is placed. Often, the best way to protect your concrete tank is to build it correctly in the first place.
A cement tank can last for many decades if it is properly designed and maintained. However, there are some problems that can reduce its longevity, including corrosion of reinforcing steel embedded in the concrete.
When dissolved salts in the water or wastewater come into contact with the steel, it will corrode. This can lead to the deterioration of the concrete and the loss of structural integrity of the tank.
Likewise, the presence of acidic water or wastewater can dissolve the cement matrix that holds the aggregate in the concrete, causing the concrete to degrade. In addition, the wet-dry cycling that occurs between the high and low water marks of a concrete tank can exacerbate this problem.
Another factor that contributes to the deterioration of concrete is the presence of waterborne silt, sand and gravel. These materials can erode the surface of the concrete and damage its ability to hold up to abrasions.
Finally, if the tank is located in an area that is susceptible to severe weather, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, it may crack or break under the stress of intense wind and rain. In these cases, it’s best to use a different material, such as plastic, for the storage of your drinking water.
While concrete is very resilient, it’s not as tough as metal or polyethylene. It can only handle up to about three feet of weight before it breaks or warps, and owners should be careful not to drive over their tanks or place too much weight on the top of them.
If you are deciding between a plastic or concrete septic tank, make sure to ask the professionals about the specific strengths and weaknesses of each material. They’ll be able to help you decide which one is right for you and your family.
A concrete septic tank will typically last for about 30 years, while a plastic tank will usually last for around 40 years. This is a big difference, and it’s important to keep in mind that there are pros and cons to both materials.
Ease of Maintenance
Concrete tanks are a great option for storing drinking water, but they don’t last forever and need regular maintenance. They are prone to leaks, cracks and erosion, which can be expensive to repair. The severity of deterioration can also depend on the location and design of the tank.
A recent project in Vergennes, Vermont, illustrates how difficult and costly it can be to repair concrete tanks that have reached their lifespan. In this case, the tank was experiencing leaks from cracking, spalling and joints that had separated.
These problems often become worse over time, and the repair process can be pricey if a homeowner has to hire contractors to dig into the concrete and seal it up. It can cement tank also be difficult to find a contractor who has experience with older concrete tanks and the expertise to repair them properly.
The best way to prevent deterioration is to make sure that the tank is regularly inspected and maintained. It should be inspected at least once every two years by an independent inspector.
This inspection should determine what type of maintenance is needed to ensure that the tank remains in good condition. Some water works choose to hire a maintenance company to perform yearly inspections and maintenance for them.
In addition to inspecting the tank, the inspection process should include testing for microbial growth and other potential health concerns. It’s not uncommon for microbial conditions to become invisible, but tests can help owners get to the root of problems before they escalate.
When the tank is emptied for any reason, including inspection or painting, it must be thoroughly disinfected and cured before it can be put back into service. This disinfecting and curing procedure helps to prevent microbial spores from getting into the water.
One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to use an epoxy coating that will withstand water and chlorine vapors. These paints are a little more expensive than the original coating, but they can save owners money in the long run.
If you have a cement tank and would like to know how to keep it healthy, call the experts at DN Tanks CTS for advice on inspecting, rehabilitation or retrofit options. Our team can provide a solution that fits your needs and budget.
Energy Efficiency
The energy consumption of a cement plant is significant, which is why companies are looking for ways to improve their efficiency. For example, replacing inefficient equipment with cement tank better-performing ones is a great way to reduce the energy usage of a cement plant.
Moreover, some of the most innovative technologies are able to reduce energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency and lowering carbon emissions. These technologies include staged preheaters, precalciners, and dry-process kilns.
However, these technologies have to be installed and operated properly in order to ensure efficient operations. This requires the implementation of adequate maintenance and training programs. In addition, it is important to know how the machines work in order to control their performance and optimize the production of cement.
Cement is one of the most energy-intensive industries on earth. It consumes around 100 kWh of electricity for every ton of production.
In the United States, for example, the cement industry has been implementing a number of energy-saving measures to increase its capacity and improve efficiency. Some of these measures are based on solar energy.
Other technologies include clinker substitution with alternative materials and fuels such as fly ash and blast furnace slag. These strategies aim to reduce the clinker-to-cement ratio, which can contribute to deep emission reductions in the Net Zero Scenario.
The development and deployment of these new technologies can be difficult. There are many barriers that must be overcome to bring these innovations to market, including securing supply chains and markets for substitute raw materials. This is a key challenge in China, where most of the world’s cement is produced and where there are extensive resources of alternative raw materials in local stockpiles.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a key factor when selecting the right cement tank for your project. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available to choose from that offer excellent environmental benefits.
Metal tanks, for example, can be made from zinccalume or colorbond metals that will hold up to decades of service and are fully recyclable at the end of their life. Stainless steel is another material that can be recycled into new products, and it’s one of the greenest building materials around.
Concrete is also a great choice for water tanks because it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It’s durable, rot-resistant and is also extremely flexible.
If you’re considering purchasing a concrete tank, you should look for a company that uses concrete based on eco-friendly materials like recycled cement and biodegradable concrete mix. This will help to reduce the amount of waste that is created in the production process.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the concrete tank is insulated properly. This will prevent it from leaking, saving you money and energy in the long run.
The insulation should be a good quality, thick enough to withstand the elements, but not too heavy so that it will be difficult to carry and transport. It should also be made of a non-toxic, durable and long-lasting material.
In addition, the cement tank should be constructed using low-cost and reusable materials. This can include reclaimed materials from previous projects, or even old construction materials.
If your new concrete tank is being used for storage of water, it’s a great idea to check its moisture content every few months. If the moisture level is too high, it may be time to replace it with a new one.
This can be done by taking a moisture meter to the site and checking to see if there is any significant change in the water level, or if the concrete is starting to crack and leak. This is a very easy and inexpensive way to avoid costly repairs in the future.
It’s also a good idea to consider the toxicity of the materials that are being used to make the cement tank. Most of these tanks will be disposed of in landfill, so it’s important to choose materials that won’t contain harmful chemicals.
