Sump Relining

[MFJewell]

Does anyone have a company they have had good experience with that specializes in relining sumps/tanks? I have a proposal from a vendor to reline them with 316L SS. They are 30’ D x 47’ W x 13.75’ L (5 total). The cost is quite high, so hoping to find an alternative vendors to bid.

 

[MJCronin]

I think that it is reasonable to say that any company that is competent of field fabricating silos, sumps, bins hoppers and tanks are capable of performing the lining. Some time on the phone is necessary ....

I also think that you should consider other materials with similar properties to 317L. Allow the company bidding on the job to bid alternate corrosion resistant materials. Consider using C276 .or other high nickel materials

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[MFJewell]

That is who I have contacted thus far (tank/vessel/etc. fabricators with engineering capabilities).

Also meant 316L, not 317, but I don't think we are married to one material at this point. If somebody proposes a viable alternative, we will consider it. We also have an engineering firm (since it is their cooling tower design that these sumps are part of) overseeing any proposals.

 

[MJCronin]

What is the cooling tower piping material made from ???

Was recent replacement of piping necessary ?

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[LittleInch]

Why a steel liner? There ar emany other lining technologies, but without having some idea of the process conditions ( temp, composition etc, it's a bit vague.

What's the existing material?

Is it leaking or why reline?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[MFJewell]

What is the cooling tower piping material made from ???

Was recent replacement of piping necessary ?

The piping is carbon steel and it in good condition.

Why a steel liner? There are many other lining technologies, but without having some idea of the process conditions ( temp, composition etc, it's a bit vague.

What's the existing material?

Is it leaking or why reline?

It is a cooling tower that is used to remove heat from four 8000 ton chiller units. It is water with standard cooling tower chemical treatment (biocide, pH adjustment, etc.). The temp is slightly higher than atmospheric.

The existing material is a rubber lining applied with adhesive. There are also angle iron strips bolted into the concrete walls that hold it on.

It has been a major hassle since very early on. Multiple repairs have been made, but leakage remains to be an issue. We suspect that the design of the cooling tower basin is partially the problem. The water runs down the basin and drops into these sumps. The velocity of the water is much higher than what the design firm was expecting, so it hits the northern wall (we experience leaks at both the north and south walls). Due to the cost involved to date, SS seems like it may be a viable option to prevent further issues (along with a baffle to stop water from hitting the wall). Nobody in upper management has confidence that an applied coating (spray on, adhesive, etc.) will prevent us from continuing the problem.

 

[nackra]

Combined Sewer Systems have drop shafts that utilize different baffle designs to reduce energy. Also large sewer pump stations have baffles to reduce entrained air and cavitation. It might be something to consider for your significant elevation drop.

http://www.ohiowea.org/docs/Reducing_Overflows_Using_a_Baffling_Solution.pdf

 

[MFJewell]

We typically maintain 10-13 feet of water in the sumps. We have no issues with cavitation. Many of the leaks are above the water line. While hurricane Harvey came through and dumped all that rain, the leakage observed through the weep holes increased, so rain water intrusion seems to be an issue as well. To date, nobody has been able to determine where rain water could be getting behind the liner.