Riveted bulk storage tanks are prone to leakage over time, especially around rivet heads and joint areas. The internal sealants originally used to make these joints watertight can degrade due to age, chemical exposure, or mechanical stress. This degradation may lead to leaks of hazardous materials, posing risks such as environmental contamination, structural compromise, and significant economic loss due to downtime or repairs.
In this case, one of our trusted installation partners were engaged by their client to address sealing failures within riveted sodium nitrate storage tanks. The tanks featured a concrete floor and a riveted steel shell. The existing rubber sealant was visibly deteriorating, particularly at the rivet lines and the critical floor-to-shell joint.
The repair solution required a system that would bond effectively to both concrete and steel, remain chemically compatible with sodium nitrate, and offer long-term flexibility and adhesion.
Presserv recommended a durable sealing system incorporating the following STOPAQ® products:
- STOPAQ® Paste CZ – Applied around individual rivets and extended vertically to the top of the first strake. Also applied as a transitional fillet and watertight seal around the floor-to-shell transition.
- STOPAQ® Wrappingband EZLT – A continuous, viscoelastic seal was installed over the floor-to-shell joint and riveted areas, providing robust protection up to the top of the first strake.
To enhance mechanical protection and chemical resistance:
- A fast-curing epoxy resin concrete sealant was used to seal the concrete tank floor.
- A Flexible solvent-free epoxy phenolic lining system as a mechanical and chemical protective overcoat for the STOPAQ® system.
The STOPAQ sealing solution, applied to an excellent standard in challenging but carefully controlled site conditions, delivered a fully bonded, long-lasting, durable, maintenance-free internal sealing system. The STOPAQ® products ensured a flexible, watertight seal, preventing future leaks and prolonging the life of the storage tanks—restoring structural integrity and protecting both the stored product and the environment.