Industrial tank maintenance is much more than a corrective activity: it's a preventative strategy that ensures operational continuity, product quality, and equipment lifespan. In industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics, a failure can mean everything from economic losses to regulatory risks. This Falco article guides you through the essentials you need to consider to keep your tanks in optimal condition.
There are three main approaches:
It consists of scheduled periodic inspections to prevent failures. It includes interior cleaning, valve inspection, and inspection of welds, connections, joints, and the condition of thermal insulation.
It's performed after a failure has already occurred. It can involve anything from weld repairs to component replacement or internal polishing due to wear.
It applies technical tests to anticipate possible failures, such as non-destructive testing (NDT), thickness measurement, roughness, and pressure tests.
Each type of tank has different needs. Here are some key tests to perform:
| Tank type | Recommended tests |
|---|---|
| Pressure tanks (ASME) | Hydrostatic testing, penetrant testing, ultrasonic thickness testing |
| Sanitary tanks | Roughness inspection, interior finish, CIP cleaning |
| Storage tanks | Structural verification, valves, covers, connections |
| Reactors or with agitation | Inspection of seals, agitator, bearings, mechanical alignment |
Drop in thermal performance
Visible corrosion or wear on welds
Leaks in valves or connections
Abnormal noises in equipment with agitation
Difficulty in meeting health or quality standards
Implement a frequently documented program by equipment type
Train staff in basic inspection and warning signs
Perform tests with qualified personnel and certified tools
Keep a technical history of the tank (maintenance log)
Maintaining industrial tanks not only extends their useful life, but also protects your production, ensures regulatory compliance, and reduces the risk of unexpected downtime. At Falco Latinoamericana , we manufacture robust equipment and offer technical assistance to help you keep it in top condition.
ASME. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2023.
API Standard 653. Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction. American Petroleum Institute, 2020.
Mukherjee, M. (2021). Maintenance Planning and Scheduling in Process Plants. Journal of Industrial Maintenance, 32(1), 45–62.
Smith, R. & Hinchcliffe, G. (2017). RCM—Gateway to World Class Maintenance. Elsevier.