Custom Stainless Steel Tank | Water Treatment Case Study
Let’s dive into the details and see how Astro Metal Craft successfully fabricated one of our latest projects – a custom stainless steel tank for water treatment!
Challenge: Fabricating for Integration of Complex Piping Manifold
Our client required a heavy-duty stainless steel water purification unit designed to serve as a central connection point for piping, valves, fittings, and face piping used in a larger water treatment and filtration system.
The system needed to integrate seamlessly with the facility’s existing water treatment infrastructure while meeting strict water and corrosion-resistance standards.
Key challenges included:
- Fabricating a large a tank from thick 3/8” stainless steel measuring 10’ x 10’ x 8’.
- Achieving precise dimensional control by seam welding multiple plates together to form the final tank structure.
- Integrating a complex network of external face piping, flanges, valves, and connection points to match the existing plant piping layout.
- Meeting stringent hygiene and water purity requirements, especially at all internal weld seams.
- Ensuring long-term corrosion resistance by properly removing heat tint and restoring the stainless steel’s passive layer after welding.
- Incorporating aluminum access walkways that had to be structurally attached to the side of the tank for safe operation and maintenance.
Because this unit would be used in a water treatment environment, any contamination, corrosion, or microbiological growth could compromise both system performance and water quality.
Solution: A Custom Stainless Steel Tank for Water Treatment
The tank was fabricated from 3/8” thick 316 stainless steel plates, selected for its superior corrosion resistance and suitability for water treatment applications. Individual plates were precision fit and seam welded to achieve the required 10’ x 10’ x 8’ final assembly while maintaining structural rigidity and dimensional accuracy.
All internal welds were:
- Brushed and wire-finished to remove heat tint, oxides, and surface contaminants
- Cleaned to restore the chromium-rich passive layer of the stainless steel
- Prepared to minimize the risk of corrosion, pitting, and Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)
Although the interior surfaces did not require a cosmetic finish, every internal weld was treated to meet water hygiene and corrosion-resistance standards.
The exterior of the tank received a brush-blasted finish, providing a clean, uniform industrial appearance and added surface durability.
A complete system of external face piping was fabricated and welded onto the tank to match the existing plant layout. This custom stainless steel tank included:
- Flanges
- Process piping connections
- Interfaces for valves and control components
In addition, custom aluminum walkways were fabricated to provide safe access for operators during inspection, maintenance, and system changeovers.
Speaking of inspections and maintenance, check out this video to see some behind the scene footage of our tank inspection.
Result: Functional Industrial Stainless Steel Water Tank
The completed custom stainless steel tank resulted is a highly-reliable and low-maintenance vessel for our customer. The tank meets stringent industry regulations while incorporating complex piping, valving, and filtration functions into a single, efficient unit.
Key outcomes included:
- A heavy-duty 316 stainless steel tank capable of long-term service in a demanding water treatment environment
- Fully integrated face piping and connection points, simplifying installation and system operation
- Hygienic, corrosion-resistant internally finished welds that protect water purity and system longevity
- Safe, convenient access via integrated aluminum walkways
Interested in learning more about our Custom Stainless Steel Tank options? Visit our website or contact us today.
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