GFS Tanks
GFS tanks, short for "Glass-Fused-to-Steel Tanks," are advanced storage tank structures. The term "Glass-Fused-to-Steel" reflects its material characteristics, combining the strength of steel with the corrosion resistance of glass. GFS tanks are created by fusing special glass powder to the surface of the steel body, forming a robust, corrosion-resistant glass layer tightly bonded to the steel. This structure imparts corrosion resistance, high strength, and a long lifespan to the tank.
Structure and Material Features of GFS Tanks
Outer Layer: The outer layer of GFS tanks is a glass layer that provides excellent corrosion resistance and a smooth surface. This glass layer typically consists of borosilicate glass powder and various additives to ensure durability.
Middle Layer: The middle layer is the steel body, providing structural support and strength to the tank. The steel is high-quality carbon steel, treated with processes like hot-dip galvanization to prevent corrosion.
Inner Layer: The inner layer, also composed of glass, forms a smooth, non-contaminating surface for liquids. This helps maintain the purity of the liquid stored in the tank.
The structural design of GFS tanks ensures outstanding performance in the face of different liquids and environmental conditions, making them an ideal choice for various liquid storage applications.
Historical Development of GFS Tanks
As an advanced tank structure, GFS tanks have undergone years of development and improvement, with a history dating back to the previous century.
Origin: The origin of GFS tanks can be traced back to the early 20th century when methods for coating steel surfaces with glass to enhance corrosion resistance were explored.
Technological Evolution: With continuous advancements in chemical engineering and materials science, in-depth research and improvement have been conducted on glass-fused-to-steel materials and manufacturing processes, gradually enhancing the performance of GFS tanks.
Commercial Applications: The widespread use of GFS tanks in water treatment, environmental protection, industrial, and municipal engineering began in the late 20th century, considered a revolutionary solution for liquid storage.
Environmental Sustainability: With increasing attention to environmental protection and sustainable development, GFS tanks gained recognition for their recyclable materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
Innovations in Manufacturing: Advances in modern manufacturing technologies, such as automated production lines and precision coating techniques, positively impacted the quality and production efficiency of tanks.
Versatile Applications: GFS tanks expanded from traditional water treatment to various industries, including industrial, chemical, and energy sectors, becoming a multifunctional liquid storage solution.
Customization Demands: With growing demands for personalized tank capacities and shapes across industries, customized design and production of GFS tanks became a mainstream trend in the market.
International Market Competition: The international market competition for GFS tanks intensified, with manufacturers maintaining competitiveness through continuous innovation, improved quality standards, and expanded service offerings.
Throughout its development, GFS tanks have undergone continuous technological upgrades and market expansion, currently addressing diverse liquid storage needs with more advanced, environmentally friendly, and flexible features. The future development trends may continue to be driven by technological innovation and industry demands.
Manufacturing Process of GFS Tanks
The manufacturing process of GFS tanks involves several key steps, employing precise techniques and high-quality materials to ensure the final product exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and structural strength.
Material Preparation:
Glass Powder Preparation: Special borosilicate glass powder and additives are mixed in precise proportions to form a uniform glass coating with superior corrosion resistance.
Steel Body Preparation: High-quality carbon steel plates undergo cutting and forming processes to provide a sturdy structural foundation.
Glassing Process:
Sintering Process: Glass powder is evenly sprayed onto the surface of the steel body, followed by sintering at high temperatures, bonding the glass firmly to the steel. This process, commonly referred to as "glassing," produces a robust and non-peeling glass layer.
Structure Assembly:
Modular Design: GFS tanks typically adopt a modular design, where steel plates are cut into appropriate shapes and assembled into a complete tank structure using bolts and other fasteners. This design accelerates installation and enhances production efficiency.
Through high-quality manufacturing processes, GFS tanks fully leverage their superior corrosion resistance and structural strength, serving as reliable storage solutions for various applications.
Advantages of GFS Tanks
Glass-fused-to-steel tanks (GFS Tanks) possess multiple advantages in the field of liquid storage, making them a widely applied advanced tank solution.
Outstanding Corrosion Resistance: GFS tanks, using glass-fused-to-steel materials, feature a closely bonded glass layer with the steel body, forming a robust, non-peeling corrosion-resistant barrier.
Suitable for Various Liquids: With powerful corrosion resistance, GFS tanks are suitable for storing different types of liquids, including drinking water, industrial fluids, and chemicals.
Long Lifespan and Low Maintenance Costs: The composite structure of GFS tanks ensures long-term stability and durability, reducing maintenance and repair costs.
Weather Resistance: GFS tanks maintain structural strength and durability under various climate conditions, unaffected by extreme temperatures and humidity.
Modular Design: GFS tanks utilize a modular design, allowing customization of capacity and shape according to specific project requirements, meeting diverse needs.
Easy Installation and Mobility: Compared to traditional tanks, GFS tanks are lightweight and easy to assemble, facilitating efficient installation and relocation processes.
Recyclable Materials: The glass and steel materials used in GFS tanks are recyclable, aligning with principles of environmental sustainability.
Low Energy Consumption in Production: The sintering technology and automated production lines in the manufacturing process contribute to reduced energy consumption.
Wide Range of Applications: GFS tanks are applicable in water treatment, environmental projects, industrial production, and more, providing comprehensive liquid storage solutions for different industries.
Multi-Liquid Storage: Capable of safely storing various liquids, including drinking water, wastewater, and chemicals, showcasing its versatility.
With its exceptional corrosion resistance, high durability, flexibility, and environmental sustainability, GFS tanks have become a mainstream choice in contemporary liquid storage, meeting the diverse needs of various industries.
Design Standards for GFS Tanks
The design standards for GFS tanks are crucial to ensure their performance, safety, and reliability. The following are general design standards for GFS tanks, and specific standards may vary based on regions and application areas.
EN ISO 28765:2011 (Advanced Industrial Equipment - Glass-Fused-to-Steel - Industrial Liquid Storage Tanks): This standard specifies the design, manufacturing, and installation requirements for GFS tanks, including coating characteristics and quality requirements.
ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System): Applicable to manufacturers, this standard ensures that their production processes comply with international quality management standards, enhancing product quality and performance.
AWWA D103/D103M (American Water Works Association Standard for Water Tanks): Established by the American Water Works Association, it outlines the design, construction, and maintenance standards for water tanks, applicable to GFS tanks in drinking water storage applications.
GB/T 30097-2013 (Coated Glass-Fused-to-Steel Tanks): A national standard in China, it specifies terms and definitions, structure and dimensions, technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, markings, packaging, transportation, and storage for coated glass-fused-to-steel tanks.
ANSI/AWWA D103 (American National Standard for Factory-Coated Bolted Steel Tanks for Water Storage): A collaborative standard from the American National Standards Institute and the American Water Works Association, applicable to GFS tanks in drinking water storage applications.
GB/T 15073-2008 (Chemical Anti-corrosion Engineering Construction and Acceptance Specification): This is a Chinese national standard that covers the design, construction, and acceptance requirements of coated glass-fused-to-steel tanks in the chemical industry.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard): This is a standard set by the U.S. Department of Labor to ensure the safety of industrial equipment. It is applicable to GFS tanks in the chemical and industrial sectors.
ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System): Applicable to manufacturers, this standard ensures that their production processes comply with international environmental management standards, reducing the environmental impact of production.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals): This regulation pertains to chemicals sold in the European market, ensuring that their manufacturing and use comply with environmental and health standards.
Applications of GFS Tanks
Drinking Water Storage: GFS tanks are an ideal choice for drinking water storage, with both inner and outer layers coated with corrosion-resistant glass, ensuring the safety and purity of stored water.
Industrial Water: Suitable for storing large quantities of water required in industrial processes, such as manufacturing and the power industry, ensuring a stable supply of industrial water.
Sewage Treatment: Widely used in sewage treatment projects, GFS tanks play a role in storing and treating sewage to protect the environment from pollution.
Wastewater Storage: Used for the safe storage and management of wastewater generated in industrial and agricultural sectors, ensuring effective treatment when needed.
Chemical Storage: Due to its corrosion resistance, GFS tanks are widely used for storing chemicals, acidic and alkaline liquids, ensuring the quality and safety of the stored liquids.
Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Storage: Applicable to the petroleum industry, GFS tanks safely store crude oil, petroleum products, and chemical products, preventing leaks and contamination.
Irrigation Water Storage: In agricultural irrigation projects, GFS tanks are used to store large quantities of water, ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of field irrigation.
Fish Pond Water Reservoir: Used to store water resources in aquaculture projects, ensuring water quality and the health of fish during the breeding process.
Firewater Tank: As part of fire protection systems, GFS tanks are used to store firewater, ensuring an adequate water supply in case of fire.
Community Water Storage: Used in urban and rural community water systems, ensuring residents have access to daily water and firewater.
Temporary Water Storage: In some events or construction projects, GFS tanks can serve as temporary water facilities, meeting specific water needs during a designated period.
The multifunctionality of GFS tanks makes them suitable for projects of different scales and purposes, providing reliable and durable liquid storage solutions for various industries. Their flexibility and corrosion-resistant properties make them an ideal choice for numerous application scenarios.