Do's of Tank Maintenance

One of the ways the CBT team helps our clients is through maintenance and repairs. Our teams can perform major and minor repairs around the clock, seven days a week, to meet your schedule! We have provided extensive repairs to process and storage tanks in most heavy industrial applications. Our services typically include cost-effective, engineered solutions that are implemented through around-the-clock field modifications.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when planning for maintenance.

1. Do have your tank inspected regularly. This is something that the CBT team can help you with. We can come to inspect your tanks to keep them in good standing with state regulatory agencies. Most state regulations say that tanks need to be inspected every 3-5 years.

2. Do put security measures in place. Storage tanks need to be enclosed by a fence with signs warning trespassers and potential tamperers. Components on the tank must also be secured. For example, ladders should be equipped with lockable cage guards and roof hatches should be locked to keep people out. Also, consider adding security cameras as a deterrent.

3. Do preventative maintenance on your tanks. This is where our team at CBT’s expertise comes in. Just like you do regular oil changes for your car and clean your gutters out seasonally, you need to do upkeep on your tanks routinely to keep everything in good working condition. We can work with you to plan maintenance around your schedule.

4. Do schedule in advance. We can help you by scheduling maintenance and repairs during scheduled outages to minimize downtime.

No matter how difficult or routine the repair or maintenance for your tank is, the CBT team can help! Give us a call or request a quote today!

Oil, Refining, & Terminals

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has provided cost effective engineering, fabrication and erection solutions to the refining industries most demanding liquid storage requirements. We have extensive experience in huge diameter bulk storage tanks.

From building tanks used in the storage of crude oil to helping your company maintain tanks used to contain water, the CBT team is here to help! We build durable tanks to help throughout the oil refining process, and we can help with repairs to keep you tanks in the best shape possible.

If we can help you with your tank fabrication or maintenance in the oil and refining industry, please request a quote today!

Staying Warm on the Job

With the temperatures dropping and staying low for the next few months, it’s important to make sure tank fabrication teams are staying warm on the job. Cold, wet, and icy conditions on job sites can lead to hypothermia or frostbite in extreme situations, or at the very least discomfort for your crew. Here are a few tips we keep in mind as we prepare our crews to be fabricating tanks in the cold weather:

• Warm layers of warm, loose clothing - Layering clothing items helps to provide better insulation to cold weather.

• Bring extras - Make sure to have extra socks, gloves, a jacket with you when you’re on the job just in case your layers get wet or damaged while working.

• Take breaks - Make sure you build some “warming breaks” into your day to allow your body to recalibrate.

• Be aware - Educate yourself about weather-related health issues like hypothermia and frostbite, and be vigilant about paying attention to any symptoms of these illnesses. Some of these symptoms are shivering, fatigue, and tingling.

Anyone working outside during the winter is at risk for cold-related illnesses and injuries, so it’s important to be prepared with warm clothes, take breaks to warm up while on the job, and stay aware of any symptoms you may experience.

Working in the Metals & Mining Industry

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has provided process vessels to most of the larger U.S.-based metals and mining producers.

These projects are typically their most intricate and quality-dependent process vessels. The production of these facilities is dependent upon our quality craftsmanship to remain online and earn an ROI for the owner.

We take pride in creating custom solutions to difficult jobs. We seek to tailor our solutions to your specialized needs and your individual job.

Typical Projects:
• Converters
• Heat Exchangers
• ASME code vessels

If your mining or metal processing company has a project we can help with, please request a quote today or give us a call!

Carbon Steel ASME Pressure Vessels

The most common type of steel that is produced is carbon steel; all types of steel contain some carbon, but true carbon steel has at least 2.1% carbon. Chattanooga Boiler & Tank serves clients in a variety of industries with carbon steel tanks for many reasons.

First of all, carbon steel is wear resistant and malleable, making it a great choice for fabricated tanks. Also, a high carbon content in steel makes it harder and stronger than other types of steel.

We also encourage clients to use carbon steel tanks because they are incredibly affordable because they use less materials than a stainless steel tank.

As great as they are, carbon steel tanks trade off hardness for ductility, which is the ability to hold up when stretched. That means that carbon steel with a higher carbon content can become brittle with temperature fluctuation or variety, as well as more susceptible to rust.

When a customer comes to us considering a carbon steel tank, we encourage them to think about the carbon content. For example, low-carbon steel is less brittle or we advise about the carbon content amount based on weather or proposed tank usage.

If you think a carbon steel tank might be a good fit for your project, request a quote today!

Paper Mill Storage Vessels

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has fabricated, field erected and repaired almost every type of process and storage vessel in a paper mill. We have performed these services in every region of the country, and for most paper product producers.

Our professional engineering and fabrication department can offer cost reduction solutions for these demanding projects. We do a great job with tight spaces and difficult-to-reach and operate environments.

Here are some of the projects we have worked on for our customers:

•API 650 storage tank fabrication, 
     erection and repair
•Blow Tanks
•Liquor Tanks
•Batch Digester construction and repair
•Duct fabrication and installation
•Scrubber fabrication and erection
•Outage repairs
•ASME section VIII code vessels

If we can help your paper mill with its storage needs, give us a call or request a quote today!

CBT & Chemical Tanks

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has provided engineering, fabrications, and erection services to most of our country's largest and most demanding chemical producers.

Our reputation for quality and cost competitiveness has earned us a reputation as a preferred vendor to many of these companies.

Providing cost-effective, custom solutions to your process and storage vessel needs has been our goal since we started delivering these solutions to our customers in 1905!

We take a pride in our consultative role in helping our clients decide this by providing options to best meet their needs. Everything is customized. No assembly lines here! Everything is made custom to your specifications.

Our typical projects are Storage Tanks API 650/620, Columns, and ASME Code Vessels. We also provide repair and maintenance services to the chemical industry.

Interested in how we can help you with your unique needs? Request a quote today!

Benefits of Bolted Tanks

A bolted storage tank is one of the most common tanks we work on. Very simply put, a bolted tank is an above-ground storage tank that is put together, or sealed, with bolts (versus complex welding). These are used a lot of times in the water, waste-water, or municipal storage situations. For example, we built this tank in Missouri:

Bolted tanks are often faster and more efficient to install onsite. They are incredibly durable and last just as long as welded storage tanks. We see these most often used in the water and wastewater industry, but they can be used for dry goods or other food product storage.

They’re a great option to look into if your team is on a smaller budget or needs something installed quickly. If you want to know if CBT is a good fit for your project, request a quote today!

Power Generation Industry & CBT

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has a long history of providing both shop and field-constructed process vessels to the power generation industry. These vessels have been installed during fast-paced outages and or during online activities.

Our engineering fabrication and erection capabilities provide us total control of the project and reduce the risks for the owner.

We also have significant repair experience in this industry.

Here are some of the typical projects our teams work on:
• Alloy FGD scrubbers for numerous OEM'S
• API 650 storage tanks
• Stack erections
• Blow Tanks
• Silos (New Construction and Repairs)
• Repair and maintenance services

Working in the Water & Wastewater Industry

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has fabricated and erected some of the most quality demanding tanks and vessels in the water and wastewater industry. They typically are unique designs with specialty stainless steels or exotic alloys. Our ability to assess the work environment and provide efficient fabrication and construction solutions has allowed our customers to receive cost savings and long-term investment benefits.

Dome Roof for a 86’ diameter Water Storage Tank

Our team has built a lot of clarifying tanks to purify the water after coal-powered plants to clean water so that it can be reused. We work alongside companies during the heavily regulated government process that surrounds water purification and municipal water tanks. For example, we help companies and organizations build water storage tanks 86’ to 130’ in diameter.

Hanging steel in a 130’ diameter Water Storage Tank

Some of Our Typical Projects Include:
• Surge Tanks
• Storm Water run-off tanks
• Spiral guided / vertical guided gas-holder
• AWWA D100 storage tanks

If you work for a water or wastewater company, municipality, or other organization needing a water storage tank, please let us know!

Benefits of Tank Fabrication Installation During Outages

One of the ways we serve our clients well is by installing tanks during planned outages. We start off by building a tank off foundation. For example, in a recent project in Ohio, we built a 42’ diameter x 18’ tall stainless steel for a customer.

After fabricating the stainless steel tank, our crew then worked to replace the existing carbon steel tank during a planned outage a few months later.

By capitalizing on a planned outage, we are able to install a newly fabricated tank without causing disruption to our customers’ plant. We know that downtime costs money, so we work alongside you to limit the time the plant isn’t able to run and get you back up and running.

If you have a big project coming up, don’t let it worry you - let us work alongside you to plan an installation in line with a planned outage! Let us know what projects you have coming up that we can help you with!

3 Reasons to Use Stainless Steel for Your Fabricated Tanks

There are many different material types that can be used when fabricated storage tanks for different industries. One of the metals we work with frequently in projects for our clients is stainless steel. Stainless steel is readily available, which means it is often a budget-friendly choice for our clients, but there are 3 other benefits that we want to talk about today:

1. Durability - Stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion than many other alloy and metal options. This makes stainless steel storage tanks highly durable with a long lifespan. It also keeps the chemical, water, or other product that is stored in the tanks safe and without compromise. It also helps if your tank is located somewhere with extreme temperatures because stainless steel avoids weathering issues.

2. Customization - If you need a storage tank that is a unique design or needs to meet specific needs, then stainless steel is a great choice because it can be bent, rolled, and shaped for a customized project. Tanks made from this material can be designed in a variety of diameters, heights, and widths, which makes sure that you get exactly the finished product you need!

3. Low-Temperature Applications - We mentioned external temperatures in the durability section above, but if you need to store something with a low temperature, stainless steel is a perfect choice because many stainless steel types are engineered to handle extremely cold temperatures and are perfect for handling and storing liquid gasses like nitrogen that are incredibly cold.

If your company is considering a new project and trying to determine what type of material to use in fabrication, stainless steel might be the right choice for you. Tell us more about your project and let us help you determine the best material type for you!

Changes at CBT

The year 2020 has been an unprecedented year for all businesses, and Chattanooga Boiler and Tank has experienced its fair share of challenges its year. In light of the changes the industries we serve have experienced this year, Chattanooga Boiler & Tank made the decision in September to stop shop fabrication.

However, Chattanooga Boiler & Tank will continue to provide field support services to all of our clients and new clients, as well as distribution operations. This was a natural pivot based on the modern market and a shift that one that we know positions us well for the future. We will still be providing the same service that we have been providing for over 115 years to our customers when it comes to onsite maintenance and repair work. We value our customers and look forward to serving our existing and future customers well in the years to come.

Field Fabrication & Erection

Sometimes we build projects for clients completely in-house at our spacious facility and then transported to the client’s location. However, other times, we take the designs we work with the customer to create and fabricate them on-site at the customer’s facility. We are proud to specialize in the field erection of stainless steel, duplex stainless steel and carbon plate vessels and tanks.

Whether Process Tanks, Storage Tanks, Pressure Vessels, Steel Stacks, Digesters, Scrubbers, Silos, Bins and Hoppers, or Stainless Steel Structural Beams, Chattanooga Boiler & Tank has a reputation as one of the best steel plate erectors in the country. We are proud of this reputation and take every possible action to ensure that each and every job is completed in the most efficient and productive manner without compromising the quality of the product or the safety of our employees.

Chattanooga Boiler & Tank’s field erection crews can field assemble a shop-fabricated vessel, or completely erect a tank, from rolled steel. Our crews are willing to and do, work anywhere in the nation, and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our field crews work with both materials originally fabricated from CB&T’s shop and material provided by the customer because we pride ourselves in creating products that are efficient and exceptional.

To learn more about Chattanooga Boiler & Tank’s field erection crews, or to submit a project for a bid, please contact our Sales Department through Email or telephone at (423) 266-7118.

Benefits of Customized Pressure Vessels

In many of the industries, we work with, the most important piece of equipment is often a pressure vessel. These vessels maintain the desire pressure level for a variety of applications across the many industries we work with. There is a wide variety of specifications for pressure vessels and depending on the industry and application, there are various capabilities that pressure vessels have. One of the options many companies choose is a custom pressure vessel based on the specific requirements and restrictions of the industry.

While sometimes a pre-fabricated pressure vessel is used, we sometimes see that the standard specifications don’t meet a client’s needs. That’s when we design and fabricate a customized vessel. Here are a few reasons that a customized pressure vessel might be just what your company needs.

• Customized materials - Clients sometimes want to be able to choose the material for their pressure vessel based on the processes and industry requirements. Customized vessels give them the opportunity to choose the durability and strength needed for the specific project.

• Industry-Specific Parameters - Not every industry needs the same shape, size, or pressure ratings when it comes to pressure vessels. Working with CBT to design a customized pressure vessel allows customized to the parameter requirements to match a particular industry or application. This is especially helpful in minimizing the risk of corrosion and maximizing the performance of the vessel.

• Volume Throughput Options - When we design a project, the client is able to choose the desired volume based on the project specs. This ensures the efficiency and optimal performance of the pressure vessel.

  While we are incredibly proud of all our fabrication - both custom and prefabricated - we know that sometimes customization is best for the client. That’s why we have an engineering team ready to assist clients with any project, as well as a great custom fabrication crew.
  
  Chattanooga Boiler and Tank has been crafting tanks since 1905. We can work with you to help find the best option for your project, industry, and specifications. If you would like to find out how CBT can help your company, request a quote today or call us at (423) 266-7118.

Outage Season

Outage season has started! During this time, our crews work 24/7 to ensure our customers are able to operate with minimal downtime in their production.

Our customers rely on CBT’s expertise to complete scheduled maintenance during set times of plant shut-downs. Our team has provided extensive repairs to process and storage tanks in most heavy industrial applications. Our services typically include cost-effective, engineered solutions that are implemented through around the clock, field modifications.

In order to best serve our customers, we perform these services during plant shutdowns and online operations:

• Power plant maintenance and repair of FGD scrubbers

• Power plant maintenance and repair of coal silos

• Power plant maintenance and repair of coal hoppers

• Pulp & paper maintenance and repair of batch digesters

• Pulp & paper maintenance and repair of ASME code vessels

• Pulp & paper maintenance and repair of API storage tanks

• Chemical maintenance and repair of API storage tanks

• Metals & mining maintenance and repair of retubing of heat exchangers

• Metals & mining maintenance and repair of API storage tanks

If your company has a project that is planned for outage season and you want to know how CBT can help manage your repair or maintenance project, request a quote today!

IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THE JOB IS, WE’VE GOT THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO COMPLETE ANY PROJECT OR REPAIR YOU MIGHT NEED DURING OUTAGE SEASON!

Alloys in Tank Fabrication

We’ve talked about using stainless steel as the main material in tank fabrication, but we also utilize metal alloys in fabrication. Alloys are the result of modifying different materials to create the best physical and chemical property for fabrication. Today’s Tank Talk will take the opportunity to walk through some of the best aspects of alloys and explain why they are utilized in tank fabrication.

1. Alloys have altered melting points. In several industrial processes, the melting point of each material being used is significant. Boilers and other commercial tanks have to be built with materials with a higher melting point. Conversely, manufacturers might need an alloy material with a lower melting point because it is easy to fuse. Being able to adjust melting points using different alloys makes custom fabrication easier and more efficient.

2. Alloys can be physically harder. Naturally occurring metals are actually very soft and not fit for industrial use. When metal materials are combined to form alloys, a hard material can be created. This is especially beneficial in tanks that are storage, pressure, or reactor vessels because tanks fabricated with the harder alloys can easily withstand the conditions of the intense operational environment of these industrial tanks.

3. Alloys are more resistant to corrosion. Wear and tear occurs naturally over time, and many industrial losses can be linked to corrosion. This is why alloys are utilized; alloy materials can be created to offer maximum corrosion resistance. This happens when non-metal materials are added to metals to create resistant alloy materials, which will extend the life of a fabricated tank.

4. Alloy formation can be increase tensile strength. Some alloys have incredibly high tensile strength, especially for industrial tanks involved in extreme pressure conditions.

Chattanooga Boiler and Tank is proud to be an expert in the tank fabrication. Our team manufactures tanks and vessels of stainless steel, carbon steel, duplex stainless steel, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, hastelloy, inconel and other exotic materials. If you are curious about how alloys can be utilized for your company’s tank fabrication, please contact us!

The Importance of Cleanliness

In light of all that is going on in the world right now with the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to address something that often falls through the cracks in the metal fabrication and manufacturing industry - cleanliness in the workplace.

The main reason cleanliness is so important is because it is directly linked to the safety of workers and individuals after project completion. Slips and trips are often caused by a lack of organization and a lack of “housekeeping” on the job site. Our teams at Chattanooga Boiler & Tank put an emphasis on the cleanliness of our job sites because safety and efficiency are our highest priorities. Here are a few ways and reasons that we pay attention to the tidiness of the fabrication and manufacturing job sites:

1. Inventory - We make sure that all materials are organized and kept in a way that removes any potential trip hazards.

2. Professionalism - We believe that the cleanliness of our job site is a direct reflection of our abilities as metal fabricators, so we strive to show our professionalism through our shop fabrication and on-site fabrication projects. Should a customer or potential client come by, they will see a neat and organized project, which shows our values of safety and efficiency.

3. Employees - Our world is keenly aware of the importance of hand-washing in light of the world’s climate. We work with our employees to make sure that everyone is washing their hands and practicing overall good hygiene for their safety and the safety of all those who may come into the shop or on the job site.

4. Customer respect - Because we respect our customers and the projects they hire us to work on, we want customers to understand that we have pride in CB&T and our respect for them. Our customers trust us with their organizations and their workplace; we want our worksites to show the level of respect we have for their organization.

5. Efficiency - It is easier to get projects completed on schedule and on budget when the work environment is well-organized and clean. This also works towards preventing any onsite injuries or accidents that could set back the project in time or money.

All of our fabrication and manufacturing teams work very hard to keep our job sites clean to reduce the risk of falls, injuries, or accidental damage, to show our customers the pride we have in our industry, the respect we have for their organizations, and the health of our employees.

Types of Welding

You may have heard that we are on the lookout for experienced steel fabricators at our Chattanooga fabrication shop. (If you are interested, submit your resume to hr@cbtank.com) This made us think about the types of welding for stainless steel that fabricators use to build custom projects for clients. There are three types of welding that can be done and the process used depends on the thickness and finish of the materials. The main three types of stainless steel fabrication are TIG welding, resistance welding, and MIG welding. Here’s some more information about each of these processes.

• TIG Welding

This type of welding is also known as gas tungsten arc welding, and it is known for offering high quality, versatile, and long-lasting products. TIG welding is most often used for stainless steel welding because it is perfect for thin material since it uses a low heat input. The argon gas used for this welding process is often mixed with other gases, such as helium, hydrogen, or nitrogen, depending on the specific project. In order to increase the corrosion resistance, single-sided welding can be used.

• Resistance or Spot Welding

This is known as one of the most economical welding processes. The equipment used in resistance or spot welding is incredibly versatile and can be used on both small and large projects. In this type of welding, an electrical current is used to heat frayed metal edges and binds them together. This is especially effective on metals with a low melting point because it doesn’t distort the metal.

• MIG Welding

MIG welding is also known as gas metal AC welding and is a semi-automatic process. This process offers an incredibly strong joint of stainless steel. In MIG welding, argon rich shielding gas and a solid wire electrode are used to join the two pieces together into a finished project. Other gases, such as helium, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are used to stabilize the process and improve the quality of the finished product. This welding process is often used because it is easy to use in tough-to-reach spots and complex projects.

When faced with a project, how do you know which welding method is best?

This is where our fabrication team comes in! Choosing the best welding process depends on what qualities the finished product needs to have. Spot welding is often best for projects with a tight budget. However, if the stainless steel your project requires is thin, the TIG welding process may be a better choice.

Our team at Chattanooga Boiler & Tank is made up of engineering and welding experts that work with our clients to evaluate the materials, project requirements, and finished product capabilities to determine the best welding process for your project.

Our team is incredibly knowledgable with years of experience. We are happy to work with you and your team to choose the best stainless steel welding method for your specific project. Contact us today to get a quote.

ASME Codes & Pressure Vessels

After a large number of accidents surrounding boilers and pressure vessels in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the United States began to implement safety standards. Today, pressure vessels - often used for chemical holding tanks, chemical storage tanks, or rectors - must meet safety standards in place in all 50 states. These standards are set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and refer to the designing and manufacturing of boilers and pressure vessels.

ASME Pressure Vessel Standards

ASME Code, Section VIII allows manufacturers to stamp a pressure vessel with a certification mark once it is in compliance. The pressure vessels that fill the standard of Division 1 of this section identifies a pressure vessel that has an internal or external pressure of greater than 100 kPa (or 15 psi). These vessels are marked with a U, UM, or UV certification marks. Another part of this section (Section VIII, Division 2) defines the standards for vessels with an internal or external pressure of 20700 kPa - 70000 kPa (3000 psi - 10000 psi). Fun Fact: these standards are also in place for human-occupied pressures for the diving industry! All the vessels under this standard are marked with U2 and UV certification marks. The final division standardizes pressure vessels with an internal or external pressure greater than 70,000 kPa (or 10000 psi), which are stamped with U3 and UV3.

ASME Pressure Vessel Manufacturing

Now that we have shed some light on what it means for a pressure vessel to be certified by ASME Code, Section VIII, let’s explore what it means for Chattanooga Boiler & Tank to be an ASME certified pressure vessel manufacturer. We have a quality control system in place to ensure that all design, fabrication, and examination standards are met. This means that if you purchase a pressure vessel from Chattanooga Boiler & Tank, you can rest assured knowing that the vessel we design and manufacture for you has met industry and legal safety standards. We create customized pressure vessels to meet design standards that also fits your company’s design concept. We also use approved materials and fabricate all of our pressure vessels using approved techniques.

We are proud of our work as an ASME Pressure Vessel Manufacturer.

With the ability to conduct the required testing and interpret the results in-house, the need to wait on an outside lab is eliminated. This allows for corrective procedures to be implemented immediately saving in both time and cost. Also, our ASME-authorized inspector regularly reviews our procedures for compliance with all ASME code requirements.

Any questions about Chattanooga Boiler & Tank’s Quality Assurance Program or ASME Certified Vessels can be answered by email or telephone at (423) 266-7118.