Glass-Fused-to-Steel (Porcelain Enameled) Storage Tanks Have Proven Long Lifetime Value
Life-Cycle Costs
Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is used by federal, state and local governments and industries across the globe for major construction projects. As the National Institute of Building Sciences reports, it is a useful tool for evaluating alternatives that fulfill the same performance requirements but differ in initial costs and operating costs. Since a significant benefit of porcelain enameled tanks is their very advantageous life-cycle costs (see Case Studies), manufacturers of porcelain enamel tanks should be asked to provide an LCCA to help customers determine lifetime value of various types of water storage tanks. When conducting the glass tank portion, it stated that the longevity of its tanks was yet to be finally determined by field data. This was because many thousands of such tanks in municipal water, wastewater and leachate service were still being used and had not yet met the actual end of service life.
Initial Costs vs. Lifetime Costs
While glass-fused-to-steel tanks may have a higher initial cost, there are several reasons why they have greater lifetime value compared to epoxy bolted, painted welded or concrete tanks. These range from never needing recoating to easy assembly. See sidebar Advantages of Glass-Fused-to-Steel Technology.
STILL IN USE AFTER MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY
Photo courtesy of Badgerland Agri-Systems
Agricultural storage tanks in Delavan, Wis. One 20-ft-dia 50-ft-high tank with bolted glass-fused-to-steel panels and roof (right) was installed in the early 1960s.
Over the years, Willis Blakely, dairy farm in Delavan, Wis., has bought several glass-fused-to-steel storage tanks for haylage (cut and chopped alfalfa) and liquid manure. Since forage quality influences milk production, reproduction efficiency and profits, a feed storage system that maintains freshness and limits spoilage and dry matter loss is critical. (One recent study documented that cows fed tank-stored alfalfa produced more milk than those fed from other systems: 91.9 vs. 86 lb milk per head/day.) The glass coating resists acids from fermented feeds while the smoothness of the glass allows feed to slide down easily.
One tank that has been used daily for feeding haylage dates back to the early 1960s. The only maintenance to the tank itself has been a recent resealing of the panel seams.
“We’ve got lots of structures dating back to the 60s and 70s,” says Mark Bittrick, president, Badgerland Agri-Systems, Inc., Edgerton, Wis., which supplied all of Willis Blakely’s tanks. “We’re now unbolting and rebuilding them for a second cycle, and sometimes for a third cycle. Most of the tanks we sell today have been used by someone else and we can just about guarantee that they have at least another 25 years of life.”
He also reports that even an unused tank maintains its pristine iconic look that fits the agricultural nature of the area. One community that objected to a cell tower, agreed to the tower being built atop a cobalt blue glass tank (the supporting electronics were located inside the tank).
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