TITLE: GLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC TANKS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GALVANIZED HOT WATER TANKS

PROJECT CODE: ME-PRO-11-05

AUTHORS:

NZOVE S. NDUKU EN291-0398/06.

KILIMO CHEMEITOI MOSES EN291-0929/06.

SUPERVISORS:

MR. KENNETH KIRAGU

MR. CHARLES KEBASO- Industrial Supervisor Davis & Shirtliff

ABSTRACT

Over the years solar heater storage tanks have been made of galvanized steel. This design and fabrication of solar heater storage tanks from galvanized steel has shown to be totally within the present state-of-art but long term durability of the tank is questionable.

The corrosion of domestic hot water tanks involves the destruction by electrochemical action of galvanized steel in presence of water.

Though the galvanized layer prevents corrosion of the underlying steel layer, the tanks are still corroded. Depending on the sunshine intensity the temperatures of water in the tank fluctuate and can go as high as 60oC. Since corrosion is directly proportional to temperature, at this elevated temperatures the tank corrodes.

This project was done in conjunction with Davis & Shirtliff and it’s aimed at evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of design and fabrication of a solar heater water storage tank using Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) as an alternative structural component that is corrosion resistant.

Moulding technique: Hand lay-up method

Below are photos showing the Methodology used for the production of the Glass reinforced plastic tank.

Cleaning and Preparing of the Mould

Application of Release Agent to the mould

Application of gel coat

Cured gel coat

Laying of the glass fibre mats

Removing the product from the mould

Fabricated two halves of the tank

Pressure test

Thermal test