Refurbished beverage storage tank

Abstract

A method of refurbishing a beverage storage tank having a lined interior surface. The interior surface of the beverage storage tank is sprayed with a fluid jet to remove lining and surface contaminates from the beverage storage tank. The interior surface of the beverage storage tank is abrasive blasted to prepare the interior surface of the beverage storage tank, and a beverage safe coating material is applied to the prepared interior surface of the beverage storage tank.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of refurbishing a beverage storage tank having a lining and an interior surface, comprising the steps of: 
 spraying the interior surface of the beverage storage tank with a fluid jet to remove the lining and surface contaminates from the beverage storage tank;    abrasive blasting the interior surface of the beverage storage tank to prepare the interior surface of the beverage storage tank; and    applying a beverage safe coating material to the prepared interior surface of the beverage storage tank.    
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the fluid jet comprises a water soluble contaminate remover.  
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the fluid jet is sprayed at a pressure of about 40,000 pounds per square inch.  
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the abrasive blast media comprises steel grit.  
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the steel grit has a blast profile between about 0.03 inch and about 0.05 inch.  
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beverage safe coating material comprises an epoxy polymer.  
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beverage safe coating material is applied to a thickness greater than about 0.03 inch.  
     
     
         8 . A method as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the beverage safe coating material is applied to a thickness between about 0.03 inch and about 0.05 inch.  
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beverage safe coating material is applied at a pressure of about 2,700 pounds per square inch.  
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beverage safe coating material is heated to a temperature greater than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit prior to application.  
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising spraying the interior surface of the beverage storage tank with water to remove the lining prior to abrasive blasting.  
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the water is sprayed at a pressure of about 40,000 pounds per square inch.  
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein an interior of the tank is maintained at a humidity below about 50 percent during abrasive blasting and coating material application.  
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beverage safe coating material is cured after application to the interior surface of the beverage storage tank.  
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein an interior volume of the beverage storage tank is maintained at a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit during curing.  
     
     
         16 . A refurbished beverage storage tank comprising: 
 a metal shell having an interior surface defining an interior volume of the beverage storage tank sized and shaped for holding a predetermined amount of beverage; and    a beverage safe coating material applied to the interior surface of the shell, wherein the metal shell and the beverage safe coating material are joined at the interior surface having a cleanliness when viewed without magnification sufficient to be visually free of foreign matter.    
     
     
         17 . The refurbished beverage storage tank as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the foreign matter comprises at least one of a oil, grease, dust, dirt, mill scale, rust, coating, oxides, and corrosion product.  
     
     
         18 . The refurbished beverage storage tank as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the beverage safe coating material is applied free of cold joints.  
     
     
         19 . The refurbished beverage storage tank as set forth in  claim 16  Wherein the beverage safe coating material is an epoxy polymer.  
     
     
         20 . The refurbished beverage storage tank as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the beverage safe coating material has a thickness greater than about 0.03 inches.