Water tank with antimicrobial internal liner

Abstract

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a tank assembly that provides antimicrobial protection to inhibit microbial growth in the interior of the tank body. The tank assembly can comprise a body with a side wall and one or more end walls. An antimicrobial liner can be disposed in the interior of the tank body to cover interior surfaces of the side wall and end wall(s). The antimicrobial liner can comprise an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent to inhibit growth of microbes in the interior of the tank body. In this way, the operation life of the tank assembly may be improved, and problems associated with biofilm fouling may be mitigated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tank assembly, comprising:
 a body comprising a sidewall and a first end wall; and   an antimicrobial liner comprising an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent to inhibit growth of microorganisms;   wherein the antimicrobial liner covers an interior surface of the sidewall and an interior surface of the first end wall.   
     
     
         2 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , the effective amount of the antimicrobial agent is in the range of 0.5% to 12% by weight of the antimicrobial liner. 
     
     
         3 . The tank assembly of  claim 2 , the antimicrobial agent comprising a silver based antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         4 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , the first end wall comprising an orifice formed to allow flow of fluid into and/or from the body. 
     
     
         5 . The tank assembly of  claim 4 , the antimicrobial liner comprising an orifice formed to allow alignment with the orifice of the first end wall. 
     
     
         6 . The tank assembly of  claim 4 , comprising a flow diverter operably disposed at the orifice of the first end wall and configured to circulate fluid in the tank assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , the body comprising a first portion, comprising the first end wall, and a second portion, comprising a second end wall of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The tank assembly of  claim 7 , the antimicrobial liner merely covering the interior surface of the sidewall in the first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The tank assembly of  claim 7 , the first portion configured to receive water and the second portion configured to receive air, the first and second portions divided by a flexible bladder. 
     
     
         10 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , the antimicrobial liner comprising a polymer-based sheet formed to fit the internal shape of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , the antimicrobial liner comprising a substantially smooth outer finish facing internally in the tank to mitigate microbial growth. 
     
     
         12 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , the antimicrobial liner comprising a color, the color providing an indicator of concentration of the antimicrobial agent present in the antimicrobial liner, wherein a darker color is indicative of a higher concentration. 
     
     
         13 . The tank assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the color is blue. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a tank assembly
 constructing a tank body comprising a side wall and a first end wall; and   installing an antimicrobial liner in the tank body so that the antimicrobial liner covers an interior surface of the sidewall and an interior surface of the first end wall;   wherein the antimicrobial liner comprises an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent to inhibit growth of microorganisms.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising constructing the antimicrobial liner with the effective amount of the antimicrobial agent, comprising adding an amount of the antimicrobial agent in the range of 0.5% to 12% by weight of the antimicrobial liner. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , the antimicrobial agent comprising a silver-based agent in liquid or solid form. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , constructing the antimicrobial liner comprising forming a polymer-based sheet in the shape of the interior surface of the sidewall and the interior surface of the first end wall. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising mixing the antimicrobial agent with a polymer resulting in a antimicrobial agent and polymer mix, heating the mix resulting in a heated mix, forming the heated mix into a sheet, and forming the sheet. 
     
     
         19 . A tank assembly, comprising:
 A body comprising a side wall, a first interior potion, and a second interior portion, the first interior portion defined by the side wall, a first end wall, and a flexible membrane, the second interior portion defined by the side wall, a second end wall, and the flexible membrane,   an orifice formed in the first end wall configured to provide an entrance for a liquid;   a valve disposed in the second end wall configured to provide an entrance for a gas; and   an antimicrobial liner comprising an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent to inhibit growth of microorganisms, the antimicrobial liner covering an interior surface of the sidewall and an interior surface of the first end wall.   
     
     
         20 . The tank assembly of  claim 19 , the antimicrobial liner comprising a polymer-based material, and the effective amount of the antimicrobial agent comprising a silver-based agent in the range of 0.5% to 12% by weight of the antimicrobial liner.