Industries that store oil and gas, chemicals, and water treatment facilities, as well as businesses and homeowners, find storage tanks as vital assets in their day-to-day activities. Nevertheless, storage tanks are susceptible to corrosion over time or due to their usage, which can lead to structural damage, product contamination, and operational disruptions.
To minimize corrosive damage to storage tanks, proactive measures must be taken to ensure a storage tank’s longevity. We will discuss in this blog the essential strategies and practices that businesses and homeowners can implement to mitigate the risks of corrosion in storage tanks.
How to Minimize Corrosion in Storage Tanks
Corrosion in storage tanks is a huge problem that affects a multitude of activities and operations of industries, commerce, and residents alike. Like any other problem, there is always a solution to this. Such includes the proper selection of material for a storage tank, applying coatings and linings inside and outside the storage tank, and implementing the method of cathodic protection.
1. Selecting Corrosion-Resistant Materials
Choosing the right materials for storage tank construction is crucial in minimizing corrosive damage. There are lots of materials that have proven resistance to the specific corrosive substances present in your industry.
Stainless steel, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), and coated carbon steel are popular choices due to their resistance to corrosion. Not only do they resist corrosion, but storage tanks made of these materials are also durable and assured of having a long service life.
2. Implementing Proper Coatings and Linings
When you are already facing corrosion in your storage tanks, applying high-quality coatings and linings to storage tanks will work wonders to stop and prevent further corrosion. Coatings and linings act as a protective barrier against corrosive substances.
These coatings provide an additional layer between the tank’s metal surface and the stored product. Ensure that the coatings and linings are compatible with the stored product and capable of withstanding the tank’s operating conditions.
3. Cathodic Protection Method
Cathodic Protection may sound foreign, but it is an effective measure that helps mitigate corrosion in storage tanks that are buried underground.
This technique involves the installation of sacrificial anodes or impressed current systems to divert the corrosive process. Sacrificial anodes, typically made of more easily corroded metals, are attached to the tank and sacrifice themselves to protect the tank’s metal surface. Impressed current systems use an external power source to generate a protective electrical current.
Best Ways to Protect Your Storage Tanks from Corrosion
While there are a lot of measures to minimize and prevent corrosion from afflicting your storage tanks, it is still best to have a hands-on approach to fighting corrosion. And that is, regular inspections and maintenance and the placement where your storage tank stands.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Nothing beats inspections and maintenance when combating corrosion. Regular inspections and maintenance are key to minimizing corrosive damage in storage tanks.
Conducting visual inspections to identify any signs of corrosion, coating or lining damage, or leaks and regularly monitoring the tank’s performance, including pressure levels, temperature, and product quality, will give you information and guides you on your next course of action.
Implementing a comprehensive maintenance program that includes cleaning, removal of sediment or debris, and prompt repairs of any identified issues helps prevent corrosion and ensures the integrity of the tank.
Proper Placement of your Storage Tanks
Environmental factors play a part in the corrosion of metal. An example would be when a storage tank is built near a body of saltwater because the air will most likely speed up the corrosion. Strategize the placement of your storage tanks to minimize and prevent fast build-up of corrosion.
Adequate ventilation and humidity control also play a significant role in minimizing corrosive damage. Proper airflow helps dissipate moisture and prevents the accumulation of corrosive substances.
Stop Corrosion Before It Starts!
Taking proactive measures to minimize corrosive damage in storage tanks is essential for ensuring their longevity and reliability. As mentioned earlier, you can effectively mitigate the risks associated with corrosion by implementing the following practices:
- Selecting corrosion-resistant materials
- Implementing proper coatings and linings
- Conducting regular inspections and maintenance
- Controlling humidity levels
- Implementing cathodic protection systems
Take Proactive Steps to Minimize Corrosion with Storage Tank Inspections!
We, Storage Tank Inspections, will help you out in minimizing the corrosion affecting your storage tanks and lets you prevent further corrosion from recurring through our services. Providing services to various types of storage tanks, we assure you great quality service at a reasonable price!
Contact us now for all your tank inspection service needs.
