Cathodic protection of above ground storage tanks with double bottoms or secondary containment

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:176042

Davis, J G ^[1]

---

1. Global Cathodic Protection, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

When a tank bottom leaks a common practice is to leave the original bottom in place and replace it with a new steel bottom with a layer of sand between the two bottoms. Conventional cathodic protection systems with anodes in the soil around the periphery of the tank or in well type groundbeds will protect the soil side of the old bottom only and will not see the new bottom. In the case of new tanks being built with secondary containment bottoms in the form of steel or polyethylene sheaths, a similar situation exists. Field data indicates that the sand layer environment remains conductive and corrosive and therefore cathodic protection is necessary for attainment of a long tank bottom life. Cathodic protection in the form of sacrificial anodes with satisfactory life and protective current distribution parameters is the best tool for corrosion mitigation on above ground storage tanks with secondary containment or double bottoms. The system has the advantages of economy and dependability and unlike impressed current anodes sacrificial anodes do not produce acidity on their surface.

• OSTI ID: 176042
• Report Number(s): CONF-950152--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
42 ENGINEERING
CATHODIC PROTECTION
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
STORAGE FACILITIES