Abstract

LOURENCO, Zita  and  MOURA, Rita. Application of cathodic protection to aboveground storage tanks. Corros. Prot. Mater. [online]. 2009, vol.28, n.3, pp.87-91. ISSN 0870-1164.

Aboveground storage tanks (AST) used to store water, crude oil, petroleum products, etc., are usually constructed on reinforced concrete foundations or directly on soil, with or without the reinforced concrete ringwall. The occurrence of leaks, in tanks containing petroleum products, can have serious environmental and economical consequences which justify the adoption of the following risk mitigation measures: - Reduction of the environmental risk in the event of a leak. New tanks are nowadays constructed with a secondary containment, consisting, usually, of an impervious membrane lining. - Preventing the occurrence of leaks. Installing cathodic protection systems to reduce the risk of corrosion, as leaks are frequently caused by corrosion. The use of isolating membrane, an electrical isolator, will have a significant impact on the cathodic protection system and its components. The anodic system has to be installed during construction of the foundation and placed between the tank bottom and the membrane. This article describes the installation of cathodic protection to two tank bottoms: Tank on a concrete base, with the anodic system encased in the concrete. Tank on soil foundation, in which the anodic system was inserted in the soil existing between the tank bottom and the membrane.

Keywords : Corrosion; Cathodic Protection; Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST).

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