Oil Tank Corrosion Management
Comprehensive guide to detecting and treating internal corrosion in storage tanks
Detection Methods
- Visual inspections during maintenance shutdowns
- Check for rust, pitting, or scale buildup in moisture-prone areas
- Use borescopes for hard-to-reach spaces
- Ultrasonic thickness gauges to measure wall thinning
Advanced Testing
- Magnetic particle testing for ferrous tanks
- Eddy current testing for non-ferrous materials
- Radiographic testing for internal flaw detection
- Regular sampling of tank bottom water/sediment
Treatment Procedures
- Thorough cleaning to remove rust and contaminants
- Abrasive blasting or high-pressure water jetting
- Apply epoxy or polyurethane protective coatings
- Structural repairs for severe wall thinning
Long-Term Prevention
- Install cathodic protection systems
- Regularly inspect and maintain protective coatings
- Control moisture levels through proper drainage
- Implement proactive inspection schedules
- Combine visual checks with NDT methods