Corrosion of Residential Aboveground Heating Oil Tanks: An Overview

摘要

Three basic modes of failure are known for oil tanks: manufacturing defects, mechanical damage, and corrosion. Most of the tanks currently in use and manufactured in or prior to the 90s, are subject to leaking caused by internal corrosion. Corrosion-induced leakage always results in environmental damage by underground and/or aboveground oil contamination. Considering the costs related to decontamination and to replacement of residential tanks, the possibility of corrosion should be carefully addressed. To accomplish this task, the most common issues related to tank corrosion must be recognized and understood. This article is an overview of the corrosion mechanisms in aboveground residential tanks made of non-coated mild steel.