Breathable tank base sealing Why tank base corrosion is an issue and what can be done to mitigate it

摘要

Corrosion at the base of a heavy structure is obviously bad news for the asset owner or operator.Regulations have been set in place designed to prevent the escape of hazardous media into the environment.And while it would take years for any significant loss of integrity to occur,those years would be remembered for frequent,costly maintenance and inspection.The industry has learned to protect the base of the tank from corrosion using cathodic protection and rectifying existing problems by installing a new floor if needed.With the base protected,the rim could at times be neglected.The crevice at the interface between a steel tank and its base is where we see corrosion set in,at the chime angle.The main cause of corrosion is water ingress,sometimes exacerbated by poor drainage and sloping of the foundation towards the tank.A sealant would prevent this water penetration.However,it is difficult to seal a steel tank to its foundation,typically concrete,as these dissimilar materials are subject to movement,expansion and contraction at differing rates.