Corrosion is one of the major issues faced by industrial tanks. It shortens a tank’s lifespan incrementally and increases the possibility of environmental contamination.
As tanks age, they are prone to both external and internal corrosion. External corrosion will occur from environmental exposure to sun, wind, water, and variable temperatures. Aging or damaged exterior coatings will significantly increase the rate of external corrosion.
Internal corrosion is also common for tanks containing water. Even trace amounts of moisture in Oil tanks will cause internal corrosion if the tank is not properly protected. Chemicals like hydrogen sulfide can also significantly increase the rate of corrosion.
Thick film coatings and fiber-reinforced composite systems have been used for tank bottom repair and reinforcement for years. Current technologies, like carbon fiber-based composites, have increased the range of available repairs to include full composite tank reinforcement, sectional reinforcement, and repairs of cracks and pinholes using a composite patch.