Potable Water Storage Tanks
Steel water storage tanks will corrode and leak if left
unprotected
from the chlorinated water on the inside of the tank, and the
earth
on the outside (bottom) of the tank.
Anode Systems Company has developed an innovative solution to
installing internal corrosion protection anode systems. This
unique
feature of floating and floor mounted anodes protects the anode
from
damage sustained when ice forms on the top of the stored water
in
the winter.
Older systems that hung anodes from the ceiling had to be
removed in
the fall or risk being pulled down by the ice in the winter.
Anode Systems has engineered and installed floating systems in a
100,000-gallon system, 1-million-gallon system and
3-million-gallon
system. (images below)
Produced Water Tanks
By-products of oil and natural gas production is par for the
course,
usually in the form of salt water, benzene, hydrocarbons or
hazardous fluids. Salt water and elevated temperatures in
particular
increases the rate of internal corrosion of a steel tank,
resulting
in failure and ultimately replacement of the tank if left
unprotected.
Cement pads alone do not protect against tank bottom corrosion. The
ingress of blowing snow, rainwater, or the leaking of firewater
sprinklers down the side-wall of the tank can bring in bacteria,
chloride and sulfates that come to rest between the tank bottom and
the
foundation. If cement pads are installed on unstable soil, shifting
of
the earth can cause cracks in the concrete pad, allowing water and
soil
contaminates to intrude from the earth. In both instances, a
corrosive
environment can go undetected and cause tank bottom failure.
Cathodic
protection is not readily installed in concert with cement pad
foundations due to concrete having a high electrical resistance,
rendering CP systems ineffective.
Sand pads also fall victim to contamination by rain, snowmelt, and
wicking action that can draw up soil pathogens such as chloride from
the
water table below. CP systems are placed in the sand between the
tank
bottom and a secondary polyethylene containment liner. This is
common
practice to protect tank bottoms against corrosion.
Tank bottom leaks due to corrosion can be detrimental to the soil, a
shallow water table, or nearby stream–negatively affecting the
natural
ecosystem and drinking water of nearby communities. Oil and gas
companies are working to comply with the multiple laws and
regulations
that are in place to help protect the environment against costly
spills
and leaks. Anode Systems works alongside oil and gas companies to
adopt
responsible methods of storage and disposal of produced water, as
regulated by the SPCC. Cathodic protection by Anode Systems can be
placed either inside or outside the steel tanks, preventing
corrosion of
above ground steel storage tanks.
