Anticorrosive Technology for Oil Storage Tanks

The oil storage tank is a crucial petrochemical apparatus for oil refining and storage. However, it encounters a significant challenge – tank corrosion. This issue not only impacts stored oil quality but also hinders the progress of oil refining and storage. More importantly, tank corrosion disrupts operational efficiency, diminishing the service life and increasing oil storage costs. Thus, delving into internal and external corrosion prevention technologies for oil storage tanks holds great significance.
 
Causes of Internal Corrosion in Oil Storage Tanks

To enhance internal corrosion prevention in oil storage tanks, understanding the causes is crucial. Internal corrosion primarily stems from liquid and gas corrosion. Corrosion occurs in gas phase sections, oil storage areas, and the tank bottom. Gas phase areas, not in direct contact with stored oil, experience gas corrosion. During oil storage, volatile gases, including sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, combine with oxygen and water in the air, leading to electrochemical corrosion. Electrochemical corrosion is more severe than chemical corrosion, posing greater harm. The oil storage section encounters corrosion due to direct contact with oil, which contains various chemical substances causing oxidation reactions with metal components. The most severe corrosion is at the tank bottom, where long-term oil storage allows impurities to settle, causing substantial corrosion.
 

Internal Anti-Corrosion Measures for Oil Storage Tanks

Following the identification of corrosion types and causes within oil storage tanks, the subsequent focus lies in implementing strategies and measures to enhance internal corrosion resistance. Given the current corrosion challenges faced by oil storage tanks, reinforcing anti-corrosion efforts requires a multifaceted approach. The foundational and cost-effective measure involves the application of internal anti-corrosion coatings. Careful consideration of coating materials is essential, as they must not only meet the specific requirements for internal corrosion protection but also provide cost-effective corrosion resistance. In addition to anti-corrosion coatings, introducing a slow-release agent can help mitigate the degree of corrosion within the storage tank. Typically applied onto the protective coating, corrosion inhibitors serve to safeguard the inner wall of the storage tank. Furthermore, a robust inspection regimen should be implemented to monitor the condition of oil storage tanks regularly. Timely repairs are imperative upon identifying any corrosion issues during inspections. In instances where corrosion concerns are severe, scheduled replacements become necessary to ensure the continued safety of the oil storage tank.

Causes of External Corrosion in Oil Storage Tanks

As advancements are made in the internal protection of oil storage tanks, it becomes essential to address external corrosion through comprehensive anti-corrosion measures. Understanding the corrosion status of external storage tanks and the factors contributing to external corrosion is crucial. External corrosion, unlike its internal counterpart, is primarily attributed to atmospheric corrosion. Exposure to the air makes the outer surface of oil storage tanks susceptible to reactions with various atmospheric components, leading to corrosion issues. Despite using thick asphalt sand as an anti-corrosive cushion beneath the tanks to prevent direct contact with the soil, long-term infiltration by water and salt in the soil can still result in corrosion, particularly affecting the tank's bottom.

Anti-corrosion Measures for External Protection of Oil Storage Tanks

To combat external corrosion, applying a suitable anti-corrosion coating on the outer surface of oil storage tanks is a practical approach. The chosen materials for external anti-corrosion coatings should not only be stable and corrosion-resistant but also exhibit resistance to solvents and heat. Addressing static electricity concerns is also essential. For instance, the chemical reaction between epoxy resin and methacrylic acid can yield vinyl ester resin. This resin features a highly stable benzene ring structure in its molecular makeup, providing thermal stability and rigidity. This characteristic aligns well with the requirements for effective anti-corrosion measures, ensuring a superior anti-corrosion outcome. Additionally, technologies such as cathodic protection and dust-free anti-corrosion techniques can be employed to further fortify the external integrity of oil storage tanks.

Conclusion
 
This article explores techniques and technologies aimed at enhancing the anti-corrosion efforts for oil storage tanks. It delves into internal and external anti-corrosion measures separately, thereby making valuable contributions to the ongoing advancements in the anti-corrosion practices applied to oil storage tanks.