Cathodic Protection of Above Ground Storage Tank Bottoms

The Principles of Cathodic Protection

Coating the storage tank is the first line of defense against corrosion. Cathodic -
protection is the second line of defense.
Cathodic protection is a proven method of controlling corrosion of buried, partially buried
and submerged metallic structures. This is done by making the tank a cathode.
A properly designed, installed and operated cathodic protection system will eliminate
the corroding areas by passing direct current to the metal surface. The direct current is
discharged from electrodes installed in the electrolyte adjacent to or near the
structure being protected. In this manner, corrosion is arrested when the direct current
is of sufficient magnitude and is properly distributed over the entire surface to be
protected.
Types of Cathodic Protection
There are two basic types of cathodic protection.
alvanic anode system.
Impressed current system.
Galvanic anode system:
alvanic anode protection is often called !sacrificial" because the anode is thought of as
!sacrificing" itself to protect the structure. This type of protection utili#es a galvanic cell
consisting of an anode made from a more active metal than the structure. The anode is
attached to the structure, either directly or, to permit measurement of the anode output
current, through a test station.
Anode materials which are commonly used for galvanic anode systems are
magnesium, #inc and aluminum.
Advantages:
o $o e%ternal power re&uired.
o 'ase of installation (and relatively low installation costs).
o *ittle maintenance.
o *ittle chance of cathodic interference.
o +ystem is essentially self-regulating.
o ,elatively low risk of overprotection.
o ,elatively uniform potential distributions.
Limitations:
o *imited current and power output.
o -ossible high replacement costs
o $eed for electrical isolation of protected structure
o Anodes can increase structural weight if directly attached to a structure.
mpressed current system:
Impressed current protection provides dc from a power source. The anodes are
installed in the soil or water and are connected to the positive terminal of a ..C. power
source such as a rectifier. The structure to be protected is connected to the negative
terminal of the power source and electrical current is forced to flow from the positive
terminal to the anodes through the electrolyte to the structure.
This type of cathodic protection system uses long life anode materials such as
high silicon chromium cast iron, graphite, and mi%ed metal o%ide coated titanium.
Advantages:
o Adjustable output.
o *arge current available.
o Applicable to poorly coated or bare structures.
o Applicable to non isolated structures.
o *ow-cost method of replacing spent galvanic anodes.
Limitations:
o Constant power re&uired.
o /ore maintenance, inspections, and recordkeeping than with galvanic systems.
o '%perienced electrical personnel may be needed for installation.
o -ossibility of cathodic interference.
Conclusion
Cathodic protection for corrosion control of tank bottoms has been applied using a
variety of approaches with varying degrees of success. The use of galvanic anode
system is typically limited to those applications where the tanks are of small diameter
and where they are electrically isolated from other underground metallic structures.
Impressed current systems have been used where more protective current is re&uired
and where a longer system life is desired. /oreover, the e%ternal cathodic protection of
the tank is impressed current cathodic protection and the internal cathodic protection of
the tank is galvanic anode cathodic protection.