Composites Improve Corrosion Resistance of In-Ground Tanks

One of the primary targets of the corrosion industry is in-ground storage tanks that are used for chemicals and various types of fuels. These tanks are targeted based on the negative effects that could occur if they develop a leak. For instance, any leak in a chemical or fuel storage tank due to corrosion could have disastrous effects on the groundwater near the leaking tank. These types of groundwater contamination events can also have a significantly detrimental impact on the availability of drinking water for more than half of the U. S. population, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. The corrosion industry relies heavily on the corrosion-resistant properties of polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins to assist businesses in corrosion-proofing the more than 500,000 in-ground storage tanks in the U.S. 

Using Composites for In-Ground Tank Retrofits Allows Corrosion Industry to Help Businesses Save

The corrosion industry has come to rely heavily on the corrosion-resistance that polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins bring to composite materials. Since a 2005 EPA mandate that all in-ground storage tanks be double-walled, one route that many businesses have taken in response to this mandate is to replace their old single-wall tanks completely. However, the replacement process has a significant number of drawbacks, which include:

• Replacement costs ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 per tank
• Having to shut the business down for up to four weeks to complete tank replacement
• Significant loss of business revenue during shut down period

These are significant costs, but the corrosion industry has been able to come up with a more efficient and cost-effective solution for businesses who are seeking a solution to the double-walled tank dilemma. Companies in the corrosion industry have developed unique, new composite materials using polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins, that allow a single-walled tank to be retrofitted to become a double-walled tank that is EPA compliant. This system benefits the businesses who are turning to the corrosion industry to meet EPA requirements because: 

• Composite tank-lining retrofits only cost approximately $30,000
• Composite retrofits can be accomplished in about three days or less
• Retrofitting the tank with composite linings significantly increases the life of the tank
• Composite tank-lining retrofits drastically reduce the possibility of a tank leak
• Composite linings only result in a loss of a few hundred gallons of holding capacity in a typical 10,000-gallon tank

Thanks to composite lining materials, the corrosion industry can now offer businesses an alternative to tank replacement that is low cost, takes less time, results in EPA compliance and does not severely reduce the tank’s holding capacity. 

Composites One is North America’s Leading Composite Materials Supplier

Composites One is the number one distributor of composite materials, including polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins, in North America. Our team works closely with companies in the corrosion industry to provide supplies and technical assistance for a wide variety of corrosion reducing applications. For further information about composite material supplies or how we can assist your corrosion industry company, contact Composites One today.