Tips From

Frank the Tank

CORROSION PROTECTION

 

Tanks made from non-corrodible materials such as fiberglass reinforced plastic (FPR) or other non-corrodible materials do not require operation and maintenance for corrosion protection. However, tanks and piping made from metal that routinely contain regulated substances and are in direct contact with the ground need corrosion protection and require operation and maintenance.

Impressed Current Cathodic Protection Systems

An impressed current system uses a rectifier to provide direct current through anodes to the tank or piping to achieve corrosion protection. The steel is protected because the current going to the steel overcomes the corrosion-causing current flowing away from it. 

Operation and Maintenance of Impressed Current Systems

You need to have a periodic test conducted by a qualified corrosion tester to make sure your cathodic protection system is adequately protecting your UST system. This test needs to be conducted:

  • Within 6 months of installation.

  • At least every 3 years after the previous test.

  • Within 6 months after any repairs to your UST system.

  •       Make sure that the professional tester is qualified to perform the test and follows a standard code of practice to determine that test criteria are adequate.

  •       If any test indicates that your tanks are not adequately protected, you need to have a corrosion expert examine and fix your system.

  •  You need to keep the results of at least the last two tests on file.

You need to inspect your rectifier at least every 60 days to make sure that it is operating within normal limits.

  •       This inspection involves reading and recording the voltage and amperage readouts on the rectifier. You or your employees can perform this periodic inspection.

  •       Make sure that your cathodic protection professional provides you with the rectifier’s acceptable operating levels so that you can compare the readings you take with an acceptable operating level. If your readings are not within acceptable levels, you must contact a cathodic protection professional to address the problem.

  •   You need to keep records of at least the last 3 rectifier inspections.  

  •   You should have a trained professional periodically service your impressed current system.

 ü      NEVER TURN OFF YOUR RECTIFIER.

Always test your system after performing maintenance to ensure you have not short-circuited the system.

 

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