Methods of Manufacturing Steel Tanks

Steel tanks, such as those used to store liquid fuels, need to be structurally sound and resistant to corrosion. Steel tanks are manufactured in various ways to prevent the release of hazardous materials.

Clad Steel

Clad steel tanks are manufactured by coating the external surface of steel with fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP). Steel provides structural strength, while FRP provides protection against corrosion.

Composite

A composite steel tank is one made of steel that is wrapped in a jacket of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The HDPE is not bonded to the tank, itself, and the small space created can be closely monitored for signs of failure.

Preengineered

Steel tanks may also be pre-engineered from steel coated with an insulating material, such as coal tar epoxy, HDPE or polyurethane. In this case, so-called sacrificial anodes -- positive electrodes that are consumed by electrochemical processes -- are welded to the inside of the tank to provide protection against corrosion.

References

• "Facility Piping Systems Handbook"; Michael Frankel; 2009
• "The Aboveground Steel Storage Tank Handbook"; Brian D. Digrado, Gregory A. Thorp; 1995