Protective Coatings

Protective Coatings

The most common type of surface protectant used on aboveground storage tanks and underground storage tanks are organic epoxy coatings. In addition to preventing corrosion, the coatings reduce volatile organic component losses, maintain quality levels, reduce wear to tank components, and help protect the environment. Shell coatings also significantly extend rim seal life.

When tanks contain naphtha and gasoline, they may also contain antistatic, non-conductive or electro-conductive coatings to reduce static electricity caused by aboveground tank floating roofs. These protective coatings often contain nickel oxide, zinc, aluminum and graphite to increase their electrical conductivity and give them antistatic properties.

The majority of coating failures are not due to the coatings themselves, but their improper application because of poor surface preparation techniques. Proper surface preparation for coating applications involves more than cleaning tank surfaces well. It also requires maintaining an environment that prevents recontamination and the formation of condensation, maintains appropriate relative humidity levels, promotes ventilation, and controls air and tank surface temperatures.

Because the weather is unpredictable, the petrochemical industry looks to temporary climate control solutions, such as those designed by Polygon, to create an environment that’s conducive to successful tank surface preparation and coating projects. When paired with other corrosion control methods, climate control technologies for surface coating projects protect one of the industry’s greatest assets—its workers.