Corrosion protection of tank walls having contact with the ground and electrolytes cathodic protection - standards, regulations, practical applications

Consolidated principles exist in world technology for cathodic protection of steel tanks, the walls of which are in direct contact with the ground. No such requirements are in force in Poland and existing regulations are not unequivocal in this respect. In the paper the problem has been discussed of underground steel tank corrosion and basic cathodic protection standards of such objects. Against this background current Polish regulations have been presented. Attention has been focused on ecological problems - the role of cathodic protection in protection of the environment. Typical applications of cathodic protection have been given for underground tanks and bottoms of aboveground fuel tanks.