Okiwelu AA, Evans UF, Ekanem CH and Etim VB
Keywords: Shallow, protection, submerged tanks, corrosion, environment.
Abstract: Geoelectrical resistivity soundings employing Schlumberger electrodes array was used to measure resistivity distributions of geomaterials in four fuel stations located in coastal environment within the Nigerian sector of the Niger Delta basin. The aim is to find alternative solution for the mitigation of external corrosion of buried storage fuel tanks. A maximum current electrodes spacing of 40m was used for the investigations. An average depth of 10m was penetrated by the current. Analyses of results show that the storage tank (station A) is within non–corrosive environment. The tank may eventually suffer corrosion attack due to the 132kV electrical power lines which is in close proximity to the fuel station. The other tanks (B, C, and D) are within corrosive environments but the tank at station C is at a higher corrosion risk. This is because of the presence of conductive clay in the area. Based on the low resistivity, sites for planting of protective anodes have been delineated to protect the storage tanks from external corrosion.
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