Corrosion in the bottoms of field-erected tanks handling crude oil continues to be a problem, especially in areas where the oil contains aromatics or other elements that rapidly deteriorate the hot coal tar coatings generally used. New epoxy resin combinations and other coating innovations have brought forth materials that promise to withstand the more troublesome environments and to compete with the older bottom coatings for general use. However, the array of new brand names, chemical terms, unrelated service claims, etc., can become confusing to the operating man faced with the problem of selecting a protective coating for his particular tank.
This paper describes a method successfully used to screen promising materials in the laboratory. It also discusses field conditions, application problems, and other factors that affect the selection and use of successful coatings. 7.5.5
