Standardize the Application of Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors

Overview

Main Objective

The PHMSA stated objective is to develop methods and standards to qualify (VCIs), establish performance metrics, and develop monitoring best practices for their use in breakout tank corrosion control. This project is focused on establishing methods and standards for qualifying VCIs as an alternative to CP systems, identifying performance and monitoring metrics, and establishing best practices for VCIs in breakout tank service. As per PHMSA, the project scope must:

1. Perform a literature review of relevant research from private or public research efforts,
2. Consider methods of VCI application under primary tank bottoms, between bottoms in tanks with multiple bottoms, and under original tank bottoms,
3. Establish a method to evaluate the performance of VCIs compared to a functioning CP system and qualify their effectiveness for use in breakout tank applications,
4. Establish best practices for VCI application and monitoring in breakout tank application, and
5. Deliver reported results in 24 months.

Public Abstract

This project will thoroughly investigate the application aspects of the VCI technology for ASTs and derive parameters that are needed for VCI qualification. Example parameters include tank pad quality, salt-levels, moisture content, and VCI migration rate. A statistical design method will be used to develop the test matrix, and a round-robin testing will be conducted at two to three separate locations for the various tests in the matrix. The data from the testing will be used to develop the standardized method and performance criteria metrics that can be used by stakeholders to qualify the VCIs for tank bottom application.

Anticipated Results: One straightforward outcome will be development of a VCI testing standard that can be readily adopted by various stakeholders to qualify VCIs for the tank bottom application. The standard development will allow VCI vendors to develop and evaluate novel VCI chemistries Proposal – 678 (Solicitation #693JK323RA0001) iii Standardize the Application of Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors that would meet or exceed the standard's performance criteria metrics. Tank operators will also look for a diversity of the VCI products driven by purchasing requirements, and economics. The development of the standard will lead to the availability of multiple VCI chemistries with competitive economics. In addition, the project will result in the generation of knowledge and indepth understanding of the VCI technology that operators can directly use in field implementation, and thereby improve the life-cycle performance of the AST bottoms.

Potential Impact on Safety: Corrosion induced integrity breaches of breakout tank bottoms result in the release of hazardous liquids which can migrate into the biosphere if the secondary containment is not functional or is compromised; leakage of hazardous liquids into the biosphere could have an adverse effect on public health and safety. VCI technology is an alternative corrosion control tool to CP, and can be used standalone or in combination with CP. This project will help tank operators by facilitating qualification of the VCIs that meet the corrosion control performance criteria and ensuring that the qualified VCIs are mitigating soil-side corrosion, and thus help enhance safe operations of the ASTs.

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