Undertank Underground Reference Electrodes

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EDI Undertank Reference Electrodes

Designed to provide accurate potential measurements for the full lifetime of the aboveground tank, even when environmental conditions beneath an aboveground tank typically accelerate the reference electrode lifetime.

The environmental conditions beneath an aboveground storage tank make it very difficult to obtain potential measurements. The sand is dry when the electrode is first installed. Cathodic protection currents and/or heat from the product further dries out the sand sharply increasing resistivity. A permanently installed reference electrode can completely dry out in this environment and the absence of moisture in the area will prevent it from rewetting. Consequently, electrodes in such locations may last only a few years. Where potential measurements throughout the life of an AST are desired, a preferred solution is to use our Undertank Reference Electrode (Model UT).
The Undertank Reference Electrode is placed in a slotted pipe installed in the sand pad beneath the tank bottom. When bottom potential measurements are needed, the electrode is slowly pulled through the pipe to produce a potential profile. An alternate design with a threaded coupling rather than an eye-bolt can be used in those cases where it is necessary to push the electrode into the pipe. Between measurements, the electrode can be either left at one end of the slotted pipe or used to develop a potential profile in another tank.
A Reference Electrode designed to last, even when installed underneath an AST, a location where dry sand, heat and cathodic protection currents wear out most other reference electrodes
When potential measurements are needed, the electrode is pulled through the pipe installed beneath the tank.

Permanently Installed References Beneath ASTs

Installations which require continuous potential monitoring will use Reduced Diameter Reference Electrodes permanently installed in the sand bed. EDI’s SlimLine™ Reference Electrode (Model US) has a 30 year design life and is considered the premium reference electrode for this application. Choose the Extended Life version (Model US50) with a 50 year design life for projects where a longer service life would be beneficial. Some engineers prefer using our Dual Element Reference Electrode (Model UD) with a 30 year design life Cu/CuSO4 (or Ag/AgCl) gelled element along with an encapsulated zinc element.

Undertank Underground Reference Electrodes

Undertank Underground Reference Electrodes

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