A method and apparatus for reducing corrosion on the interior and exterior of a fuel storage tank. A galvanic anode assembly is placed within the interior of or exterior to the fuel storage tank and is surrounded by a layer of hydrophilic gel. The hydrophilic gel absorbs water in the fuel storage tank, thus removing it from contact with the tank. The hydrophilic gel also absorbs metal ions produced as the anode is consumed. The hydrophilic gel is maintained around the anode assembly by a porous container. The anode, hydrophilic gel, and porous container are maintained within a flexible container that allows water and fluid contained within the fuel storage tank to contact the hydrophilic gel. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic gel includes a polyacrylamide material.

A system is disclosed for inhibiting the corrosion of ferrous and other metals by passivating the metals. The system includes novel buffered compositions which may be applied to metal products, and novel combinations thereof with metals, for preventing or retarding corrosion, as well as methods for applying the buffered compositions to metal products, such that corrosion protection of the products is achieved. The methods include an in-situ application to existing structures with metal reinforcement as well as applications to metal products during manufacture. Generally, the compositions may be in various forms and comprise one or more layers, at least one of which includes a water repellent but water vapor permeable carrier component and one or more pH buffer components. The buffer is selected to produce a passivating pH at the surface of the metal. The compositions are environmentally friendly and are capable of replacing chromates which have been traditionally used with zinc and zinc alloys to inhibit corrosion of metals but which are potentially harmful to the environment.

A cathodic protection polymeric compound is disclosed. The compound has flowable material to serve as a binder, carbonaceous conductive media dispersed in the flowable material, sacrificial metal particles also dispersed in the flowable material. The carbonaceous conductive media serve as a carbon-based electron transfer agent and are in the form of particles, platelets, fibers, tubes, or combinations thereof. A galvanic circuit is formed by the metal particles serving as anodes, a metal substrate to be protected serving as the cathode, and the conductive media serving as the electron transfer agent. The flowable material can also include an ionically conductive or an inherently conductive polymer to further enhance the galvanic circuit.

A system is disclosed for inhibiting the corrosion of ferrous and other metals by passivating the metals. The system includes novel buffered compositions which may be applied to metal products, and novel combinations thereof with metals, for preventing or retarding corrosion, as well as methods for applying the buffered compositions to metal products, such that corrosion protection of the products is achieved. The methods include an in-situ application to existing structures with metal reinforcement as well as applications to metal products during manufacture. Generally, the compositions may be in various forms and comprise one or more layers, at least one of which includes a water repellent but water vapor permeable carrier component and one or more pH buffer components. The buffer is selected to produce a passivating pH at the surface of the metal. The compositions are environmentally friendly and are capable of replacing chromates which have been traditionally used with zinc and zinc alloys to inhibit corrosion of metals but which are potentially harmful to the environment.