From Shell to Roof: A Guide to Aboveground Tank Inspection
Aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are critical infrastructure across many industries: usually containing flammable liquids, hazardous chemicals, or industrial oils.
And because of the risks involved with carrying thousands of liters of pressure, they’re subject to strict regulatory standards and routine inspection requirements to ensure integrity, compliance, and safety.
Whether assessing structural condition, identifying corrosion, or planning maintenance, having the right inspection technologies in place is essential for accurate, efficient outcomes.
At Nexxis, we have a range of solutions available to inspect ASTs safely and accurately – from the floor to the roof, inside and out.
Tank Shell Inspections
For tank shells, remote ultrasonic testing (UT) solutions like our UT Pole make wall thickness readings possible from a safe distance- even on tall or difficult-to-access surfaces. When additional mobility is needed, magnetic robotic crawlers like the Snowcat-E or Magneto combine wall-climbing ability with high-resolution imaging and ultrasonic payloads to capture data across vertical shell surfaces.
Roof Assessments
Tank roofs can be screened for corrosion and wall loss using tools like the Snowcat-E, or with magnetic crawlers equipped for UT or phased array scanning. These solutions eliminate the need for rope access or manned entry, and provide reliable, repeatable inspection results even in challenging conditions.
Lidar & 3D Spatial Mapping
For a full picture of tank conditions or for digital twin generation, LiDAR-based scanning tools such as our Argus 3D SLAM system allow for rapid, high-resolution mapping of internal and external surfaces. LiDAR enables operators to visualise structure, deformation, or potential hazards over time.
Tank Floor Scanning
Tank floor corrosion remains a leading cause of failure in ASTs — and automated MFL (magnetic flux leakage) scanners are a fast, effective way to cover large floor areas. These systems detect corrosion on both the top and underside of the floor plates and can be paired with UT prove-up for more detailed data on remaining wall thickness. Solutions like XY crawlers or semi-automated scanners make this process simple and efficient. Alternatively, for a more cost-effective solution, consider a good quality manual MFL Tank Scanner.
Smarter Data From the Ground Up
All of these tools – from UT poles to LiDAR and MFL – generate critical inspection data that can be managed via digital platforms for analysis and long-term asset planning. Integrating these solutions into your tank inspection routine means more informed decisions and fewer surprises down the road.
And if you’re ever unsure about how to make the most of an inspection, our team is more than happy to provide a solutions.
Liam Hanna has more than 15 years in the industrial technology sector, holding senior positions within Product Management, Sales, Marketing and Business Development.
Starting his career in as a Product and Application Specialist for Remote Visual Inspection within the EMEA, Liam learned very quickly that a dynamic approach is required in order to provide customers with the best possible solution.
This quickly expanded to include Senior Marketing responsibilities of the entire Scientific Solutions portfolio for the Maintenance Market including Non-Destructive Testing, Analytical Instrumentation and Microscopy Equipment.
With a strong customer focus, Liam has spent many years and continues to travel Globally. Working closely with stakeholders, namely global organisations, distributors and end users for support or acquisition, learning from them to help develop market driven products for the future.
Liam joins Nexxis where he will continue to use his experience to help customers in all industry segments, championing Nexxis’ approach to reinventing the way people, machines and businesses work together, Globally.
