Is the tank damage serious... or not?
We all know that accepted PV or tank testing methods, including hydrostatic or acoustic testing procedures can find damage or corrosion. However, to check that damage, the tank has to be taken out of circulation in many cases- which may only happen once in as many as 15 years. You're left with visual inspection at some points when you can. Moreover, if it's a composite tank or PV- which are increasingly used due to strength and weight advantages- the damage may not even be noticeable in a visual inspection. Current methods for damage monitoring of composite structures can also be problematic- especially if water is involved.