Thesis Abstract

ABSTRACT Corrosion is a major concern in various industries, especially in structures buried underground or immersed in water. One effective method to prevent corrosion in such structures is through cathodic protection. This research project focuses on the design and installation of a cathodic protection system using zinc anodes. The primary aim of this project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of zinc anodes in providing cathodic protection to buried structures. Zinc is known for its sacrificial properties, making it an ideal choice for cathodic protection systems. By connecting zinc anodes to the structure to be protected, a galvanic cell is formed, and the zinc anodes sacrificially corrode instead of the protected structure. The design aspect of the project involves determining the number and placement of zinc anodes required for efficient protection. Factors such as the size of the structure, soil resistivity, and current distribution are considered in the design process. Computer simulations and modeling are utilized to optimize the design and ensure uniform protection across the entire structure. The installation phase of the project is equally crucial as the design. Proper installation of the zinc anodes, along with electrical connections and monitoring equipment, is essential for the long-term effectiveness of the cathodic protection system. Special attention is paid to ensuring good electrical contact between the anodes and the structure to maximize protection. Monitoring and maintenance of the cathodic protection system are also key components of the project. Regular inspections and measurements are conducted to assess the performance of the system and make any necessary adjustments. This proactive approach helps prevent corrosion and ensures the integrity and longevity of the protected structure. Overall, the design and installation of a cathodic protection system using zinc anodes offer a cost-effective and reliable solution for corrosion prevention. By implementing this system, industries can significantly extend the service life of buried or submerged structures, saving on repair and replacement costs in the long run. This project contributes to the body of knowledge on cathodic protection systems and provides practical insights for engineers and industry professionals involved in corrosion prevention.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Cathodic protection (CP) is a method of controlling corrosion or a means of preventing corrosion of metaland can be applied to any buried and/or submerged metallic structures. It is normally used in conjunction with coatings and can be considered as a secondary corrosion control technique.

Cathodic protection can, in principle, be applied to any metallic structure in contact salty media(electrolyte). In practice its main use is to protect steel structures buried in soil or immersed in water. Structures commonly protected, includes:

Cross country pipelines

Exterior surfaces of pipelines immersed in water

In plant piping

Above ground storage tank bases

Buried tanks and vessels

Internal surfaces of tanks, vessels, condensers and pipes

Well casings

Foundation piling, steel sheet-piling

Piling – tubular, sheet steel and foundation

Marine structures including jetties, wharfs, harbours, piers

Ships, hulls

offshore platforms

Reinforcing steel in concrete

Corrosion is a very serious problem. Three areas in which corrosion are important are in economic, improved safety and conservation of resources. The leakage of hazardous materials from a transport pipeline represents not only the loss of natural resources but also the potential for serious and dangerous environmental impact, and human fatalities. While pipelines are designed and constructed to maintain their integrity, diverse factors (e.g., corrosion) make it difficult to avoid the occurrence of leakage in a pipeline system during its lifetime.

All metals needs energy to be transformed from their oxide (natural) state to a refined state. The process of taking this energy away from the metal is called corrosion. Metals tend to revert back to their natural state when reacting with the environment. This corrosion reaction that occurs is an oxidation-reduction reaction. The purpose of cathodic protection is to stop this corrosive process.
Cathodic protection is the most important of all approaches to corrosion control techniques. One of the types of cathodic protection is sacrificial anode or galvanic cathodic protection. Corrosion occurs through the loss of the metal ions at anodic area to the electrolyte. Cathodic areas are protected from corrosion because of the deposition of hydrogen or other ions that carry current (Sandoval, A., et.al 2001). By using the sacrificial anode technique, the steel pipe will be protected from corrosion but the other metal which is the anode will corrode. In designing this method we must analyze parameters such as factor affecting corrosion, the amount of anode and rate of corrosion, the current densities and the total resistance.