Cathodic Protection
Basic Terminology
Oxidation — Loss of electrons
Reduction — Gain of electrons
Anode — Where oxidation reactions take place
Cathode — Where reduction reactions take place
The following are two helpful mnemonics to remember how electrons are transferred in oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions.
- OILRIG — Oxidation is Loss, Reduction is Gain
- AnOx RedCat — Anode is for Oxidation, Reduction at the Cathode
Introduction to Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection (CP) is one of the most effective methods for preventing most types of corrosion on a metal surface. In some cases, CP can even stop corrosion damage from occurring. Metals, especially ferrous metals, corrode in the presence of oxygen, water, and other impurities such as sulfur. Without CP, metals act as the anode and easily lose their electrons and thus, the metal becomes oxidized and corroded. CP simply supplies the metal with electrons from an external source, making it a cathode.
Types of Cathodic Protection
1. Galvanic Cathodic Protection
Galvanic cathodic protection involves protecting a metal surface of a piece of equipment using another metal that is more reactive. The latter metal, usually called the galvanic or sacrificial anode, has a less negative electrochemical potential compared to the metal component being protected. Therefore, the sacrificial anode undergoes oxidation rather than the operating equipment. This technique is illustrated in Figure 1 below for an offshore platform with a steel pipe submerged into seawater. The sacrificial anode is an aluminum anode in this example.
Sometimes, steels are galvanized rather than connected to galvanic anodes. Galvanized steels are steels that are coated with a protective zinc layer. The zinc layer acts to cathodically protect steel against corrosion in most underground and marine environments.
Figure 1. Offshore oil rig using a sacrificial anode.
2. Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP)
ICCP is a more economical method of CP when underground pipelines are long or offshore equipment is too large to protect via one or few galvanic anodes. In ICCP, electrons are supplied to the cathodic structure using an external DC power source (also called a rectifier). The steel component is connected to the negative terminal of the power source and the impressed current anodes are connected to the positive terminal of the power source. For simplicity, Figure 2 shows one cathode and one anode connected by a rectifier. In application, multiple anodes are connected to the positive terminal of the power source.
Industry Applications of Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection is routinely used to protect equipment operating in aggressive environments. The two most common applications of CP are for buried pipeline systems and vessels as well as offshore platforms. CP is not used to protect equipment in atmospheric conditions or protect components internally.
CP Challenges
Once installed, CP should be monitored and maintained. Furthermore, inadequate CP designs may not maximize the amount of current reaching the protected item. CP designs should consider the environmental conditions and the component to be protected against corrosion. Another critical factor to monitor is stray currents that may interfere with the system. These interfering currents could be due to the environment or neighboring components (especially if new equipment is commissioned). Additionally, the anodes and rectifiers must be maintained in order for CP to be effective and reliable.
Relevant Standards and Regulations
- 49 CFR 192.451 - Requirements for Corrosion Control - Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipelines: US Minimum Federal Safety Standards
- 49 CFR 192.551 - Requirements for Corrosion Control - Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipelines: US Minimum Federal Safety Standards
- API RP 651 - Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks
Related Topics
Coatings Condition Monitoring Locations (CMLs) Corrosion Control Documents (CCDs) Damage Mechanisms Flue Gas Dew Point Corrosion Green Rot Pitting Corrosion Positive Material Identification (PMI) Unit Corrosion AssessmentsSTAY INFORMED WITH RELEVANT INDUSTRY CONTENT
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May/June 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Gary Mulcahy at Astrodyne TDI
This is the second article of a two-part series published in Inspectioneering Journal, which is intended to provide a basis for understanding the differences between traditional tapped-transformer, fixed voltage type rectifiers, and High Frequency Switched Mode (HFSM) units, as well as highlight some opportunities for optimization provided by HFSM.
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July/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Melissa Ramkissoon at Petrotrin
Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) are essential to any successful oil and gas operation and must be properly managed to ensure operations function in a safe and reliable manner. In this 2-part series, I will identify some common failures related to ASTs in crude oil service and recommend strategies to prevent and/or mitigate such failures.
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July/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Gary Mulcahy at Astrodyne TDI
This is the first article of a two-part series to be published in Inspectioneering Journal and will provide a basis for understanding the differences between traditional tapped-transformer, fixed voltage type rectifiers, and High Frequency Switched Mode (HFSM) units.
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BlogJuly 15, 2013 By John Reynolds at Intertek
This week’s post takes up right where last week’s post left off in our discussion on Corrosion Management and Control (CM&C) Management Systems. As I have said previously, this information is based off a series of articles I did on PEI&R MS, which you can reference here. Here are the last two Corrosion Management and Control Management Systems.
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November/December 2005 Inspectioneering Journal
A few years ago, TWI investigated a corrosion failure in a 30 inch crude oil pipeline that regrettably led to an explosion and fire, and the death of several operating personnel. The pipeline was designed to ASME B31.4 and the investigation found that corrosion resulted from the break-down of the external coating. The exposed area of pipe was too large for the cathodic protection system. Pitting corrosion initiated at several locations that coalesced over a large area to cause failure by rupture. The lost production from this failure was 300,000 bbl/d. The corrosion in this pipeline was not detected before failure. However, if corrosion is found in service pressure equipment, there are safe guidelines available for inspection engineers to assess the fitness-for-service (FFS) of corrosion damage.
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Partner Content
Industrial Rope Access is a proven method of achieving a safe work position at elevated heights or areas that are difficult to access. When combined with advanced NDE technologies, rope access technicians can substantially reduce the cost of inspections and maintenance activities by virtually eliminating the need for fixed scaffolding.
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May/June 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Soil corrosion (underground corrosion) is another one of those extensively researched and documented types of corrosion, since so many pipes and pipelines are buried and nearly all storage tanks rest on the soil. An entire industry/ technology is associated with preventing soil corrosion (cathodic protection).
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NewsLos Angeles Daily News, May 18, 2016
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been fine $2.25 million by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for failure to adequately maintain equipment in its natural gas transmission system that underlies a large portion of Los Angeles.
