Do you know anything about cathodic protection? Do you know what a cathode and anode are? Have you buried your structures and equipment under water or soil? If the answer to this question is yes, then it is better to know more about this protection and its unique points.
Today, protection systems are widespread. Many people use different methods to protect different equipment and supplies. Cathodic protection is one of the types of protection. Many people may not know enough about cathodic protection. This is a way to prevent corrosion in underwater or underground metal structures.
Cathodic protection is usually to protect structures against corrosion. These structures include ships, submarines, submarine equipment, pipelines, tanks, and so on. Therefore, you must use this type of protection for this equipment.
This protection is basically for underwater metal structures or buried soil. In this text, we intend to make unique points in this regard. If you need advice to protect your metal structures, the text of this article is the best option for advice.
What is cathodic protection and what is it used for?
It is good to know that corrosion is a natural process. This process can damage metal structures and cause a lot of damage to your business. Note that electrochemical corrosion of metals is the process by which ions are transferred to another substance on the surface of one metal. In this case, corrosion causes the destruction of the structure. The question is how to protect this structure.
Therefore, the cathodic method is effective in this protection. Cathodic protection is often used to reduce damage to active metal surfaces. This type of protection is used worldwide to protect pipelines and water treatment plants, as well as boats and ships.
Cathodic protection is often used to protect steel from corrosion. Corrosion occurs when two different metals are immersed in an electrolytic material such as water, soil or concrete. This type of metal conduction path between two different metals causes a path through which free electrons are transferred from the more active metal, the anode, to the less active metal, the cathode.
If the free electrons do not reach the active part on the cathode before the oxygen enters, the ions in the active sites can cause rust or iron hydroxide. According to the above points, cathodic protection is considered to prevent this process.
Tips related to this protection
Note that the presence of four elements is crucial for cathodic protection. These four elements can be called cathodes, anodes, electrical connections between the two and the presence of electrolytes such as water, soil or concrete. A series of equipment is used to perform this type of protection. The most important of these are current-carrying anodes, galvanic anodes, reference electrodes, transducers that direct current, and so on.
Relationship between cathodic protection and insulation kits
There are various methods and materials in the field of cathodic protection. One of them is isolation kits or insulation kits. In fact, the flange separation kit prevents the flanges from connecting to each other. These kits usually prevent metal-to-metal contact between the flanges and reduce corrosion against static currents. Separation kits include washers that are installed between the flanges.
These components are produced in special cases with good chemical stability, low water absorption and dielectric properties. These kits are inexpensive accessories in cathodic protection. These kits increase the life of pipes and flange fittings. Insulation kits or insulation kits are available up to 24 inches. These kits have three parts. There are three types of separation kits for samples f, d, and e.
Each has its own performance. Insulation kits f are used for flanges with RF surface and the outer diameter of these kits is less than the inner diameter of the type of screw shaft that we use to close the flanges. These samples have different genders. These include neoprene and phenolic.
Type e are examples whose outer diameter is the same as the flange diameter. This sample prevents foreign matter passing through the flange from accumulating in this space. Otherwise, the short circuit may be lost and the cathodic protection may be lost. This sample is made of neoprene and phenolic.
Sample d is used for sealing.
Types of cathodic protection
There are two methods for cathodic protection. Of these two methods, we can mention the methods of 1- sacrificial anode (galvanic) 2- current injection transformers (iccp).
Method 1: Note that metals such as magnesium, zinc and aluminum are called sacrificial anodes. These sacrificial anodes are installed under water or soil quite simply. Note that these anodes will be applied either individually or in groups. This type of method will not last long for protection and is suitable for equipment that needs less protection. This type of system is installed as a strip all the way to prevent corrosion of pipes.
Method 2: This method is influenced by currents consisting of anodes connected to an energy source. Note that in this method, a permanent source of electric current is provided. It should be noted that this method provides a much longer protection than the previous method. Because in this method, the protection of the anodes is provided by an unlimited energy source.
Bugs that are taken to this protection
This is the type of protection that is used year after year. Therefore, protecting structures that are exposed to water or soil for a long time can corrode. As mentioned, the use of cathodic protection can reduce this corrosion. But installing this protector has a number of drawbacks. One of the most important drawbacks is that it is expensive. The cathodic protection system is almost costly.
Therefore, in this system, the calculations and the complexity of its installation increase this cost. But one element makes this cost reasonable. Note that in case of damage to the structure, you will definitely have to pay higher costs for repairs. So the cost and maintenance of this method, despite being relatively high, seems reasonable.
The design process of this system
To design a cathodic protection system, a number of features must be considered. When you plan to design this system, you should consider whether the use of this system is economically justified? If it is economically justified, you can use this method.
You need to consider the following when designing.
First you need to specify the project specifications.
National and international guidelines are very important in this regard.
Then negotiate with landowners, public bodies or other stakeholders.
Specify the type of flow. Is this current galvanic or affected? Answer this question and move on to the next steps.
Once the type of current has been determined, request a power supply.
Next, specify the number and location of transformer anodes or rectifiers.
Try to provide monitoring conditions. In this regard, you can use the experts of our company to design a cathodic protection system.
In the end, it can be said that all industrial companies can use this method. Our advice to them is not to consider the cost of this method. This method is usually used by companies that want to get the most out of their equipment.
