Potential measurements, pipeline

The principle of the measurement is described with the help of Fig. 2-7 [50]. Potential measurement is not appropriate in pipelines due to defective connections or too distant connections and low accuracy. Measurements of potential difference are more effective. Figure 3-24 contains information on the details in the neighborhood of a local anode the positions of the cathodes and reference electrodes (Fig. 3-24a), a schematic representation of the potential variation (Fig. 3-24b), and the derived values (Fig. 3-24c). Figure 2-8 should be referred to in case of possible difficulties in interpreting the potential distribution and sign. The electrical potentials of the pipeline and the reference electrodes are designated by... 

Fig. 9-17 Interference of a long (by shorting insulating joints) and a short pipeline by an anode voltage cone 1 km in length P - potential measuring point / = insulating...

If the projected pipeline is situated in an area with dc railway lines, rail/soil potential measurements should be carried out at crossing points and where the lines run parallel a short distance apart, particularly in the neighborhood of substations, in order to ascertain the influence of stray currents. Potential differences at the soil surface can give information on the magnitude of stray current effects in the vicinity of dc railway lines. It is recommended that with existing pipelines the measurements be recorded synchronously (see Section 15.5) and taken into account during design. 

With buried pipelines, the degree of corrosion danger from cell formation and the effectiveness of cathodic protection can be determined by pipe/soil potential measurements along the pipeline (see Sections 3.6.2 and 3.7). This is not possible with well casings since the only point available for a measuring point is at the well head. Therefore, other methods are required to identify any corrosion risk or the effectiveness of corrosion protection. 

Two-dimensional potential measurements on the concrete surface serve to determine the corrosion state of the reinforcing steel. This method has been proved for one-dimensional systems (pipelines), according to the explanation for Fig. 3-24 in Section 3.6.2.1 on the detection of anodic areas. 

Cathodic protection of uncoated objects in the soil is technically possible however, the high current requirement, as well as measures for the necessary uniform current distribution and for //f-free potential measurement, result in high costs. In determining the costs of cathodic protection of pipelines, it has to be remembered that costs will increase with increases in the following factors ... 

Fig. 10.25 Longitudinal distribution potential on pipeline. Note Stations refer to points at which the potential is measured...

Offshore, both Ag/AgCl and metallic zinc electrodes are used for potential measurements and are also employed for current density surveys undertaken on the offshore platforms and pipelines, as discussed below. It has been found beneficial for offshore applications to install together an electrode of each type on a structure, one acting as a function check on the other. ... 

Potential data loggers are now available to undertake close interval pipeline surveys. These increasingly popular surveys, determine a pipeline s pipe-to-soil potential at nominal intervals, of as little as 1 m. Additional information is gained by the recording at each point, of both the pipe-to-soil potential with the cathodic protection system ON , together with the potential some 100-300 ms after the cathodic protection system is switched OFF . This instantaneous OFF potential being devoid of any IR drop component present in the ON potential measurement. 

The purpose of this work is to present an efficient 3D direct simulation tool based on the Boundaiy Element Method, applied to two case scenarios involving transmission pipelines. The paper is focused on the effects in the potential measurements introduced by variable breakdown factors associated with the coating. 

Many other issues are involved in the application of cathodic protection. For example, consider the case of cathodic protection of underground structures in which the corrosivity of soil is likely to play a major role, as does the degree of aeration and the resistivity. Bacterial effects also can change the corrosion potential. AU these factors influence the corrosion process so that along a pipeline there can be varying cathodic control requirements that have to be estimated from potential measurements, experience, and so forth. 

Successful application of cathodic protection depends upon the selection, design, installation, and maintenance of the system. Before designing the cathodic protection systems, adequate field data must be collected, analyzed, and evaluated. Nature and conditions of the soil are reflected by field measurements like soil resistance, hydrogen ion activity (pH), and the redox potential. To understand the nature of the pipeline, potential measurements, coating resistance, and meaningful design current requirement tests must be conducted. 

The presence of bacterial activity can be qualitatively estabfished by placing a few drops of hydrochloric acid on the corrosion products. The evolution of H2S indicates the existence of anaerobic bacteriological activity. The bacteriological existence is also established by measuring the redox potential. This can be done by placing a redox probe into freshly dug soil at the pipeline depth. The potential is measured between a clean platinum surface and a saturated calomel reference electrode [49—53]. The redox potential measurement data and the tentative anticipated bacteriological activity are shown in Table 15.4. 

The reference electrode is sometimes located at a position remote from the pipeline, recommended because currents do not penetrate remote areas, and hence, IR drop effects are avoided. Actually, the potential measured at a remote position is a compromise potential at some value between that of the polarized structure and the polarized auxiliary or sacrificial anode. These potentials differ by the IR drop through the soil and through coatings. The potential measured at a remote location, therefore, tends to be more active than the true potential of the structure, resulting in a structure that may be underprotected. 

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