Reference electrodes anodic protection

Rectifiers working according to the control diagram in Fig. 8-6 are used for anodic corrosion protection in passivatable systems that go spontaneously from the passive to the active state when the protection current is switched off [12]. The predetermined nominal voltage between reference electrode and protected object is compared with the actual voltage f/j in a differential display unit D. The difference AU = is amplified in a voltage amplifier SV to VqAU. This... 

In the cathodic protection of storage tanks, potentials should be measured in at least three places, i.e., at each end and at the top of the cover [16]. Widely different polarized areas arise due to the small distance which is normally the case between the impressed current anodes and the tank. Since such tanks are often buried under asphalt, it is recommended that permanent reference electrodes or fixed measuring points (plastic tubes under valve boxes) be installed. These should be located in areas not easily accessible to the cathodic protection current, for example between two tanks or between the tank wall and foundations. Since storage tanks usually have several anodes located near the tank, equalizing currents can flow between the differently loaded anodes on switching off the protection system and thus falsify the potential measurement. In such cases the anodes should be separated. 

Even with the superposition of the ac with a cathodic protection current, a large part of the anodic half wave persists for anodic corrosion. This process cannot be detected by the normal method (Section 3.3.2.1) of measuring the pipe/soil potential. The IR-free measurable voltage between an external probe and the reference electrode can be used as evidence of more positive potentials than the protection potential during the anodic phase. Investigations have shown, however, that the corrosion danger is considerably reduced, since only about 0.1 to 0.2% contributes to corrosion. 

Measuring electrodes for impressed current protection are robust reference electrodes (see Section 3.2 and Table 3-1) which are permanently exposed to seawater and remain unpolarized when a small control current is taken. The otherwise usual silver-silver chloride and calomel reference electrodes are used only for checking (see Section 16.7). All reference electrodes with electrolytes and diaphragms are unsuitable as long-term electrodes for potential-controlled rectifiers. Only metal-medium electrodes which have a sufficiently constant potential can be considered as measuring electrodes. The silver-silver chloride electrode has a potential that depends on the chloride content of the water [see Eq. (2-29)]. This potential deviation can usually be tolerated [3]. The most reliable electrodes are those of pure zinc [3]. They have a constant rest potential, are slightly polarizable and in case of film formation can be regenerated by an anodic current pulse. They last at least 5 years. 

Figure 19-1 shows the experimental setup with the position of the steel test pieces and the anodes. The anodes were oxide-coated titanium wires and polymer cable anodes (see Sections 7.2.3 and 7.2.4). The mixed-metal experimental details are given in Table 19-1. The experiments were carried out galvanostatically with reference electrodes equipped to measure the potential once a day. Thus, contamination of the concrete by the electrolytes of the reference electrodes was excluded. The potentials of the protected steel test pieces are shown in Table 19-1. The potentials of the anodes were between U(2u-cuso4 = -1-15 and -1.35 V. 

By using only a single reference electrode in the object to be protected, the potential can be determined only in the vicinity of this electrode and not in more remote areas. Section 3.3.1 together with Eq. (3-27) provides further explanation of this. To improve the current and potential distribution, the number and location of the anodes must suit the geometry of the object to be protected. Occasionally, additional reference electrodes are required for potential control [2]. The optimum nominal potential for potential control can be found by this method by considering remote IR errors. 

As an example. Fig. 20-7 shows potential and protection currents of two parallel-connected 750-liter tanks as a function of service life. The protection equipment consists of a potential-controlled protection current rectifier, a 0.4-m long impressed current anode built into the manhole cover, and an Ag-AgCl electrode built into the same manhole [10,11]. A second reference electrode serves to control the tank potential this is attached separately to the opposite wall of the tank. During the whole of the control period, cathodic protection is ensured on the basis of the potential measurement. The sharp decrease in protection current in the first few months is due to the formation of calcareous deposits. 

The impressed current method with metal oxide-coated niobium anodes is usually employed for internal protection (see Section 7.2.3). In smaller tanks, galvanic anodes of zinc can also be used. Potential control should be provided to avoid unacceptably negative potentials. Pure zinc electrodes serve as monitoring and control electrodes in exposed areas which have to be anodically cleaned in the course of operation. Ag-AgCl electrodes are used to check these reference electrodes. 

Figure 21-1 shows the object to be protected and the arrangement of impressed current anodes and reference electrodes. A central anode and two ring anodes of platinized titanium wire 3 mm in diameter provided with additional copper wire conductors are installed here. It is worth noting that the central anode is suspended from a float, whereas the ring anode is mounted on plastic supports. The zinc reference electrodes are also on floats near the inner side of the bell, while the 17 reference electrodes are mounted on plastic rods on the bottom of the cup and in the ring... 

Six iron anodes are required for corrosion protection of each condenser, each weighing 13 kg. Every outflow chamber contains 14 titanium rod anodes, with a platinum coating 5 /tm thick and weighing 0.73 g. The mass loss rate for the anodes is 10 kg A a for Fe (see Table 7-1) and 10 mg A a for Pt (see Table 7-3). A protection current density of 0.1 A m is assumed for the coated condenser surfaces and 1 A m for the copper alloy tubes. This corresponds to a protection current of 27 A. An automatic potential-control transformer-rectifier with a capacity of 125 A/10 V is installed for each main condenser. Potential control and monitoring are provided by fixed zinc reference electrodes. Figure 21-2 shows the anode arrangement in the inlet chamber [9]. 

Fig. 21-3 Diagram of the protected Kaplan turbine with position of anodes (A1 to A14) and reference electrodes (El to E5).

Fig. 10.9 Diagram illustrating the source of the IR error in potential measurements on a cathodically protected structure. BA is the absolute electrode potential of the structure CD is the absolute electrode potential of the anode and CB is the field gradient in the environment due to cathodic protection current flux. A reference electrode placed at E will produce an IR error of EFin the potential measurement of the structure potential. If placed at G the error will be reduced to GH. At B there would be no error, but the point is too close to the structure to permit insertion of a reference electrode. If the current is interrupted the field immediately becomes as shown by the dotted line, and no IR is included...

A typical anodic protection system for a vessel used for storing sulfuric acid is shown in Fig. 6. The main parts of the system include a cathode, reference electrode, potential controller and a power supply. 

Impressed current cathodic protection requires (i) DC power supply (rectifier) (ii) an inert anode such as catalyzed titanium anode mesh (iii) wiring conduit (iv) an embedded silver/silver chloride reference electrode. A schematic diagram of an impressed current cathodic system is shown in Figure 5.26. By an impressed current, the potential of the steel is adjusted to values greater than -850 mV, thus making the steel bar cathodic and prevent the corrosion (25). 

The anodic polarization curve for a specimen with an active crevice will be in principle as shown in Figure 7.17. In this case a very small free external surface is assumed, and any internal hydrogen reduction is disregarded. is the potential as measured with the reference electrode positioned outside the crevice. As explained above, the real potential in the crevice, Ei , is more negative. The lower limit for corrosion in an active crevice is the protection (or repassivation) potential Epr. However, the critical potential that must be exceeded for initiation of the ereviee corrosion process, the crevice corrosion initiation potential, is higher than the protection potential. 

The potential required or the reduction or oxidation of the analyte being detected is applied between the auxiliary and the reference electrode. The microelectrode acts as the counterelectrode and functions to protect the potential and to prevent damage to the reference electrode. When a mixture containing ions (electrochemically active) flows through the measuring cell within the instrument, it is partially reduced or oxidised. This in turn produces a cathodic or anodic current that is proportional to the concentration of the analyte. 

In general terms, the systems for protection of steel in concrete are generally full wave rectifiers with smoothing to minimize interference and any possible adverse effects on the anode. A continuously variable output is usually specified. Most cathodic protection systems are run under constant current control, although constant voltage (or an option for both methods) is sometimes specified. Control by constant half cell potential against an embedded reference electrode is rarely specified for steel in atmospherically exposed concrete but may be applied to buried or submerged parts of structures. 

Certain areas of the soffit, beams and all of the columns plus support trestles were protected using ribbon anodes.The tide rises to near soffit level and there is an Mm tidal range, (b) 55-57 St Martin s Lane London showing the front 2 zones on a brick building with steel columns after installation of ribbon anode system the reference electrode locations are indicated by Zl Rl, etc. 

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