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Lecture 17
For large structures such as underground pipe lines, impressed current cathodic
protection is used, while for smaller structures such as house-hold water tanks, ship’s
hull etc, sacrificial anodes can be effectively used. Painting of steel pipe lines and
tubes can significantly reduce protection current requirements and thus save cost.
Approximate current requirements for cathodic protection of steel pipes are given
below:
As can be seen above, good surface coating significantly reduces protection current
requirements.
Fe = Fe++ + 2e E0 = - 0.44 V
When polarized to half –cell potential of above reaction, corrosion rate reduces to 0.
Rate of forward and reverse reaction are same when net reaction rate is zero.
1
Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore
Lecture 17: Cathodic Protection – Influencing Factors and Monitoring NPTEL Web Course
Lead -0.6 V
2
Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore
Lecture 17: Cathodic Protection – Influencing Factors and Monitoring NPTEL Web Course
Material Average
consumption rate
kg/A-year
Cast Iron 5–7
Steel scrap 5-8
Aluminium 4–5
Graphite 0.6 – 1.0
Lead -----
Platinum -----
Magnesium, zinc and aluminium and their alloys can be used as sacrificial anodes.
Design considerations for both impressed current and sacrificial anode systems have
some common steps.
a) Area to be protected –
Exposed areas of the structure – in coated system, exposed area at breaks and
deteriorated coatings.
b) Polarised potential – Current density based on area need be estimated.
c) Current demand – Current – density demands depend on the environment and
nature of surface coating.
d) Anode consumption – Required number and weights of anode materials
determined from known consumption rates for the desired current demand.
Anode number and distribution for the protected structure can be thus
estimated.
Anode resistance and design output current can then be estimated.
3
Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore
Lecture 17: Cathodic Protection – Influencing Factors and Monitoring NPTEL Web Course
Corrosion coupons (probes) are generally used for monitoring of cathodic protection.
A schematic representation of a coupon probe connected to a cathodically protected
pipeline is illustrated in Fig. 17.1 . The arrangement allows measurement of switch-
off potential without any interruption of pipeline protection.
4
Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore
Lecture 17: Cathodic Protection – Influencing Factors and Monitoring NPTEL Web Course
5
Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore
Lecture 17: Cathodic Protection – Influencing Factors and Monitoring NPTEL Web Course
Electrochemical Physical
6
Course Title: Advances in Corrosion Engineering
Course Co-ordinator: Prof. K. A. Natarajan, IISc Bangalore