DHAKA UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY.

DUET, Gazipur-1707
Department of Chemical Engineering.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Course Code: ChE-4752.

Course Name: Corrosion Science and Engineering Sessional.

Experiment No: 04

Experiment Name: Study of Cathodic Protection by Impressed Voltage.

Date of Allocation: 29/08/2023 Date of Submission: 12/09/2023

Submitted By, Submitted To,

Dr. Mahbuba Jannat

Name: Ananda Bala Assistant Professor,
Student ID: 198027 Department of ChE.
Year:4th
Md. Jahirul Islam
Semester:1st
Lecturer,
Session:2022-2023 Department of ChE.
DUET, Gazipur-1707.
…….……………………
Signature.

Experiment no: 04
Experiment Name: Study of Cathodic Protection by Impressed Voltage.
1. Objective:
a. To show how cathodic protection works by impressed voltage.
b. To prevent corrosion of metal underground storage tanks and associated metal piping
systems.
2. Introduction:
Cathodic Protection by Impressed Voltage is a crucial and effective corrosion mitigation
technique used extensively in various industries to safeguard metallic structures and
infrastructure from the destructive forces of corrosion. Corrosion, the natural process of
deterioration and degradation of metals, can lead to costly damage and structural failure, making
it imperative to employ preventive measures such as cathodic protection.
This method involves the application of an external electrical voltage, known as an impressed
voltage or direct current (DC), to the structure in question, which is typically a metal or metallic
object buried underground or submerged in a corrosive environment. The primary objective of
cathodic protection by impressed voltage is to manipulate the electrochemical reactions
occurring at the metal's surface, thereby shifting the corrosion potential to a more favorable, non-
corrosive range.
In this introduction, we will explore the fundamental principles, components, and applications of
cathodic protection by impressed voltage. By doing so, we aim to provide an overview of how
this corrosion control method plays a pivotal role in ensuring the longevity, safety, and integrity
of critical infrastructure, including pipelines, storage tanks, bridges, and offshore platforms.
Basic Principles: A comprehensive understanding of the electrochemical processes involved in
corrosion and how impressed voltage can counteract them.
Components and Systems: An examination of the components and systems required for cathodic
protection, including impressed current sources, anodes, and monitoring equipment.
Applications: A review of the wide-ranging applications of cathodic protection by impressed
voltage in industries such as oil and gas, water treatment, transportation, and marine.
By comprehensively studying cathodic protection by impressed voltage, researchers, engineers,
and industry professionals can contribute to the development of innovative solutions and best
practices for corrosion control, ultimately enhancing the durability and safety of vital
infrastructure. This field of study remains of paramount importance as industries continue to rely
on metallic structures in challenging and corrosive environments.

3. Theory:
Cathode Protection is continued by external current to bring the metal potential to open circuit
anode potential. In impressed current cathodic protection, we need a direct current (DC) source
and an auxiliary anode. In this system, Current leaves auxiliary anode to enter the structure to be
protected through soil/aqueous environment as shown in figure below.

- +

St Cu

Fig 01: Impressed Current Cathodic Protection Fig 02: Simple Galvanic Cell

When platinum and steel are immersed in water and electrically connected, steel will become the
anode and platinum the cathode. Thus, the steel will corrode. A voltage from an external source
can be applied to make steel the cathode and platinum the anode. Following will be the
connection system of the cathodic protection cell:

Fig 03: Concentration of a electrolytic cell for Impressed Current Cathodic Protection

4. Material Required:
 i. 1 steel electrode and 1 copper electrode (instead of platinum, Cu electrode is used)
ii. 0.1M HCL
iii. Distilled water
iv. 8V DC voltage supply
5. Equipment:
i. Beaker v. Corrosion Studies Kit
ii. pH Meter vi. Hand Gloves
iii. Ductless Fume Hood vii. Measuring Cylinder
iv. Micro pipette viii. Weighing Machine

6. Experimental Procedure:
i. First cleaned the Steel and Copper electrode by rubbing them well with sandpaper.
ii. After that washed the both metal well with HCl acid.
iii. Then washed it with clean water and wiped it with soft tissue paper.
iv. Finally measured the weight of the two iron electrode metal and wrote it in the note
book.
v. After that for volume of 700 ml cell & pH for the cell 6.6 it was added some 0.1 M HCl
vi. Calculation For the cell concentration was-
S1V1 = S2V2
(700-X)*0.1 = 3.16*10-7*700
X = 699.97 ml of water
HCl acid = 0.02 ml HCl
After calculation it was prepared the solution, and first added 699.97 ml water and after
that added 0.02 ml of HCl.
vii. Then measured the pH of the solution and get the solution pH = 8.5 but it was required
the pH of the sample 6.5. So, then go for adjusted the sample pH 6.5 and added more
0.10 ml HCl. So total HCl for the solution is = 0.12 ml of HCl acid.
viii. Then took a beaker of 700 ml solution and set it inside the corrosion studied kit with two
metal sheets in between 2.30 volts and current supply 0.106 amps.
ix. Air lines were provided from inside to outside to allow corrosion to occur well.
 x. After three days, the metallic sheets were again taken out, cleaned and dried in the oven,
and then I measured the weight, and compared with the previous weight, and measured
the weight loss due to corrosion.
7. Experimental Figure:

Fig 04: Front View of the Experiment Set-up Fig 05: Top View of the Experiment Set-up

8. Observed Data:

Cell Initial Weight Final Weight Corrosion

Electrode
Name (gm) (gm) rate/day
Galvanic Weight of Cu (01) 8.283 8.297
cell Weight of St (01) 8.257 8.246 0.0055
Cathodic Weight of Cu (02) 8.688 8.698
protected cell Weight of St (02) 8.367 8.367 No Corrosion

9. Result:
Here we can see that, when we set up cathodic protected cell at 7 volt, then there is no corrosion
occurs in the cell. There steel act as a cathode whom we want to protect and Cu act as auxiliary
anode.
10. Discussion: