Chapter 6

Four basic types of instruments are used in

CPS:1. Wenner instrument- Four Pin Type. 2. Voltmeter, Ammeters,Multimeter, 3.CuSO4- Half Cell Reference Electrode, 4. Holiday Detector.

 This instrument is used to measure soil resistivity.

Basically it is a galvanometer.
Figure shows a typical four pin or Wenner instrument.

 Four steel pins are driven into the earth in a straight line up to 20% of their length. The pins are equally spaced. The space is equal to the depth at which the soil resistivity is desired. A current is passed through two pins(out side). Potential Drop is measured through inside pair of pins.

 The Wenner instrument is used to supply the current and measure the potential drop.
A.C. current is used to nullify the effect of any stray current in the area. The average soil resistivity is a function of the voltage drop between the center pair of pins with current flowing between the two outside pins. The figure below shows the practical procedure of 4-pin method.

ESTIMATION OF SOIL RESISTIVITY

Peabody Handbook formula: =2Ra Where = Resistivity of soil in Ohms-cm R=Rs*k= Resistance in Ohms Rs=Galvanometer Reading at null point k=Multiplication factor a=Pin Spacing Distance

A CASE STUDY

Qayyumabad Roundabout (Right Of Way),Room 1 ,Near Hi tension Lines. Marked in the drawing as Soil check(S.C -1) PIN SPACING DISTANCE A = 3m R = 1.6*0.1= 0.160hms =2Ra = 2 (0.16)(300) =301.590hm-cm.

(b) PIN SPACING DISTANCE "A = 4m R = 8.1*0.01 R = 0.0810hms =2Ra =2 (0.081 )(400) =203.57ohm-cm The soil resistivity data is calculated and tabulated in a previous slide along the NRL oil pipe line to Kemari.

The actual design of each pin is illustrated in figure below:

 The d-c method of soil resistivity by the 4-pin method is

as shown in figure.
The power supply, switch and instruments may be assembled separately but are all self contained in the combination meters. Readings are taken of voltage & current in on and off positions.

The change in voltage (~V) is recorded together with the current flow (I) required to cause the Voltage change.

paths be pins P1 and P2 with this voltage a function of

 The resistance between the center pins is then, in ohms, V/I.

Similar units must be both for voltage and current. Better use a rapidly reversing D.C. current source to nullify the effects of galvanic potentials and polarization. Null method is used to measure the un-known resistance.

VOLTMETRS Measurement of voltage, such as that between a pipeline and a reference electrode, is probably the most frequently made determination in pipeline corrosion testing work. There are different types of voltmeters designed for different types of field work and conditions. The types are: 1) High resistance conventional voltmeters. 2) Low resistance conventional voltmeters. 3) Potentiometer voltmeters. 4) Electronic voltmeters.

Ammemeters
The different types of ammeter used for specific task or conditions are given as under. 1) Zero-Resistance ammeter. 2) Combination meters.

COPPER SULPHATE (CuSO4) HALF CELL ELECTRODE

This device is the reference electrode used most commonly for measurements. It may be referred to as shown in figure, a "CuS04 / reference electrode" or CuSO4 HaIf-cell. The half cell, generally used for cathodic protection in the field, displays some temperature and current hysteresis.

 This consists of an electrode of electrolytic copper in a saturated solution of copper sulphate. The electrode can easily be made to have a large current capacity and will carry current better when it is acting as an anode than as a cathode. This capacity decreases with time as copper sulphate crystals and copper oxide deposit on the metal. After two to three months the cell needs to be cleaned to restore its former current carrying capacity.

 The cell has a high temperature coefficient

The copper sulphate is easily contaminated. It becomes very susceptible to polarization. It is unsuitable for prolonged use in sea or estuary water. In the field, the cell is easily re-charged and commercial copper sulphate solutions give potentials consistent to within 5 to 6 mV.

DISADVANTAGES:

Copper sulphate is an unpleasant liquid to handle as it stains the clothes and the skin.
If it is allowed to leak into the electrolyte, copper may come out of the solution and form small copper cathodes on the structures whose potential is being measured. In a cold water storage tank, the effect is serious as the tank corrosion is greatly increased. Silver Chloride is a better choice as compared to copper sulphate electrode.

WORKING OF THE ELECTRODE

Electrically, the voltmeter connection is to a pure copper rod.
The rod makes electrical contact with the CuS04 saturated solution with in the body of the electrode. Finally, actual contact with earth is made with the solution -saturated porous plug and not the solution itself.

 When the Voltmeter is connected between reference electrode and pipe, the observed reading is actually the combination of two values. The potential between Cu rod and earth through the cus04 solution and the potential between pipeline and the earth. The pipe to earth half-cell potential is the variable that we are interested in evaluating. The reference electrode to earth half-cell potential is constant for practical purposes.

 Its half-cell potential is reasonably constant under a wide range of soil conditions.

The purpose of reference electrode is to measure a steady potential across the voltmeter otherwise direct readings do not give accurate values and needle of voltmeter tends to fluctuate.
CuS04 is most commonly and practically used in fields. Figure below shows a disassembled electrode.

 A holiday detector is an instrument for the detection of coating defects or holidays.

It is a final backup to application supervision.

This device impresses an electrical voltage across the coating and acts as an electrode. It is passed over the entire coating surface.

As it passes over a coating defect, an electrical discharge occurs between the electrode and the pipe.

RECTIFIER INSTALLATIONS
Rectifier installations must be done carefully. ANODES: If graphite or high silicon cast iron anodes are highly brittle. The insulated leads furnished with the anodes should be protected from damage to both the wire insulation and the connection between wire and anode.

CABLE AND CONNECTIONS:

All underground cable connected to the positive terminal of the rectifier are liable to corrosion.
The main cable insulation or field-applied insulation on connections should not break. For extended life of a ground bed the insulation of all positively-stressed underground cable must be perfect. A the slightest current leakage can result in cable serving (flow of current from it.) The cables must be selected I the light of cable manufacturer's recommendations.

 The effect of environment on cable insulation be studied carefully. Acidic or alkaline soils, presence of sea water or brine rather than the usual soil moisture, pressure or abrasive action (cable on ocean or river bottom), solvent action (such as from petroleum product spillage) and other potential hazards. Jacketed ozone-resisted rubber insulation has served well. In recent years, polyethylene insulation has been popular.

 If the proposed rectifier site is in an area where flooding may be a problem, the maximum high water level should be ascertained and the rectifier mounted so that it will be above this level.

In the usual instance, however, the rectifier case (if pole mounted) should be placed at a convenient working height.
Prior to installing a rectifier, the details of local electrical codes should be checked. In many areas, rectifier installations must be inspected and passed by an electrical inspector before power service can be obtained.

RECTIFIER PLACEMENT:

Where possible, rectifiers should be placed where they may be reached for periodic inspection and maintenance with reasonable ease.
This may at times necessitate additional cable from the rectifier to the ground bed or pipeline or both.

If the amount of additional cable is appreciable, however, the value of having the more convenient rectifier location must be weighed against the additional cost of cable.

 Rectifier cabinets should be grounded separately for safety. Likewise, the power company usually will have pole grounds and a ground rod at the transformer pole servicing the rectifier installation. Severe instances of stray current damage to power system ground rods and anchors have been caused by locating ground bed anodes too close to ground rods. When there is any question of possible interference from this source, tests should be made and corrective bonds made

TEST POINT INSTALLATIONS

The test points are the best means of electrically reaching a buried pipeline to determine its protected status.
To conduct other tests associated with corrosion control work.

To serve their purpose well over the years, these test points must be convenient to use and must be so constructed that failures will be minimal.

TYPES OF TEST POINTS:

1. The two-wire potential test point is the one used more frequently. Two wires make it possible to check pipe-to-earth potential with one while test current is being applied to the line (if desired) using the other.
2. The four-wire insulated joint test point permits measuring pipe-to-earth potentials on each side of an insulated joint. The second pair of heavier gauge wires is available for inserting a resistance or solid bond across the insulated joint if found necessary.

3. The four-wire calibrated lie current test point permits accurate measurement of pipeline current flow as discussed. 4. The six-wire combination insulated joint and line current test point is useful, particularly at terminal insulated flanges, because it permits positive measurement of current flow through an insulated flange should it become totally or partially shorted for any reason.

5. Likewise, it will measure the current flowing through a solid or resistance bond should one be found necessary.

6. One heavier gage wire is provided on each side o the insulated joint for bonding purposes.

7. An indicating voltmeter test point is installed at ke points on some systems.

8. Such a voltmeter may be connected between th pipe and a zinc anode used as the potential reference.

 The galvanic anode test point is used primarily in connection with beds comprising several anodes at one location.

CONCLUSION:
The above discussion gives us an idea about the important steps and procedures of installations. Without them a C.P system may not work properly and will not protect the protected object.