If you’ve observed rust or damage on your metal equipment, your first thought might be that it’s already too far gone to save. In that scenario, you’re correct—it might indeed be too late to intervene. However, if preventive measures had been implemented to protect your metal surfaces from corrosion beforehand, you could have avoided the inconvenience and costs.
To prevent corrosion damage on active metal surfaces such as tanks, the crucial step is to shield them with appropriate coatings, and cathodic protection provides the solution. Delve into this article to delve deeper into cathodic protection and learn how to manage it effectively.
Protecting Metals from Corrosion
Cathodic protection is crucial for maintaining water tanks, as it helps protect submerged or buried metal structures within these tanks from the damaging effects of rust and corrosion. This approach is extensively used to safeguard various components within water tanks, including the tanks themselves, piping systems, valves, pumps, and other submerged or buried metal elements.
Despite its effectiveness in preventing corrosion, cathodic protection can present a substantial financial challenge, especially for large-scale steel assets.
A Comparison of Impressed Current and Galvanic Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection services are broadly categorized into “Galvanic” and “Impressed Current Cathodic Protection.”
Galvanic
Galvanic protection, commonly known as galvanization, entails applying a protective coating, typically composed of zinc, onto corrosion-prone metals like steel. In this method, the zinc coating serves as a sacrificial barrier, sacrificing itself to shield the underlying steel from corrosion. However, since the zinc layer gradually deteriorates over time and exposes the steel beneath it, this approach is not ideal for long-term corrosion prevention strategies.
Cathodic Protection with an External Power Boost
In an impressed current cathodic protection system, anodes continuously supply electrons, powered by a connected power source. This method utilizes anodes crafted from more active metals to sacrificially release ions, thereby protecting the susceptible metal from corrosion. Usually, these anodes are composed of alloys with a higher electrochemical potential, such as magnesium, aluminum, or zinc, similar to those found in batteries. This technique is employed to provide extended protection against corrosion.
The Significance of Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection is essential for water tanks to prevent corrosion and uphold their structural integrity. Water tanks, particularly those used for storing potable water, are vulnerable to corrosion due to continuous exposure to water and various environmental factors. Without proper protection, corrosion can weaken the tank’s structure, leading to leaks, contamination of stored water, and potentially disastrous failures.
By implementing cathodic protection, water tanks can effectively mitigate the risk of corrosion on submerged or buried metal components, including the tank itself, piping systems, valves, and other internal elements. This protective measure helps prolong the lifespan of the water tank, ensures the safety and quality of stored water, and reduces the need for expensive repairs or replacements.
In summary, cathodic protection is indispensable for water tanks to maintain their functionality, durability, and dependability while safeguarding public health and environmental well-being.
Offers Corrosion Resistance
Leakage currents originating from electrified railway networks, neighboring cathodic protection systems, operational welding equipment, and other direct current sources can pose a significant risk to the integrity of industrial water tanks and pipelines.
These leakage currents induce electrolytic corrosion in subsurface metal structures, potentially leading to cracks even before the facility becomes operational. The diverse composition and characteristics of the soil further complicate the corrosion process, making it difficult to anticipate its corrosive effects on embedded metallic components, typically constructed of carbon steel.
Upon detecting corrosion in underground pipes and storage tanks, installing a cathodic protection system becomes essential. Such a system serves to mitigate various forms of corrosion, including soil corrosion, galvanic corrosion, corrosion induced by leakage currents, or a combination thereof, thereby preserving the integrity and longevity of the infrastructure.
Economical
Galvanizing, anodizing, and painting are essential techniques used to prevent corrosion across diverse industries. These methods are especially advantageous for small, above-ground pipelines that are easily reachable for maintenance.
However, for high-pressure pipelines transporting oil and gas, additional measures are required to effectively address corrosion. Maintaining a significant safety margin for plate thickness under high pressures may not be economically viable, potentially resulting in revenue loss, higher maintenance costs, and plant downtime. In such situations, a combination of coating and cathodic protection emerges as the most cost-effective solution to guarantee pipeline integrity and durability.
Promotes a Safe and Efficient Environment
Cathodic protection provides a dependable solution for active pipelines, guaranteeing their safety and effectiveness even under corrosive soil conditions. Whenever a system is subjected to harsh environments, the consideration of cathodic protection is imperative. It’s important to highlight that cathodic protection can theoretically be utilized for buried or submerged pipelines.
In conjunction with coating, cathodic protection serves as an efficient technique for safeguarding pipelines. In situations where coating thickness fails to meet standards or the quality of coating could be enhanced, cathodic protection can be applied to targeted sections of the pipeline. Furthermore, it can also be employed for uncoated pipelines to bolster their resistance against corrosion.
To Conclude
Cathodic protection systems are vital for protecting steel infrastructure, ultimately improving asset utilization. Known for its efficacy in preventing corrosion on metal surfaces, cathodic protection is extensively employed to safeguard a range of structures, such as pipelines, tunnels, water treatment facilities, offshore production platforms, submerged storage tanks, ship hulls, and beyond.
Need Tank Refurbishments? Call Tanks Liners by American Tanks Now!
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Afterward, we’ll furnish you with a quotation for the requested services and arrange a suitable time to begin the cleaning procedure at your location. Feel free to get in touch with us at +1 800 656 0167. Reach out without delay!
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