API 651 Cathodic Protection
Corrosion may be defined as the deterioration of a
metal
electrochemical process
At anode – Fe →Fe+2 + 2e-
At Cathode – O2 + 2H2O + 4e-
Forms of Most common types relative to tank bottom:
corrosion
1. General – thousand of microscopic
corrosion cells (uniform metal loss)
2. Localized (pitting) – corrosion cell are
larger and distinct anodic and cathodic
areas.
Corrosion Anode – which oxidation (corrosion) occurs.
cell
Cathode – reduction reaction occurs. No
corrosion occurs at this spot. Anode
protects the cathode.
Metallic Path- connects anode and cathode
Electrolyte – soil or liquid adjacent to and in
contact with bottom of aboveground tank.
Contains both –ve and +ve charged ions.
Dissimilar materials – galvanic series.
Differences – weld / HAZ / plate (uneven
distribution of alloying elements or
contaminants within metal structure)
Different oxygen concentrations – clay &
debris between areas and steel surface.
Lower oxygen – anodic
Higher oxygen – Cathodic
Soil characteristics – moisture, ph, oxygen
concentration.
When 2 metals are connected the one
higher in the list corrodes to sacrificially
protect the other.
CP provide an anodes thus protecting
anode – thanks bottom
The higher current flow, the faster
corrosion.
Current flow because of
1) Electrical potential (voltage)
2) Resistance
Higher resistance, slower current
Table 1 – General classification of resistivity
Table 2 – Partial Galvanic series
Corrosion 1. Stray current -
mechanism 2. Galvanic corrosion – relative surface
areas of cathode and anode, relative
potential difference between two
materials, temperature
Internal Major factors – conductivity (a function of
corrosion dissolved solids), suspended solids, pH
level, dissolved gasses such as CO2,H2S or
O2, sulfate reducing bacteria, temperature
CP CP provides an anode thus protecting
anode – tank bottom
Two type :
1) Galvanic (Galvanic – Sacrificial anode)
2) Impressed current.
Galvanic Anodes placed around or under tank
Anodes are usually magnesium or zinc
A weak battery, limited current flow.
Less than Advantages – No external power supply,
60’ (18m) & easy to install, low cost for small diameter
for tanks tanks, and rarely have problems with stray
with currents, less frequent monitoring required.
externally Disadvantages – limited driving potential,
coated low current output, limited to low resistivity
bottoms soils, impractical for large tanks, difficult to
protect center of tank.
Impressed Electrical current supplied from AC source
current.
Rectifier change AC to DC
Current can be adjusted to increase current
flow.
Anodes can be placed very deep so current
covers center of the tanks.
Advantages – large driving potential, large
structure can be protected, out put current
can be varied, can be used with almost any
soil resistivity.
Disadvantages – problems with stray
currents, power outage causes loss of
protection, higher maintenance and
operating cost, higher installation cost,
safety issues regarding the use of an
external power source in the area, more
frequent monitoring required.
Operational Stray currents
issues
Desired current density is 1-2 milliamps/ft2
Desired potential (voltage) of at least
850mV
If leads are reversed the tanks bottom
becomes anode
Polarization may take months to achieve
once system is activated.
Inspection Impressed current system – Quick check
Issues
1. Every 2 months
2. System is operational & functioning
Impressed current system – Thorough
check
1. Annually
2. A thorough electrical check of
equipment
Cathodic protection survey
1. Annually
2. Check potential (voltage) between tank
and soil.