LONG-TERM CORROSION PROTECTION FOR BURIED PIPELINES: CUTTING CATHODIC PROTECTION COST WITH NON-SHIELDING COATINGS

摘要

Buried transmission pipelines face a constant safety threat from corrosion.Left uncontrolled,corrosion is likely to deteriorate steel pipes and welds,creating weak spots that could lead to a catastrophic pipeline leak or rupture.As such,pipeline owners and operators must protect buried pipes to enhance safety.The type of protection they specify will determine its ability to mitigate corrosion over time,which influences a pipeline's level of safety,as well as its total cost of ownership.Applying an impressed current cathodic protection(ICCP) system to long and large-diameter pipelines is normal to enhance their corrosion protection.ICCP systems help to minimize the electrochemical reactions that promote corrosion by applying an electric current to the pipe.In addition,pipeline owners and operators typically specify the application of an external barrier system to the pipe such as a coating or wrap.The barrier system provides the primary corrosion protection and must work syner-gistically with the ICCP system.A further and equally attractive aspect of the barrier coating is that it reduces the energy consumption requirements of the ICCP.