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