Factors affecting cathodic-protection interference

A 3D theoretical simulation and analysis of DC stray-current corrosion (SCC) is introduced. The use of boundary element analysis system (BEASY) has allowed cathodic protection (CP) interference to be assessed in terms of the normal current density, which is directly proportional to the corrosion rate. Different real structures consisting of pipelines and/or well casings are simulated to investigate the factors affecting four types of CP interferences, namely, anodic, cathodic, combined and induced, with special emphasis on the cathodic one. The results reveal that the application of impressed current CP systems creates DC SCC on other nearby unprotected structures. This is an inherent potential problem with the application of such systems which dominates with decreasing soil conductivity, and/or increasing the anode current density and its proximity to the protected structures. On the contrary, SCC can be reduced by using multi-groundbed anodes. In addition, it is found that the cathodic interference is more serious than anodic one, and the combined and induced interferences can also cause severe corrosion. Finally, it can be concluded that the BEASY software is a very helpful tool for future planning before installing any structure, where it gives the possible CP interferences on any nearby unprotected metallic structures.