Original scientific paper

Modeling of the Protection Current/Potential Distribution

A. Muharemović
H. Zildžo
I. Turković
H. Matoruga

Abstract

The use of numerical methods for calculation of protection current/potential distribution in cathodic
protection systems with galvanic anodes is presented in this paper. The coupled BEM/FEM method has been
analysed, i.e. a combination of the Boundary Element Method (BEM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM).
The cathodic protection system is a very efficient system for the protection of underground metal structures
from corrosion. The most important phase of the projecting of the cathodic protection system is the
optimally and technically correct defining of protection current distribution.. The calculation of protection
current/potential distribution in cathodic protection systems is based on solving Laplace’s equation using
adequate, previously defined, boundary conditions. These conditions are defined by using analytical
expressions for the functional relationship between protection current and potential on electrode surfaces,
or the electrode/electrolyte boundary. On the same structure for which the numerical calculations were
made, measurements of protection potential distribution during the time of exploitation have been taken.
Experimental data acquired during the start of system operations, together with intentional periodical
measurements during system maintenance, are compared with data acquired by numerical calculations .

Keywords

boundary elements method; cathodic protection; finite elements method; galerkin’s method of weighted residuals; protection current/potential, successive under relaxations method

Hrčak ID:

198601

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/198601

Publication date:

15.12.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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