Numerical Model for Simulation of the Cathodic Protection System with Dynamic Nonlinear Polarization Characteristics

Abstract

Cathodic protection is defined as a method for slowing down or complete elimination of corrosion processes on underground or underwater, insulated or uninsulated metal structures. Protection by cathodic protection system is achieved by polarizing protected object to more negative value, with respect to its equilibrium potential. Design of the cathodic protection system implies determination of the electric potential and current density on the electrode surfaces after installation of the cathodic protection system. Most efficient way for determination of the electric potential and current density in the cathodic protection system is by applying numerical techniques. When modeling cathodic protection systems by numerical techniques, electrochemical reactions that occur on electrode surfaces are taken into account by polarization characteristics. Because of nature of the electrochemical reactions, polarization characteristics are nonlinear and under certain conditions can be time – varying (dynamic nonlinear polarization characteristics). This paper deals with numerical modeling of the cathodic protection system with dynamic nonlinear polarization characteristics. Numerical model presented in this paper is divided in the two parts. First part, which is based on the direct boundary element method, is used for the calculation of the distribution of electric potential and current density on the electrode surfaces in the spatial domain. Second part of the model is based on the finite difference time domain method and is used for the calculation of the electric potential and current density change over time. The use of presented numerical model is demonstrated on two simple geometrically examples.