Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a corrosion resistance evaluator suitable for corrosion testing coated metals substrates, such as autobodies. A corrosion resistance evaluator provided with a chamber containing electrolyte to which anode and cathode coated with protective coating being tested are exposed. These coatings are provided with predetermined and standardized defects, such as micro- holes to accelerate the corrosion of the underlying metal substrate in a predictable and repeatable manner. The coated cathode/anode pair is subject to a start-up period followed by series preset DC voltages for preset durations that are interspaced with recovery periods. The impedance date collected is then used to arrive at the corrosion performance resistance of the coating applied over the cathode/anode pair. The foregoing evaluator substantially reduces the time required to test corrosion from several days (40 plus days) to few days (about two days).
Abstract:
A data analysis program operable for displaying at least one representation of a buried pipeline in a geographical area and associated on-pipe current values at various locations along the pipeline. The data analysis program is storable in a memory device and executable by a processor to generate a display on a display device. The data analysis program includes instructions for displaying a digital map representing at least a portion of the buried pipeline extending across the geographical area being surveyed. The program further includes instructions for displaying a current plot of current values associated with the various locations in the geographical area, and instructions for displaying a table having a plurality of fields including the leakage current values and associated geographical coordinates where the current values were measured in the geographical area being surveyed.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a mountable electrode, methods for preparing said mountable electrode, a method for monitoring the corrosion protective properties of a coating on a metal substrate, a method for measuring the corrosion rate of an uncoated metal substrate, an apparatus for measuring electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of coated metal substrates, and the use of said mountable electrode. The mountable electrode of the invention comprises -a carrier comprising a water-soluble layer, wherein said water-soluble layer comprises a water-soluble polymer; and -a water-permeable pattern of an inert metal on said water-soluble layer.
Abstract:
A method of controlling corrosion-related plant operation costs is provided, the method including: accumulating real-time corrosion measurements relating to a plant operation; calculating a relative degree of corrosion value that includes consideration of the real-time corrosion measurements; comparing the relative degree of corrosion value to an expected corrosion progression value associated with a predetermined target maintenance cycle; and adjusting a plant operation based on a comparison of the relative degree of corrosion value to the expected corrosion progression value associated with a predetermined target maintenance cycle. A means for controlling corrosion-related plant operation costs is also provided, the means including: means for accumulating real-time corrosion measurements relating to a plant operation; means for calculating a relative degree of corrosion value that includes consideration of the real-time corrosion measurements; means for comparing the relative degree of corrosion value to an expected corrosion progression value associated with a predetermined target maintenance cycle; and means for adjusting a plant operation based on a comparison of the relative degree of corrosion value to the expected corrosion progression value associated with a predetermined target maintenance cycle.
Abstract:
The current invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the condition of a pipeline and also predicting the future rate of deterioration and/or possible failure of the pipeline. The method includes the steps of selecting at least one portion of the pipeline for which the prediction is to be made and, for that portion, monitoring or inspecting and assessing the condition of the pipeline wall, and typically also assessing the condition of any coating of the pipeline at said portion as well as the condition of the soil adjacent the pipeline. The measurement is performed along the length of the portion and preferably around the circumference of the pipeline at said portion. Data is collected for each cell of a grid which represents the said portion and on the basis of the measured data and, selectively, previous data and or reference data, an accurate prediction can be made as to the future condition of the pipeline and also identify potential future problems or required remedial works.
Abstract:
A method of monitoring the protection delivered to steel bars (1) in concrete construction protected by a discrete sacrificial anode cathodic protection system comprising measuring potentials at potential measurement points located at close intervals in a representative area while the installed sacrificial anodes (2) are operating wherein the potential measurement points include at least three points (3) all located between but away from the same nearby installed anodes (2) and are all preferably located between the same pair of adjacent parallel steel bars. The results are used to identify the position of local anodes. The identification of anodes at locations where none are installed indicates that the steel may not be protected and the discrete sacrificial anode cathodic protection system is not operating effectively.
Abstract:
A method for determining a fatigue status of a growing crack in a substrate. An electrochemical sensor device is provided and includes an electrode formed from a stainless steel mesh. The electrochemical device has a bottom surface that contacts the substrate. The bottom surface is coated with an adhesive layer, and a release paper is attached to the adhesive layer. The release paper is separated from the adhesive layer, thereby exposing the adhesive layer. The electrochemical sensor device is secured to the substrate by bringing the adhesive layer in contact with the substrate and thereby forming an electrolyte cavity bounded in part by the substrate. The adhesive seals the bottom surface of the device to the substrate in order to prevent leakage of electrolyte from the cavity. The cavity is filled with the electrolyte. When the substrate is subjected to cyclic loading, the fatigue status of the growing crack in the substrate is determined in accordance with a measured current between the reference electrode and the substrate.
Abstract:
The invention provides an electrochemical noise method, apparatus and system for estimating parameters of interest related to corrosion rates of an electrically conductive article, the method comprising: placing a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode in an environment of interest; measuring potential at open circuit between the working electrode and the reference electrode over time; placing the working electrode under potentiostatic control; measuring current between the working electrode and the counter electrode for a predetermined period of time, the period of time of measurements may be extended to include a transient event; and estimating the corrosion rate.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Überwachung und Detektierung von Beschichtungsdefekten in einem definierten Abschnitt einer erd- oder wasserverlegten beschichteten Rohrleitung, wobei die Rohrleitung abschnittsweise an den Enden des jeweiligen Abschnittes mit einer fest installierten Überwachungseinheit versehen ist udn das Verfahren folgende Schritte aufweist: Taktweises Aufgeben eines Wechselstromsignals auf die Rohrleitung, Erfassen der Wellenform des Wechselstromsignals in den beidendigen Überwachungseinheiten des jeweils zu überwachenden Abschnittes zur Ermittlung des entfernungsabhängigen Dämpfungsgrades, Umwandlung des zeitabhängigen Signals in eine frequenzabhängiges Signal, Ermittlung der Frequenzamplituden entsprechend der Frequenz des Wechselstromsignals, Ermittlung des Dämpfungsgrades der Frequenzamplituden innerhalb des zu überwachenden Rohrleitungsabschnittes und Vergleich mit zuvor in den beidendigen Überwachungseinheiten ermittelten Vergleichswerten.