Influence of scale deposition on cathodic-protection performance in desalination plant conditions

Hodgkiess, T. and Najm-Mohammed, N.A. (2004) Influence of scale deposition on cathodic-protection performance in desalination plant conditions. Water Science and Technology, 49(2), pp. 221-228.

Abstract

This paper describes an investigation into the interrelationships between the performance of an impressed current cathodic protection (CP) system and the deposition of scale compounds in a seawater pipe system. Some experiments were conducted on a laboratory set-up but the emphasis was on tests on a 0.25 m diameter steel pipe fed by seawater flowing to a thermal desalination plant. The experimental approach involved monitoring the CP current as a function of time at various set potentials and correlating this data with evidence from visual inspection of the pipe-wall surfaces and small probe specimens. The influences of control potential and seawater flow rate at temperatures of 25-35degreesC were studied. Selected scale samples were subjected to examination by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The overall findings are discussed in terms of fundamental scale/CP-operation interactions and aspects relevant to practical operation of CP systems on seawater pipe installations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hodgkiess, Dr Trevor
• Authors: Hodgkiess, T., and Najm-Mohammed, N.A.
• Subjects: T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Water Science and Technology
• ISSN: 0273-1223