Cathodic Protection Training Course

SYLLABUS



This course is interactive and will be edited as comments, suggestions, questions and answers arise from the students and teachers.
We have four PhD level students who are being mentored and guided in different universities in different countries on different continents as well as many long time experienced and qualified engineers who are working on a vairety of projects all over the world.
The content of all modules is originally drawn from my personal experience and field experimentation backed up by years of research into the theory and application of cathodic protection in field conditions.
Each module is supported by documentation including pictures and data from actual field activities.
The number of references is expanding and we are keeping up with this by using links as well as the traditional references to published papers. Publication on the internet enables universal peer review and scrutiny.
We can supply the instruments needed for this course, but will require payment plus shipping costs prior to dispatch.
We suggest that it would be quicker and cheaper to obtain the instruments locally or use those already available on site.



Module01

  • Introduction to cathodic protection.
  • Foundation of C.P.
  • Examples of traditional data
  • Practical appraisal the voltmeters used in CP work.
  • Two practical bench studies, requiring a report.
  • First field visit, requiring a report.
  • On-line real time discussion.

    Module02
  • Technical history of C.P.
  • Explanation of the reasons behind current trends in C.P.
  • Financial and operational benefits of CP.
  • Academic and scientific views of CP.
  • Commercial aspects for and against CP.
  • Introduction to measuring and monitoring
  • Theory behind the 'immediate off potential'.
  • Practical, make two reference electrodes (half-cells)
  • Field trip with simple exercise in CP measurment requiring a report.
  • On-line real time discussion.

    Module03
  • Thermodynamic theory of CP simplified.
  • The significance of the Pourbaix diagrams.
  • The Daniel Cell in laboratory work.
  • The importance of the reference potential.
  • Codes of practice.
  • Standard laboratory techniques
  • The development of standard techniques in field work.
  • Open circuit measurements.
  • Errors and their causes.
  • Interference.
  • Practical bench experiments.
  • Field trip with experiments requiring a report.
  • On-line real time discussion.

    Module04
  • Equivalent circuits
  • Physical modelling of CP measurement techniques.
  • Practical construction of 8 measurment models.
  • Simulation of field conditions on the bench.
  • Field trip to confirm theoretical and model integrity requiring a report.
  • On-line real time discussion.

    Module05
  • Significance of the paper presented at the
  • Australasian Corrosion Conference of 1982
  • Practical bench work to confirm this paper.
  • Field trip to confirm theoretical and benchwork integrity requiring a report.
  • On-line real time discussion.

    Module06
    This Module has been replaced with on line experiments

    Module07
  • Proximity of foreign structures.
  • Interference possibilities.
  • Basic interference testing and resolution
  • Monitoring interference and interpretation of data.
  • Practical bench experiment simulating interference.
  • Field work to set up temporary interference readings.
  • Computer modelling of interference.
  • Report and on-line real-time discussion.


    Module08
  • Ground resistivities.
  • Resistivity measurements.
  • Temperature and pressure effects.
  • Effects on corrosion.
  • Spread of protective currents.
  • Effects on monitoring measurements.
  • Groundbed siting.
  • Practical work with Mega, soil boxes, resistivity cells etc.

  • Report and on-line real-time discussion.


    Module09
  • Groundbed design.
  • Sacrificial anodes.
  • Impressed current anodes, materials conductors, volts drops, header cables, ring mains, insulation, jointing systems.
  • Groundbed potential profile plotting.
  • Closeness of anodes.
  • Horizontal, vertical, borehole and disused-used oil-wells.
  • Scrap metal groundbeds.
  • Practical bench experiments relating to groundbeds.
  • Field work with survey to locate a groundbed and plot it's profile.
  • Report and on-line real-time discussion.


    Module10
  • Transformer rectifier design and specification.
  • Output requirements for land and swamp applications compared.
  • Safety in design.
  • Safety in operation and maintenance.
  • Practical bench work with small transformer/rectifier.
  • Field visit to identify anf define a transformer recifier.
  • Report and on-line real-time discussion.

    Module11
  • Polarisation and de-polarisation.
  • CIPS surveys.
  • CIPS with switching.
  • Potential Gradient surveys.
  • Potential Gradient surveys with switching.
  • Practical bench demonstration of polarisation.
  • Field work to set up and monitor an example of polarisation and de-polarisation.
  • Report and on-line real-time discussion.


    Module12
  • Long term monitoring using coupons.
  • Installed monitoring using Isopotential cells.
  • Installed monitoring using anodes.
  • Installed monitoring using the Alexander Cell.
  • Maintenance and care of instruments, tools and equipment.
  • Old instruments and the advantages of hi-tech, solid state, digital instruments.
  • Analogue and digital recording compared.
  • Advantages over manual records and metering.
  • Test facilities, test post locations, electrode position, plastic insulation tube theory.
  • Students will be required to provide a summary and examples.
    for on-line real-time discussion.

    Module13
  • Current readings, shunts, multi-meters, magnetic filed meters, current direction detection systems.
  • Current paths and C.P. circuits.
  • Measurable and immeasurable electrolytic paths.
  • Current density.
  • Current requirements for protection.
  • Design, theoretical vs practical.
  • Demonstration on models and practice setting up and testing.
  • Field work to measure cathodic protection current.
  • Report and on-line real-time discussion.

    Module14
  • Tank farms and storage facilities.
  • Refineries and congested areas.
  • Pipes under concrete.
  • Isolation joints.
  • Pipeline manifolds.
  • Internal cathodic protection.
  • Ribbon anodes and line anodes.
  • Practical bench experiments.
  • Field visit with test measurements and report.
  • On-line real-time discussion.

    Module15
  • Computerisation of CP
  • The Dynamic Project
  • History of CP computer analysis.
  • Some software tools for analysis.


    Module16
  • Coatings and surface treatment.
  • Cathodic disbondment.
  • Hydrogen embrittlement and overprotection.
  • Anaerobic bacterial corrosion.
  • Leak investigation.
  • Corrosion damage reporting, imaging and castings.
  • Practical bench work.
  • Field visit with report, on-line real time discussion.


    Module17
  • Ground potential fluctuations.
  • Teluric effects, sunspots and earth magnetic turbulance.
  • Other identifiable metering disturbances
  • Field procedures (interpretation of 21 procedures on the web site)
  • Practical bench simulation of procedures and disturbances.
  • Field practice of each procedure with report.
  • On-line real time discussion.

    Module18
  • Offshore cathodic protection.
  • Sacrificial anodes offshore.
  • Impressed current systems offshore.
  • Isolation joints, flexible hose connections and safety.
  • Monitoring of offshore pipelines.
  • Monitoring of offshore platforms and structures.
  • Practical bench modelling of offshore pipeline CP
  • Report and on-line real time discussion.



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