Utilizing Pulse Cathodic Protection System in City Gas Pipelines and its Comparison with Conventional Cathodic Protection System

Improving and optimizing corrosion protection methods, including cathodic protection, has received much attention in recent years. Due to the advancement of science and technology and industry development, manufacturing and controlling rectifiers has also made significant progress. The performance characteristics and efficiency of rectifier components have improved over the years. Based on the studies, an industrial pulse rectifier that can produce pulsed current in the frequency range of 800 Hz to 60 kHz based on the desired frequency and duty cycle was successfully designed and manufactured. In order to evaluate the protection performance of this system in the field, the pulse rectifier was placed next to the conventional rectifier, and the protection conditions of the system were continuously monitored. Three test points with specified intervals were analyzed at frequency and duty cycle of 50 kHz and 73% (A), 60 kHz and 73% (B), 60 kHz and 50% (C), and 50 kHz and 50% (D), respectively. Results showed that AC voltage in the pulse system has decreased by more than 80% compared to the conventional system. In addition, the current consumption values showed that in the pulse system, the current consumption has decreased by more than 70% in certain values of frequency and duty cycle. Because the pulse wave has practically no current consumption during off time, energy consumption is greatly reduced, an important factor in energy consumption and economic costs. Also, this system has no cooling system like the conventional rectifiers. Accordingly, the system has a better performance at certain values of frequency and duty cycle. Such systems in areas with high electrolyte resistance can be considered a good option. Also, if the pipeline has a cover, the system can function properly even with the cover separation areas. Moreover, the protection potential became more uniform and remained within the protection range during the measurement period, despite the poor performance of the anode bed.