Investigation of the telluric effects arising along the cathodically protected natural gas pipeline between Karadeniz Ereğli and Düzce

Cathodic protection is one of the most widely used applications for protecting underground and submarine metallic structures from corrosion. This method is based on providing the electrons, which metallic structures lose as a result of electrolytic reaction, by the cathodic protection system. However, from time to time, it may be possible that there is some unwanted interference input into the metallic structure in such applications. This study is aimed at ascertaining the existence, arising frequency, and magnitude of an interference called the telluric effect that is going in and out of the natural gas pipeline between Düzce and Karadeniz Ereğli in Turkey, which is 60 km in length and has a 40.64 cm diameter, and is well coated with polyethylene. In this study, the pipe/ground potential values, electrical currents coming from the anode bed, and soil resistivity values were measured at different times and regions along the pipeline. In conclusion, it was found that these changes did not arise at a certain period or at any point between the Düzce PIG and Ereğli RMS station, although it did occur strongly around the Akal Take-Off.

Investigation of the telluric effects arising along the cathodically protected natural gas pipeline between Karadeniz Ereğli and Düzce

Cathodic protection is one of the most widely used applications for protecting underground and submarine metallic structures from corrosion. This method is based on providing the electrons, which metallic structures lose as a result of electrolytic reaction, by the cathodic protection system. However, from time to time, it may be possible that there is some unwanted interference input into the metallic structure in such applications. This study is aimed at ascertaining the existence, arising frequency, and magnitude of an interference called the telluric effect that is going in and out of the natural gas pipeline between Düzce and Karadeniz Ereğli in Turkey, which is 60 km in length and has a 40.64 cm diameter, and is well coated with polyethylene. In this study, the pipe/ground potential values, electrical currents coming from the anode bed, and soil resistivity values were measured at different times and regions along the pipeline. In conclusion, it was found that these changes did not arise at a certain period or at any point between the Düzce PIG and Ereğli RMS station, although it did occur strongly around the Akal Take-Off.

___

  • D.H. Boteler, R.J. Pijola, H. Nevanlinna, “The effect of geomagnetic disturbances on electrical systems at the Earth’s surface”, Advances in Space Research, Vol. 22, pp. 1–21, 1998.
  • N.J. Allison, W.E. Huddleston, “Extraneous currents noted on large transmission pipe line system”, NACE International - The Corrosion Society, Vol. 8, p. 1, 1952.
  • W.H. Campbell, “Induction of auroral zone electric currents within the Alaska pipeline”, Pure and Applied Geophysics, Vol. 116, pp. 1143–1173, 1978.
  • J. Morgan, Cathodic Protection, Houston, NACE International, 1987.
  • T.G. Proctor, “Experience with telluric current interference in the cathodic protection of a buried pipeline in New Zealand”, Materials Performance, Vol. 13, pp. 6–24, 1974.
  • Wikipedia, “Telluric current,” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telluric current, accessed on 18 December 2011. R. Pirjola, A. Viljanen, A. Pulkkinen, J. Amm, “Space weather risk in power systems and pipelines”, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth Part C, Vol. 25, pp. 333–347, 2000.
  • A. Ashworth, C. Googan, Cathodic Protection Theory and Practice, West Sussex, Ellis Horwood Ltd., 1993.
  • L.L. Shreir, Corrosion Control, London, Newness-Butterworths, 1972.
  • A.W. Peabody, Control of Pipeline Corrosion, Houston, NACE International, 1967.
  • R.A. Gummow, P. Eng, “GIC effects on pipeline corrosion and corrosion control systems”, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Vol. 64, pp. 1755–1764, 2002.
Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science-Cover
  • ISSN: 1300-0632
  • Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 6 Sayı
  • Yayıncı: TÜBİTAK