CATHODIC PROTECTION SERVICES

When a Cathodic protection system is properly installed, all portions of the protected structure collect current form the surrounding electrolyte, and the entire exposed surface becomes a single corroding area - hence the name "Cathodic Protection". Cathodic Protection is applicable only to control corrosion resulting from the flow of measurable direct currents from one portion of a structure (the anodic area) through an electrolyte to another portion of the structure (the cathodic area). This is electrochemical in nature, and the anodic area, where current is discharged to the electrolyte, corrodes. Conversely, the cathodic areas collect the current an does not corrode, i.e. Cathodically Protected.

Electrochemical corrosion currents can be reserved by the proper application of cathodic protection, which makes the entire structure cathodic, overriding the naturally occurring anodic structure areas with direct current impressed on the structure from an external, more powerful anode. Those not fully conversant with it treat cathodic Protection as a somewhat mysterious term. Apparently, many feel that Cathodic Protection is a complicated procedure. In actuality, the basic idea of Cathodic Protection is very simple. Any complications involved arise during the application of this basic idea. Cathodic protection does not necessary eliminate corrosion. It does, however, transfer corrosion from the structure under protection and concentrates it at another known location where the current discharging anode or anodes can be designed for long life and easy replacement.

This phenomenon is of value only to the surface of the metal exposed to the same electrolyte as the anode, e.g. application to the exterior bottom of a salt water tank has no effect on the internal corrosion, and the internal corrosion has no effect on the external bottom of a salt water tank. A plot of the potential profile against pipeline distance or test point would be made. This will help to show areas of potential shift which may be caused by any or a combination of the following: - Coating holidays, insulation failure, interference problems, stray current effect and ground bed influence.

We current undertake some of these services with our partner company ENVITE Nigeria Limited.

Partnership Projects includes, Calibration of Valves, Temperature and Pressure Transmitters for Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) and Valve testing for ENI gas plant at Sanzule site.

LABORATORY ANALYSIS SERVICES

Sampling systems are an invaluable component to corrosion control systems implemented in a variety of industries. Sampling aids in the detection and measurement of key reactants or products in a corrosion process, such as corroded metal ions and oxygen. Sampling also allows the measurement of the pH level and the concentration of inhibitors present in the system. Sampling can be used in any environment to measure general corrosion, and the effects of corrosion control measures can normally be quickly detected. The aim of inhibitor Injection is to form a stable adherent film on the internal surface of a pipeline or vessel, which acts as a barrier to aggressive products in the flow line.

The function of the inhibitor can be to slow down the anodic or cathodic reaction, or to generate a film which increases the electrolytic resistance of the circuit. The liquid inhibitor can be added either as a batch or a continuous injection. Oil production systems handle crude oil mixed with water that can contain salts and dissolved gases (e.g. C02 and H2S), which are corrosive. The concentration of dissolved gases can be very high and the pH correspondingly low, creating a very corrosive environment. To minimize this situation, sampling to accurately verify the corrosive environment present, and injecting effective inhibitors, can prove to be an efficient preventive maintenance method. Our injection/sampling system offers the advantage of easy, accurate sampling, and efficient distribution of inhibition agents, thus preventing corrosion, fouling, or scaling.