Corrosion Protection of Arctic Offshore Structures: Final Report. [Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Required Cathodic Protection Current]

• Main Authors: Sackinger, W. M., Rogers, J. C., Feyk, C., Theuveny, B.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: University of Alaska Fairbanks. Geophysical Institute. 1985
• Subjects: Building Materials; Elements; Alloys; 423000 > Engineering > Marine Engineering > (1980-); 36 Materials Science; Current Density; Progress Report; Document Types; Offshore Drilling; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Seawater; Drilling; Polar Regions; Computer Codes; 360105 > Metals & Alloys > Corrosion & Erosion; Arctic Regions; Electric Conductivity; Electrical Properties; Materials; Electric Currents; Offshore Platforms; Corrosion Protection; Oxygen; Electrodes; Water 020300* > Petroleum > Drilling & Production; Salinity; Microscopy; 42 Engineering; Physical Properties; Oxygen Compounds; Iron Alloys; M Codes; Temperature Effects; Electron Microscopy; Anodes; Cathodic Protection; Steels; Currents; 02 Petroleum; Ice; Concretes; Nonmetals; Hydrogen Compounds; Iron Base Alloys; 420206 > Engineering > Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities > (1980-1989); Arctic; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/6851513; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1181512/

Results are presented for a research program on corrosion prevention for Arctic offshore structures which are in contact with sea ice for a significant portion of the year. The electrical method most adaptable for structure protection involves the injection of impressed current from several remote anodes buried just beneath the sea floor. The electrical resistivity of annual sea ice as a function of temperature and salinity is presented. Details of the interface layers formed between sea ice and steel in the presence of current injection are shown. A computer program was developed to enable the calculation of protective current density into the structure, in the presence of ice rubble and ridges around the structure. The program and the results of an example calculation are given for a caisson- retained island structure. 81 refs., 103 figs., 3 tabs.