Distribution of Stray Current in Buried Pipeline

Abstract

Electrochemical corrosion happens when stray currents leak out of buried pipeline. This will threaten the safety of pipeline operation and operators. The distribution of stray current was studied by simulation system. The results indicate that stray current intensities have the same distribution with potential gradient Esx which parallel to the metallic pipeline. The distribution curves of stray current show regular symmetry. The stray currents increase gradually along the buried metallic pipeline. It reaches maximum at the pipeline midpoint. The potential gradient Esy distribution curves in y-direction show a hyperbolic shape. For the exits of faradic electric field, stray current intensity is maximum in the beginning and it flows into the pipeline. It flow along the pipeline and parallel to the pipeline at middle. After that, the stray currents begin to flow back to cathode and the stray current intensity reaches maximum at the end of pipeline.