Finite Element Modeling for Cathodic Protection of Pipelines under Simulating Thermocline Environment in Deep Water Using a Dynamic Boundary Condition

Abstract

A finite element model (FEM) was established to calculate the cathodic protection (CP) potential distribution on pipelines, under the environment of the thermocline structure in deep water. Supplemental boundary conditions were applied on the interfaces of two different mediums in the thermocline model. To solve the problem of time-dependent polarization curves due to calcareous deposits formed on the steel surface during CP in seawater, a dynamic boundary condition based on Ohm's law was proposed, instead of polarization curves or the Butler-Volmer equation. A good agreement was obtained between the calculated and experimental potential distributions, which proved that the model was practical and feasible. The anode placement studies revealed that the anode could supply a more efficient protection when it was placed at the thermocline zone rather than the surface zone or the deep water zone.