Pipes and Pipelines Protection Methods

Abstract

The protection of pipelines against corrosion and chemical attack requires not only the knowledge of the material carried but also of the environment of the pipeline. Pipelines may be buried in various soils or sea water etc. or be exposed to other chemical attack from surrounding chemical plant, industrial atmosphere or exposed to salt‐laden atmospheres. They may be subjected to both extremes of temperature — severe winters and hot summers. Immersed pipelines resting on or near the bottom of the sea‐bed will be subject to abrasion from sand and silt, barnacles and other fouling which can penetrate some coatings. Sulphate‐reducing bacteria are capable of corroding buried pipelines, whether steel or concrete. Protection of pipelines must therefore be carefully considered after studying all of these factors. The very high cost of corrosion of pipelines has led to the development of improved materials, application methods and inspection. The financial benefits gained are considerable — extended life, especially with abrasion resistant coatings, reduced plant shut down, reduced cost of cleaning equipment, guaranteed product purity and increased product through‐put due to reduction in frictional resistance etc.