Towards an Analytical, Computational and Experimental Framework for Predicting Aging of Cathodic Surfaces

Abstract

The present work introduces the motivation, architecture and preliminary analytical and computational framework that will eventually lead to aging predictions of cathodic surfaces along with its implications on impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems. This is necessary for adjusting ICCP systems in a manner that reflects the dissipative nature of cathodic surface assemblies while at the same time enabling potential electric far field requirements. We describe various approaches for developing Cathodic Surface Aging Models (CSAMs) based on both data-driven and first principles based methodologies. A computational ICCP framework is implemented to account for cathodic aging in a manner that allows the utilization of various CSAMs. An application of this framework demonstrates the applicability of the implications of the variability of the polarization curves as it is associated with cathodic surface aging. In addition to a data-driven CSAM based on a loft-surface approximation we also introduce a first principles thermodynamic theory for aging and the design of a systematic experimental task for validating and calibrating this theory.