Using solar energy in galvanic anode cathodic protection systems

Abstract

Many of the materials we use in our daily life are obtained from the mineral ores found naturally in the soil in the form of salt and oxide. When a processed metallic material is in an electrolyte environment, it tries to return to its pure state (corrosion). Underground gas, oil and water etc. Various methods are used to protect pipelines against corrosion. In the cathodic protection system with galvanic anode, which is one of these methods, the required protection current is provided by the galvanic anodes. However, as long as these anodes protect under the ground or in water, they lose their mass over time because they give electric current to the metal structure and after a while, these anodes become dysfunctional. Since the replacement of galvanic anodes causes high cost and time loss, the life of the anodes should be extended. For this reason, a method that extends the life of the anodes used in cathodic protection systems with galvanic anodes was used in the study. This method is a system that uses solar energy, which is one of the renewable energy sources. With this system used, the life of the anode was extended by providing cathodic protection. Finally, the results were analyzed by comparing the designed system with the standard systems.