Skip to Main Content
Skip Nav Destination
ASTM Selected Technical Papers
The Measurement and Correction of Electrolyte Resistance in Electrochemical Tests
By
R Taylor
R Taylor
1
University of Virginia
, Department of Materials Science, Thornton Hall,
Charlottesville, VA 22903
;
symposium chairman and editor
.
Search for other works by this author on:
L Scribner
L Scribner
2
University of Virginia
, Department of Materials Science, Thornton Hall,
Charlottesville, VA 22903
;
symposium chairman and editor
.
Search for other works by this author on:
ISBN-10:
0-8031-1283-1
ISBN:
978-0-8031-1283-4
No. of Pages:
231
Publisher:
ASTM International
Publication date:
1990

The purpose of this paper is to examine current interruption methods of estimating the level of polarization (off-potential) on a buried pipeline and to indicate some of the specific problems associated with field measurements. Data are reviewed that indicate the magnitude of the voltage (IR-drop) errors associated with potential measurements on buried pipelines. Oscilloscope tracings of pipe-to-soil potential waveforms are presented and a “spiking” condition is discussed which can significantly affect the ability to make an off-potential measurement at the instant of interruption. Stray currents and long-line currents, which can affect the ability to measure the level of polarization on an operating pipeline, are discussed. Methods of detecting stray currents and long-line currents are briefly presented.

1.
Hickling
,
A.
, “
Studies In Electrode Polarization; Part I—The Accurate Measurement Of The Potential Of A Polarized Electrode
,”
Transactions, Faraday Society
 0014-7672, Vol.
33
,
1937
, p. 1540.
2.
Darnielle
,
R.
, “
Measurement Of Electrode Potentials And Polarization In Soil Corrosion Cells
,”
Journal of Research National Bureau of Standards
, Vol.
25
,
1940
(RP1336), p. 421.
3.
Underground Corrosion
,
Logan
,
K. H.
,
National Bureau of Standards
, Circular C450,
1945
, p. 182.
4.
Miles
,
J. A.
, “
Eliminating IR-Drops From Potential Measurements
,”
Corrosion
, Vol.
28
,
1972
, p. 4.
5.
Britz
,
D.
and
Brocke
,
W. A.
, “
Elimination Of IR-Drop In Electrochemical Cells By The use Of A Current Interruption Potentiostat, Electroanalytical Chemistry and Enterfacial Electrochemistry
,” vol.
58
,
1975
, p. 301.
6.
Technology of Measurement
,”
Handbook Of Cathodic Protection
, Edited by
von Baeckmann
W.
and
Schwenk
W.
, English translation by E. Neufeld and P. Neufeld,
Portcullis Press, Ltd.
,
England
(
1975
), p. 90.
7.
Kasahara
,
K.
,
Sato
,
T.
, and
Actachi
,
H.
, “
An Improved Method For Measuring Pipe-To-Soil Potential And Current Density At Cathodically Protected Pipelines
,”
Materials Performance
, vol.
18
, no.
3
,
1979
, p. 79.
8.
Kasahara
,
K.
Sato
,
T.
, and
Actachi
,
H.
, “
Results of Polarization Potential And Current Density Surveys On Existing Buried Pipelines
,”
Materials Performance
, vol.
19
, no.
9
,
1980
, p. 45.
9.
Williams
,
L. F. G.
and
Taylor
,
R. J.
, “
IR Correction; Parts I—A Computerized Interrupt Method
,”
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
 0022-0728,
1980
, p. 293.
10.
Pearson
,
J. M.
Null Methods Applied To Corrosion Measurements
,”
Transactions of the Electrochemical Society
, vol.
81
,
1942
, p. 485.
11.
Newberry
,
E.
, “
Reversible Overvoltage
,”
Transactions of Faraday Society
 0014-7672, vol.
43
, no.
127
,
1947
, p. 127.
12.
Kordesh
,
K.
and
Marko
,
A.
, “
Sine Wave Pulse Current Testor For Batteries
,”
Journal of the Electrochemical Society
 0013-4651, Vol.
107
, No.
6
,
1960
, p. 480.
13.
Camitz
,
G.
,
Mattsson
,
E.
,
Carre
,
G.
, and
Linder
,
B.
, “
Measurement Techniques For Determining Interference Effects
,”
Materials Performance
, Vol.
20
, No.
11
,
1980
, p. 35.
14.
Mansfeld
,
F.
,
Kendig
,
M. W.
, and
Tasi
,
S.
, “
Corrosion Kinetics in Low Conductivity Media— I. Iron in Natural Waters
,”
Corrosion Science
 0010-938X, Vol.
22
, No.
5
,
1982
, p. 455.
15.
National Association Of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Recommended Practice RP-01-69, “
Control Of External Corrosion On Underground Submerged Metallic Piping Systems
.”
16.
Barlo
,
T. J.
and
Fessier
,
R. R.
, Annual Report on Project PR-3-93,
American Gas Association
, Arlington, VA, Catalog L51394 (
1979
).
17.
Thompson
,
N. G.
,
Ruck
,
G. T.
,
Walcott
,
K. J.
, and
Koch
,
G. H.
, Annual Report on “
Phase IV— Effectiveness Of Cathodic Protection
,” Gas Research Institute Report GRI87/0020, March, 1987.
18.
Thompson
,
N. G.
,
Walcott
,
K. J.
, and
Burnham
,
K. B.
, “
Instruments To Monitor The Level of Cathodic Protection On Buried Pipelines
,”
Proceedings
1986 International Gas Research Conference,
Toronto, Canada
,
09
1986
.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this chapter.
Close Modal

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal