Numerical Simulation of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICPP) Systems Using Boundary Element Methods

The numerical simulation of a prototypic ship and impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to determine the required current for adequate cathodic protection is documented in this paper. The prototypic ship is modeled using a commercial boundary element code. The propellor assembly and rudder are included in the boundary element model as separate detached geometric features. Nonlinear polarization data are used to define the material response. Electrolyte static ( low flow ) conditions are examined. The current required for cathodic protection for a bare steel hull is compared with an estimated value based on material polarization data.