Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) for LPG Storage - Part 2

In Part 2 Ian Loudon Omniflex International Sales and Marketing Manager elaborates further on the key aspects related to implementation of this Intrinsically Safe ICCP Project

Cathodic protection (CP) system design is always tackled using the professional service of CP specialists who do all the initial survey work, soil chemistry, required impressed current density and cable calculations to deliver the desired current to the CP zones, for corrosion prevention.

Meeting the safety criteria required for a hazardous installation raises the bar by an order of magnitude for CP engineers by the need to limit the energy delivered to the hazardous area to levels that are incapable of ignition. This impacts on the CP loop calculations since the addition of voltage drops through the safety barriers needs to be accounted for ensuring the required performance from the Transformer Rectifiers (TR) ?

Smart Transformer Rectifiers

Omniflex has designed smart transformer rectifier units in a variety of sizes from 100W to 3000W which provide individual control to each CP zone independently. This allows precise control of the TR output automatically by linking back reference readings related to the zone back via a controller. Effectively every zone can have its own smart TR which manages the Impressed current to the Gas bullet structure defined zone.

Reference Inputs

All references inputs and coupons are monitored via ultra-high impedance multiplexer input boards which are connected to the CP controller.

Local Touch Screen Interface

The system provides real time monitoring of the corrosion protected system and facilitates automated tested and logging of data.

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CP system designer Neil Webb Technical Director of Isinyithi Corrosion Protection www.isinyithi.co.za and world renowned CP consulting engineer responsible for the detailed design and commissioning of the Sunrise Energy CP system comments “Having pioneered and implemented a similar design in the late 1990s for Engen Refinery and several other sites, the built in monitoring capabilities of Omniflex PowerView system was the perfect fit for the requirements of the Sunrise Energy System which is the largest project tackled to date. The built-in monitoring capability of the Omniflex hardware has provided the asset owner with a real-time condition assessment of the bullets in terms of external corrosion. Essential to the successful implementation of an Intrinsically Safe cathodic protection systems is the requirement for a high integrity protective coating and the meticulous monitoring thereof.”

The system was installed in marshalling panels, with the human machine interface panel located in the control room allowing full system monitoring and testing from the Control Room.

“The solution Omniflex provided for Sunrise Energy has several key benefits, for the asset owner and the consulting engineering team including automated testing routines and long-term cloud-based data logging with remote access for expert remote engineering teams”.

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For more information on intrinsically safe CP systems, or to discuss how Omniflex can help you overcome any challenges your business faces in terms of remote monitoring CP systems, visit www.omniflex.com or call Omniflex South Africa on +27 31 207 7466.