Cathodic protection criteria of low alloy steel in simulated deep water environment

Purpose The purpose of this work is to provide theoretical guidance and experimental analysis for optimized cathodic protection (CP) design of low alloy steel in deep water environments. Design/methodology/approach In the present study, the CP criteria of 10Ni5CrMoV low alloy steel were investigated in a simulated deep water environment (350 m) regarding the theoretical protection potential and measured protection potential. The influences of hydrostatic pressure (HP) and temperature were also discussed in detail. The theoretical protection potential was analyzed with the Nernst equation, and the measured minimum protection potential was derived by extrapolating the Tafel portion of anodic polarization curves. Findings The results indicate that the minimum protection potential of low alloy steel shifts to a positive value in a deep-ocean environment. This can be attributed to the combined effects of HP and the temperature. Moreover, the temperature has a stronger influence compared with HP. The results suggest that the CP potential criteria used in shallow water are still applicable in the deep ocean, which is further confirmed through the SEM and x-ray diffraction analysis of the corrosion products resulted from the potentiostatic cathodic polarization experiments at -0.85 V-CSE. Originality/value In recent decades, successful applications of CP for long-term corrosion protection of the steel components applied at a subsea level have enabled the offshore industry to develop reliable and optimized CP systems for shallow water. However, differences in the seawater environment at greater depths have raised concerns regarding the applicability of the existing CP design for deeper water environments. Hence, this research focuses on the CP criteria of low alloy steel in simulated deep water environment concerning the theoretical protection potential and measured protection potential. The influences of HP and temperature were also discussed.