Performances of different anodes in regional cathodic protection

Forms and layouts of anodes are critical to successful design of regional cathodic protection system in process pipelines of oil/gas transmission stations. To clarify performances of different anodes in regional cathodic protection systems, with consideration to effectiveness of regional cathodic protection systems, application of anodes with different forms are analyzed for regional cathodic protection of underground process pipelines in oil/gas transmission stations. Research results show that deep-well anodes and flexible anodes deployed are characterized by even distribution of protective currents and balanced distribution of protective potentials, while distributive shallow-buried anodes are characterized by significant differences in distribution of protective potentials. With consideration to specific features of deep-well anodes, flexible anodes and shallow-buried anodes, principles for selection of suitable anodes for specific applications are highlighted after analysis on applicability and application conditions of different anodes. It is proposed to apply numerical simulation in optimization of the design for regional cathodic protection systems to ensure proper layout of anodes.