Cathodic Protection Technology

What is Corrosion?

Corrosion occurs when metal reacts with its environment, leading to rust and eventual deterioration. The metal loses electrons while reacting with substances such as oxygen, moisture, soil, and over time, this leads to deterioration of the metal’s physical & mechanical properties.

What is Cathodic Protection (CP)?

Cathodic protection (CP) is a technique used to reduce corrosion on metal structures that are buried or submerged, such as underground pipelines, storage tanks, jetty steel piles, etc.

In fact, it is also known as corrosion protection and is one of the most effective long-term methods to prevent corrosion-related damage.

It works by making the protected metal (such as a pipeline or tank) the cathode of an electrochemical cell, preventing it from losing electrons and corroding.

Corrosion Is Unavoidable, But Controllable.

Use of Coating

Coating is always applied as a Primary Solution to prevent the steel structures from corrosion. It acts as a physical barrier to prevent contact between the metal and the electrolyte.

However, over time, the coating will deteriorate, and coating defects (tiny pinholes) will be formed. As a result, the environment exposes bare metal, making it vulnerable to corrosion.

If the coating fails, nothing prevents corrosion from occurring.

Best Practice

Primary Protection: Coating / Wrapping

Secondary Protection: Cathodic Protection

In combination, applying both Coating & Cathodic Protection simultaneously greatly reduces the rate of corrosion on your structures.

Coating reduces the surface area requiring protection.

Corrosion protection ensures that any exposed metal, where a defective coating exposes structures to a corrosive environment, is protected from corrosion.

There are TWO (2) types of Cathodic Protection (CP) Systems:

Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP)

Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) uses an external power source, such as a transformer-rectifier, to supply a continuous flow of protective current to the metal, making it more effective for large structures like offshore platforms or long pipelines.

How ICCP Systems Works?

The system involves the installation of inert anodes (such as mixed metal oxide, graphite, or silicon-iron) in the environment surrounding the structure. The power supply connects its positive terminal to the anodes and its negative terminal to the metal structure. The externally supplied current flows from the anodes through the electrolyte (soil, water, or concrete) to the protected structure, effectively making the entire surface cathodic and halting corrosion.

Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection (SACP)

Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection (SACP) is a simple, effective, and widely used method of preventing corrosion in metallic structures. This system operates based on the principle of galvanic corrosion, where a more reactive (less noble) metal—called a sacrificial anode—is intentionally allowed to corrode in place of the protected structure.

How SACP Systems Works?

In an SACP system, the sacrificial anodes (commonly made of magnesium, zinc, or aluminum) are directly connected to the metal structure that needs protection. When you electrically connect both the anode and the protected structure and expose them to the same environment, the anode corrodes preferentially and supplies protective current to the steel or other metallic component. This process effectively turns the structure into a cathode, halting its corrosion.

Cathodic Protection Applications

Underground Water Pipeline

Tank Internal Surface

Submarine Pipeline

Buried Tank

External Surface Tank Bottom

Water Storage Tank

Product Storage Tank

Steel Pipes

Ship Hulls

Jacket Structure (Offshore)

Cathodic Protection – One-Stop Solution

ICP Engineering Solution provides service for both types of SACP & ICCP systems. From the initial site survey and detailed engineering design to installation, testing, and commissioning, we provide end-to-end solutions tailored to your specific needs.

We provide cathodic protection for pipes, tanks, piles, boats, and any other submerged/ buried steel structures.

Choosing our service gives you direct access to expert knowledge and technical expertise, making your cathodic project smooth, secure, and efficient. This approach is not only cost-effective but also significantly reduces project hassle, helping you save both time and cost while ensuring high-quality results from start to finish.