Stray current corrosion coordination of power facilities with pipeline rectifiers and other dc sources

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Mater. Performance; (United States)

OSTI ID:5556716

Zastrow, O W

Coordination of protective measures is the best, most economical means of preventing stray-current damage to power systems, pipelines, and other underground metals, recommends the Rural Electrification Administration, US Department of Agriculture. REA examines the situations where a-c or d-c current is collected and discharged, ways to identify locations where stray currents are active, types of materials and installations affected by them, and mitigation measures. Because of the increased mileage of power lines, communication cables, and pipelines underground, as well as the growing use of cathodic protection, especially on bare or poorly coated pipelines, difficulties with stray current are increasing. The most likely sources of stray-current corrosion are cathodic-protection rectifiers installed to prevent corrosion on pipelines and other underground metallic structures. Other probable sources are d-c electrified equipment and high-voltage d-c power transmission facilities. Cooperative coordination of electric and pipeline company efforts involves (1) approaching the problem with the aim of finding the best engineering solution based on total cost, as though one owner were responsible for both facilities, (2) avoiding discussions about responsibility (either for the trouble or for remedies) in favor of a concentrated analysis of the problem and choices available for correcting it, and (3) deciding how the work should be done and costs shared only after choosing the best engineering solution to the problem. Cooperation can be effective over a longer period, provided that (1) the managements of both organizations acknowledge and support the exchange of information, testing, and analysis as an established organization policy and (2) support continues through an organizational framework.

• OSTI ID: 5556716
• Journal Information: Mater. Performance; (United States), Journal Name: Mater. Performance; (United States) Vol. 18; ISSN MTPFB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200300 -- Electric Power Engineering-- Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105* -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
ALTERNATING CURRENT
CATHODIC PROTECTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
COST
CURRENTS
DAMAGE
DIRECT CURRENT
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
EQUIPMENT
LEVELS
METALS
PIPELINES
POWER SYSTEMS
RECTIFIERS
UNDERGROUND