CathFlow® ICCP for buried pipeline

CathFlow® ICCP have the ability to cathodically protect the buried pipelines against corrosion. The system can be applied by installation of continuos anodes or remote anodes. Both have their advantages. 

CathFlow® ICCP material package

CathFlow® ICCP has the ability to cathodically protect any underground steel pipelines, regardless of size and coating condition.

The CathFlow® ICCP package consist of control panel in cabinet, ICCP anodes and measuring equipment, normally consisting of reference cells and monitoring coupons.

The CathFlow® ICCP control panel can be connected to any kind of ICCP anodes and reference cells, and includes the following features:

• Accurate and smooth DC output current
• Flexible system with expandable output effect
• User-friendly operation
• Automatic logging
• Prepared for remote monitoring

Different ICCP anodes may be used for underground pipeline protection. Most common are cable-like polymer anodes and high silicon iron anodes. See the full range of ICCP products.

CathFlow® –  designed to fit future demands for pipeline systems

MasterCath® – remote access software

MasterCath® works by pairing a remote computer with CathFlow® ICCP control panels installed for the pipeline.

The software provides an intuitive dashboard with realtime operational values, alarm detection and several other useful features.

ICCP explained

Impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems have the benefit of an external power source to impose protective current. This makes it possible to protect any buried structure, regardless of size and current requirement, by using long life anodes and appropriately sized power supplies. You may also want to read about design of corrosion protection for underground pipelines.

The most important feature of an ICCP system is the ability to continuously monitor the level of protection and adapt to the current required to stop corrosion. Learn more about the principles of cathodic protection.

Continuous anode system

Continuous anodes can be used in all type of soil conditions, but is particularly well suited for high or various resistivities, and where there is risk for interference with other structures. The anode is installed directly in the pipeline trench and in close vicinity of the pipeline. The anode is laid parallel to the pipeline, energised by one or more control panels (DC power supply).

The continuous anode has the following advantages:

• Even current distribution to the entire length of pipeline
• Reduced risk for overprotection or underprotection
• Independent from soil resistivity variations
• Reduced risk for interference with other structures
• Ensure low anode-to-soil resistance for the entire anode length
• Simplifies installation
• Long lifetime

Remote anode system

Remote anode system is used for pipelines in non-developed areas with an even and low soil resistivity, and where there are no other nearby buried metallic structures.

A group of anodes (also called anode bed) are buried distantly from the pipeline, normally 20-100 m aside the pipeline. The remote anodes have the following advantages:

• Protects long pipeline sections with a limited number of anodes
• Cost efficient
• High utilisation factor and long lifetime
• Simplifies surveys and measurements for coating defect detection

The remote anode groundbeds can be arranged either as vertical shallow groundbed, horisontal shallow groundbed or deep well groundbed. Each groundbed can consist one or more high silicon iron anodes in canister.

Measurement equipment

In order to control the cathodic protection level, measurement equipment should be installed aside the pipeline at certain locations. Due to very dense coating systems used, the measurement equipment should include both a suitable reference cell and a steel monitoring coupon for accurate cathodic protection potential measurements during pipeline site surveys.