Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


INVESTIGATION OF SOIL CORROSIVITY VIS-À-VIS INSTALLATION AND CATHODIC PROTECTION OF BURIED CARBON STEEL PIPE: A CASE STUDY

Amaghionyeodiwe, C. A.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

Igboayaka, E. C.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

Onwubali, W. U.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria



ABSTRACT

Soil corrosivity and cathodic protection of buried-carbon steel pipe at two locations beside the workshop building that are 10metres apart of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike was investigated. The objective is to ascertain whether the soil physicochemical characteristics and resistivity support the corrosion of the buried carbon steel in two locations of the study area. The chemical properties considered include pH value, chloride and sulphate content while the physical property investigated is the moisture content. Result shows that the pH values range from 5.27 to 6.13 and 4.19 to 5.22 for locations A and B, respectively indicating acidity. The chloride content of site A ranges from 43mg/l to 109 mg/l while that attributed to site B ranges from 103 mg/l to 134 mg/l. The overall sulphate content ranges from 36 mg/l to 93 mg/l indicating mild corrosivity of the soil sample while the moisture content ranges from 8.11% to 12.02% for sample site A and 12.38% to 14.90% for sample site B. The soil samples contained less than 40% moisture content which is assumed to be mildly corrosive and less corrosive nature towards the buried carbon steel pipe. The soil resistivity of the soil sample ranges between 13.2575 to 304146 indicating the corrosive nature of the soil. The buried carbon steel was polarized within the potential ranging from –860 and –1080 within 20weeks of observation. Thus, sacrificial anode cathodic protection (SACP) technique is suitable for the cathodic protection of the buried mild steel pipe.


Keywords: soil corrosivity, cathodic protection, moisture content, pipeline


https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v7i1_9
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Published
Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Issue
Vol. 7 No. 1, June 2021

Article Section
GENERAL

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