NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers Cathodic Protection Principles Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to NACE SP0169, which of the following is the most commonly accepted minimum protective potential for carbon steel in soil or water, when measured with respect to a copper-copper sulfate electrode (CSE)?

Accepted Answer

-850 mV

Answer

NACE Standard Practice SP0169 establishes -850 mV relative to a CSE as the primary criterion for adequate cathodic protection of steel. Achieving this potential indicates that the net electrochemical potential across the structure's surface has been shifted to a point where corrosion is effectively mitigated.

Question 2

An engineer is designing a cathodic protection system for a large, poorly coated, cross-country pipeline with high current requirements. Which type of CP system is generally more suitable and cost-effective for this application, and why?

Accepted Answer

Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP), because it can provide a higher, adjustable current output.

Answer

ICCP systems are ideal for large or poorly coated structures with high current demands. They use an external power source (rectifier) to drive a large and adjustable amount of current from long-lasting anodes, making them more economical and effective for such applications over the long term.

Question 3

Which of the following anode materials is most commonly used in a sacrificial anode cathodic protection (SACP) system for a steel structure in a high-resistivity soil environment?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium

Answer

Magnesium has the most negative potential (highest driving voltage) of the common sacrificial anode materials. This high driving potential is necessary to supply sufficient protective current in high-resistivity electrolytes like many soils.

Question 4

A technician measures a structure-to-electrolyte potential of -950 mV CSE on a pipeline protected by an ICCP system while the rectifier is operating. Immediately after interrupting the current source, the potential reading shifts instantly to -750 mV CSE. What does this instantaneous voltage shift represent?

Accepted Answer

IR drop error

Answer

The instantaneous potential shift that occurs when the protective current is interrupted is the voltage drop (IR drop) through the resistive electrolyte. This value is an error in the 'on' potential measurement and is not part of the structure's protective polarization. 'Instant-off' potentials are taken to eliminate this error and determine the true polarized potential.

Question 5

In an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system, what is the primary function of the rectifier?

Accepted Answer

To convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

Answer

The rectifier is the power supply for an ICCP system. Its main function is to convert commercially available high-voltage alternating current (AC) into the low-voltage, high-amperage direct current (DC) required to drive the protective current from the anodes to the structure (cathode).

NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers Certification Practice Test

NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers Certification Practice Test

NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers Cathodic Protection Principles Questions and Answers