Abstract
This paper summarizes an assessment of the feasibility of implementing cathodic protection (CP) as an internal corrosion prevention strategy for nuclear waste storage tanks. The study investigates the principles of cathodic protection and its applicability to the unique environment of nuclear waste storage. By reviewing the relevant literature, this research explores the various threats and challenges associated with implementing CP in this specific context. A boundary element analysis (BEA) model of a steel tank with a simplified impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system was developed using polarization curves that were experimentally measured from coupons in simulated waste. This model was developed to evaluate the interaction of electrochemical potentials of the various waste layers within the tank. The modeling results indicate that the simulated ICCP system is capable of shifting the polarized potentials of the internal tank surfaces to levels required to mitigate stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and corrosion.
