The Cu/CuSO4 electrode (CSE) is typically used as a reference electrode (RE) for monitoring the corrosion protection of pipelines and storage tanks. It requires periodic internal electrolyte replacement due to seasonal wet/dry cycles of soils. It also experiences problems including: (1) agglomeration of CuSO4 crystals at the electrode tip resulting in loss of electrochemical connection between the cell and soil and (2) leaking of the CuSO4 electrolyte into the surrounding soils. The leaking electrolyte may result in deposition of Cu on the steel surface which accelerates corrosion of the structure. To overcome those problems, a new RE is developed that is designed to (1) recover from dryout quickly when the soil rewets, (2) avoid salt agglomeration and (3) prevent accelerated corrosion of the monitored structure as a result of RE electrolyte leakage. In this paper, attempts toward this goal and experimental results are reported and discussed. This work proved the concept that metal/metal oxide rod as electrode and a hygroscopic salt as electrolyte salt would be viable for developing field REs.

Subject
Water, Salts, Sand, Oxides, Rebar, Tungsten, Potential measurements, Bubbling, Electrochemical potential, Electrodes, Relative humidity, Electrolytes, Electrode potential
Keywords:
Reference electrode, cathodic protection, pipelines, storage tanks, corrosion
© 2005 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2005
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.