Optimizing the electrode position in sacrificial anode cathodic protection systems using boundary element method

In this paper, a sacrificial anode cathodic protection problem of 2D steel storage tank was simulated using boundary element method. The tank was protected by a zinc anode located directly on structure wall. Data obtained from potentiodynamic measurements were used as boundary condition. In this study, optimum location of the anode was determined, and the influence of anode length and paint defect on the level of protection provided by system were investigated. This study showed that boundary element method is beneficial in modeling and analyzing cathodic protection systems and calculated results were consistent with expectations from the basic corrosion concepts.