Functional relationship between cathodic protection current/potential and duration of system deployment in desert conditions

In this paper we analyze functional correlation of the attenuation of protection current/potential in cathodic protection (CP) systems over the time. Our aim is to define protection current/potential function in correlation to CP system exploitation time, based on long term measurements of the current/potential. Correlation of the attenuation of the protective current/potential over the time period is established by comparison of the experimental data and data obtained from our analytical model. The analytical model allows prediction of the changes in the changes in the current/potential over the time and thus prediction and verification of the CP. Our data are collected for cathodic protection PCCP (Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe) in desert conditions. Usage of our model for the attenuation of protective current/potential over time of exploitation of a CP system significantly simplifies operational procedures and saves on time, equipment and measurements. Application of proposed mathematical model, make it is possible, without long-lasting measurements, reliably envisage evolution in time of a cathodic protection system.