A decision to install Impressed Current Cathodic Protection on two 436 feet high cooling towers with a
surface area of 385,000 square feet each was proven to be the right corrosion mitigation choice when
all other electrochemical methods and repair techniques were assessed.
The selection process for the use of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection included a series of testing
and evaluation methods that are used to determine the most affective approach. Due to the ever
increasing test methods and long term repair solutions being offered by the market, owners are often in
a difficult position to receive best advice and make the appropriate long term repair decision for their
structures.
Decisions are typically influenced by market trends and costs by personnel who have the objective to
sell their products to the owners. In the majority of cases material sales companies do not offer the full
range of products nor have the technical ability to be advising clients on their structure.
Only when clients engage the involvement of independently qualified engineers, can they receive the
right solution for their structure. This is typically due to the engineer’s ability to evaluate the condition,
provide the right solution and whole of life cycle probabilities for the structure. This includes the
analysis of all available products on the market.
For this particular project, the involvement of the engineer was critical, as a selective approach based
on condition was followed allowing the client to receive the correct solution for his corrosion problem.
In many instances, impressed current cathodic protection may be the right methodology though not all
clients have the budgets to carry out the works. Preliminary studies and required testing to carry out
this type of work may seem costly from the onset, however, a corrosion condition analysis can allow the
client to determine the corrective action and time frame within which to carry out this action.