CP system

Do we have to guess what your question is about?

What does 'CP' stand for?

John.

Further to Electroman's request, here are some possibilities. If your "CP" is one of those listed, please tick the box and return the enclosed forms. Otherwise, please use an extra sheet to explain fully.

[Can't find where to tick? Then you're as well-informed as we are.]

Try "impressed current CATHODIC PROTECTION"

It is an acronym, not an anachronism.

A real short, basic answer from a fool is--Steel pilings in saltwater erode through electrolysis(Dissimilar metals immersed in saltwater create a difference in potential or voltage) and impressing current that opposes the flow of electrons(Reversing the polarity), essentially stops the loss of material and the piling lasts forever and ever.

I concur with Kilgore Trout - it is likely to be Impressed Current Cathodic Protection.

As mentioned, corrosion occurs in water environments as there is an electrical cell created by electrolysis and the steel is corroded away.

You can coat the steel in zinc which in some cases, will create a galvanic reaction that means the corrosion cell corrodes the zinc in preference to the steel. In some environments, this galvanic reaction can be 'assisted' by using a low power impressed current to ensure that the corrosion cell works so that the zinc is sacrificial. If not designed and installed correctly, you can accelerate the corrosion of the steel. Ooops.

Impressed current and normal galvanic CP systems are also used to protect reinforcing bars in concrete structures.

An "active" cathodic protection system as distinct from a "passive" one where no current is introduced ("impressed") other than from the galvanic cell itself.

A galvanic cell exists when two different metals exist in the presence of an electrolyte, typically water.

The current is "impressed" to ensure that the anode gives itself up to the cathode. Thus, this is an "active" system.

I have a friend who recently dove for a contract inspection of steel pilings that were installed in the '60's(With a form of cathodic protection) and he said once the organic/natural material was removed the steel looked new.

It amazes me how firm a footing we have while standing on the shoulders of the past generations of true innovators.

It's a Cathodic Protection system that uses impressed current, with an external current supply, to protect a metal surface, for example pipeline in carbon steel. I din't know what is your level of knoledge on CP but, CP is a method to protect a steel surface by make if working as a cathode, this means that the surface will be protected and not corrode.

This can be achieved in two ways:

1) use a galvanic anode, that means connect the sruface to be protected to a metal taht will "corrode more easily" , for example zinc, aluminium...

2) apply an external current (impressed CP)

hope this help

S

Interesting links - thanks.

Thanks a lot, I think this is very useful info u have provided to me. Let me go through it, if anything unclear I will come back to u.