Demonstration of Remote Monitoring Technology for Cathodic Protection Systems: Phase II

The Army owns and maintains more than 3000 miles of buried natural gas pipeline, 20,000 underground storage tanks (USTs), and more than 300 elevated water storage tanks. Cathodic protection (CP) is required by regulation on many of these structures to prevent corrosion. Periodic testing is required to ensure proper CP system operation, but many Directorates of Public Works (DPWs) do not have sufficient resources to conduct such tests regularly. Many malfunctions remain undetected until the structure corrodes and leaks. Several companies have begun manufacturing remote monitoring units (RMUs) for CP systems. This technology allows personnel to monitor multiple CP systems from a central location so problems can be detected and repaired immediately. An 8 month field evaluation of CP RMUs was performed to determine the effectiveness of systems from three manufacturers. Demonstration systems were selected on the basis of cost, features, availability, etc. RMU readings were compared with manual method readings throughout a variety of conditions. Units from only one manufacturer performed successfully. New systems have entered the market since this demonstration began.