CORROSION CONTROL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A NEW WELL WATER LINE

An impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system was recently installed to provide corrosion control protection for approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of underground, direct buried ductile iron piping at the Savannah River Plant (SRP). The piping system serves well water pumps and delivers the water from two newly installed water wells to the main plant area for potable and domestic water use.

The route of the piping traverses a variety of soil conditions and for a significant length, is installed in a power line right-of-way with direct buried copper cable counterpoise. The conditions presented a unique challenge for the designers of the corrosion control system, especially considering the safety precautions required.

Extensive detailed testing was performed along the proposed route of the pipeline. This was required to gather the engineering data necessary to establish soil characteristics and the specific requirements for such a corrosion control system. The results of the testing, the design options which were evaluated, the problems encountered during construction, and the effectiveness of the installed system are discussed.