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Mitigation of AC Induced Voltage On Buried Metallic Pipelines
Mitigation of AC Induced Voltage On Buried Metallic Pipelines
1
CGL ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
Outline of Presentation
Causes of AC voltages on pipelines
Mitigation options
What is AC Interference ?
Electrical currents and electromagnetic fields from the
powerline in close proximity of a pipeline can produce
AC voltages on pipelines
Pipeline Integrity
Coating damage
AC induced corrosion
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Personnel Safety
Safety standards for personnel are based on Touch
and Step potentials which can result in shock
hazards.
Step potential is the voltage difference measured
between two points on the earth separated by a
distance of 1 pace (1 meter)
Touch potential is the voltage difference between a
metallic structure and a point on the earth separated
by a distance of the normal reach of human (1 m)
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Coating Damage
Fault currents from powerlines can be
collected and discharged from pipelines
at coating holidays
Coating damage can occur when voltage
exceed the dielectric strength of the
coating
Arching stresses may damage the
pipeline
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AC Induced Corrosion
Recent finding indicate that AC current can cause
2% of the equivalent DC electrolysis problems on
steel pipelines
AC induced corrosion is primarily a function of
current density on steel structures. The general
likelihood of AC induced corrosion is:
Current density < than 30A/m² : no or low
Current > than 30A/m² < 100 A/m² : medium
Current density > than 100A/m² : very high
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AC Interference Mechanism
Generation of AC induced voltages on a
pipeline typically occur by one of the
following mechanisms:
Capacitive coupling
Resistive coupling (electrolytic)
Inductive coupling
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Capacitive Coupling
Inductive Coupling
Current flow in the powerline creates an electromagnetic field
surrounding the conductors
An AC voltage can be induced on a metallic structure
positioned in the magnetic field
Occurs during normal operating conditions of the powerline
The induced potential on the affected pipeline can reach 100’s
of volts and present shock hazards
Pipelines within 350m to a HV powerline should be
investigated
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AC Interference Mitigation
Equipotential gradient control mats
Test stations
Main line valves
Meter stations
Casing vents
Parallel zinc ribbon grounding electrodes
Point grounding with sacrificial anodes
DC de-couplers devices
Dead front construction of test stations
Non-metallic casing vents
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Test Station
Ground Mat
Water Pipeline Connected to Pipe
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Underground Pipeline
Induced Voltage
Without Anodes
With Anodes
Distance
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DC De-coupling Device
Conducts AC current & blocks DC
current
AC current is dissipated to earth
Electronic Polarization Cell
Replacements (PCR)
Insulating Flange
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AC Interference Modeling
CDEGS Interference Analysis Software
2 .5
1 .5
0.5
120
No Mitigation
Single Ribbon Mitigation
Double Ribbon Mitigation
90 15-Volt Maximum
VOLTS
60
30
15-Volt Maximum
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
CONSTRUCTION MILEPOST
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Thank You