In the hydrocarbon industry, cathodic protection is essential to prevent pipeline corrosion and extend their service life. Infrastructure operators must ensure that their systems are adequately protected, which requires constant and precise measurements. However, the verification process presents various technical challenges that can affect the reliability of the obtained data.
The challenge of accurate measurements
One of the verification methods in cathodic protection is the Instant Off technique, which measures the pipeline’s true potential when the protection current is disconnected. However, the capacitive effect on pipelines can alter these measurements, generating inaccurate values and making it difficult to assess the system’s real condition.
This issue is common in cathodic protection systems where conventional decouplers fail to compensate for these interferences, forcing technicians to make decisions based on unreliable data. To address this situation, Dairyland Electrical Industries has developed the PCRX, a next-generation decoupler designed to overcome these challenges.
The PCRX: An advanced solution for accurate measurements
The PCRX represents a technological breakthrough thanks to its solid-state design and its ability to actively compensate for the capacitive effect on pipelines. This device enables Instant Off and Close Interval Surveys measurements with unprecedented accuracy, in less than 500 milliseconds.
Its key advantages include:
- Active decoupling: Eliminates distortions in measurements, ensuring accurate results.
- Ultra-fast response time: Facilitates field technicians’ work, optimizing their processes.
- Universal compatibility: Can be integrated into various industrial environments.
- Durability and resistance: Designed to withstand extreme conditions and operate reliably over the long term.
The PCRX employs proprietary technology developed by Dairyland, positioning it as a unique and highly efficient solution. Since its launch, the PCRX has been successfully implemented in various regions, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Europe. Hydrocarbon sector companies have adopted this technology to improve the reliability of their measurements and reduce the impact of electrical interferences on their infrastructures.
Innovation in the sector at AMPP 2024
The evolution of this kind of corrosion control techniques requires technologies that enable more accurate and reliable measurements. The PCRX by Dairyland has established itself as a key tool to ensure the effectiveness of measurements in critical infrastructures, offering solutions that surpass the limitations of conventional decouplers. The adoption of advanced technologies like the PCRX makes a difference in industrial asset protection, ensuring safety, efficiency, and an extended service life for hydrocarbon transportation infrastructures.
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Source and photo: Inspenet.