Corrosion Control
 Controlling Corrosion
Every buried metallic utility has the potential to corrode. The rate of corrosion primarily depends upon the corrosivity of the environment (soils and waters) in which the utility is installed. It is critical that the materials of construction, lining, and coating options selected during the design phase of a project should include a corrosivity assessment to determine the risk for corrosion failures.
It is also important that, once installed, corrosion control facilities are activated, monitored, and maintained by a qualified corrosion engineer. All buried metallic pipelines that carry materials considered to be hazardous, such as oil and gas transmission pipelines, must be cathodically protected and regularly maintained by a “corrosion expert,” as mandated and regulated the United States Department of Transportation. Additionally, the US EPA regulates cathodic protection of underground storage tanks (USTs) and requires that all work be done by qualified corrosion experts.
How PBS&J Helps
PBS&J conducts corrosivity analyses and provides corrosion control designs with the goal of assisting architects and engineers in the design of structures that both stand the test of time and minimize operation and maintenance costs. Additionally, PBS&J provides testing, monitoring, and maintenance of existing corrosion control systems and can help agencies minimize their risk for corrosion failures by establishing annual monitoring and maintenance programs.
PBS&J provides single-source corrosion engineering services that include:
Soil Corrosivity Assessments
Field soil resistivity testing, soil chemical analysis, stray current interference analysis, and Soil Corrosivity Evaluation Reports that include specific corrosion control recommendations with respect to materials of construction and coating options.
Corrosion Control and Cathodic Protection Design
Corrosion control markups of plan and profile drawings, cathodic protection current requirement calculations, sacrificial anode and impressed current cathodic protection designs and details, corrosion control specifications, and engineering cost estimates.
Inspection and Testing Services
Inspection and testing of insulators, test stations, rectifiers, deepwell anodes, sacrificial anodes, exothermic welds, and associated wiring; pipeline continuity testing; Holiday (spark) testing; pipe-to-soil potential surveys; and cathodic protection system performance evaluations.
Corrosion Control Monitoring, Assessment, and Maintenance
Corrosion control and cathodic protection monitoring and maintenance of existing systems, annual pipe-to-soil potential surveys (of both pipelines and water storage tanks), system performance surveys, and preparation of Corrosion Control Manuals. Corrosion Control Manuals provide the client with a comprehensive record of existing facilities and provides information regarding history, corrosion data, facility locations, and performance evaluations of their corrosion control systems.
PBS&J performs all work under the direct supervision of a NACE International Certified Cathodic Protection Specialist who is experienced in corrosion control and cathodic protection design of underground pipelines and USTs. This certification meets the definition of “corrosion expert” as defined by the US EPA and under 40 CFR 280.12 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Long-term and corrosion-free performance of a well-designed structure is largely dependent upon the ability of the structure to resist corrosion. PBS&J provides testing, monitoring, and maintenance services that helps owners minimize corrosion.
Complementary Services
PBS&J is a full-service engineering and consulting firm with expertise and experience in a wide range of services, including:
- Ecological assessments and monitoring
- Wetland delineation
- Restoration ecology
- Hazardous waste and environmental compliance
- Site remediation
- Risk assessment
- Permit management and compliance
- Pipeline route studies
- Hydraulic and surge analyses
- Detailed pipeline design
- Property acquisition assistance
- Surveying
- Construction services
- Maintenance of traffic
- Value engineering
- Public outreach
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