Design and implementation of an acquisition and data monitoring system (SHM) for a cathodic protection rectifier used in pipelines. Diseño e implementación de un sistema de adquisición y monitoreo de datos (SHM) para un rectificador de protección catódica usado en ductos.

Abstract

Background: Cathodic protection by impressed current is one of the methods to prevent corrosion of pipes or tanks, preserving the structural state and integrity of the material. For a cathodic protection system to function properly there must to be a control over the electrical variables involved in the process, which is why it is necessary to monitor variables such as (voltage, current and potential protection). Objective: to develop a system of data acquisition and monitoring in real time, in order to increase accessibility to electrical variables and thus improve the operation of the cathodic protection system. Methods: The monitoring and information analysis system is based on the concept of SHM (Structural Health Monitoring), which consists of an electronic system for remote acquisition and sending of signals (micro controller and GSM communications system) and a system for visualization and analysis of information in a mobile system (cell) using a web server for it. Given that the condition of structural integrity of the pipeline is determined by the correct operation of the rectifier. Results: It was possible to implement a monitoring and remote viewing system of the main variables of a cathodic protection system. An algorithm based on the concept of SHM was developed, allowing to correlate, generate trend and establish performance criteria for the cathodic protection system which allows to establish whether the system is ensuring the structural integrity of the crude transportation pipeline. Conclusion: the novelty of this work is to show the realtime behavior of the variables needed to analyze whether the pipeline is being properly protected and generate alarms and reports regarding cathodic protection, which is based on the concept of SHM (Structural Health Monitoring).