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The electrical resistance technique is one of the most widely used methods for measuring material loss occurring in the interior of plant and pipelines. This technique operates by measuring the change in electrical resistance of a metallic element immersed in a product media relative to a reference element sealed within the probe body. Since temperature changes effect the resistance of both the exposed and protected element equally, measuring the resistance ratio minimizes the influence of changes in the ambient temperature. Therefore, any net change in the resistance ratio is solely attributable to metal loss from the exposed element once temperature equilibrium is established.
If the corrosion occurring in the vessel under study is roughly uniform, a change in resistance is proportional to an increment of corrosion. Although universally applicable, the ER method is uniquely suited to corrosive environments having either poor or non-continuous electrolytes such as vapors, gases, soils, "wet" hydro-carbons, and non aqueous liquids.
An ER monitoring system consists of an instrument connected to a probe. The instrument may be permanently installed to provide continuous information, or may be portable to gather periodic data from a number of locations. The probe is equipped with a sensing element having a composition similar to that of the process equipment of interest. The sensing element itself can be manufactured in one of many geometries:
Wire loop elements are the most common elements available. This type of element has high sensitivity and low susceptibility to system noise, making it a good choice for most monitoring installations. Wire loops are generally glass-sealed into an end cap which is then welded to the probe body.
Tube loop elements are recommended where high sensitivity is required to rapidly detect low corrosion rates. Tube loop elements are manufactured from a small bore, hollow tube formed into the above loop configuration. Carbon Steel is the alloy most commonly used.
Strip loop elements are similar to the wire and tube loop configurations. The strip loop is a flat element formed in a loop geometry. The strip loop may be glass or epoxy sealed into the end cap depending on the required application. The strip loop is a very sensitive element. Strip loops are very fragile and should only be considered for very low flow applications.
Cylindrical elements are made by welding a hollow tube inside of another hollow tube. The element has an all welded construction which is then welded to the probe body. Because of this element's all welded construction, exotic alloy elements can be produced relatively easily. This probe is ideally suited to harsh environments including high velocity and high temperature systems, or anywhere a glass-sealed element is not an option.
Spiral loop elements consist of a thin strip of metal formed on an inert base. The element is particularly rugged and ideal for high-flow regimens. Its comparatively high resistance produces a high signal-to-noise ratio, which makes the element very sensitive.
Flush mount elements are designed to be mounted flush with the vessel wall. This element is very effective at simulating the true corrosion condition along the interior surfaces of the vessel wall. Being flush, this element is not prone to damage in high velocity systems and can be used in pipeline systems that are subject to pigging operations.
Surface strip elements are thin rectangular elements with a comparatively large surface area to allow more representative results in non-homogeneous corrosive environments. Strip elements are commonly used in underground probes to monitor the effectiveness of cathodic protection currents applied to the external surfaces of buried structures.
