October 26, 2011

Ethanol Corrosion Studies

Filed under: cathodic protection — Tags: , , , — admin @ 7:53 pm

The National Institute of Standards and Technology recently conducted a study that discovered that ethanol contained bacteria that were harmful to pipelines. The NIST found that these certain bacteria caused corrosion in pipelines.

The use of ethanol has grown tremendously popular in recent years. The biofuel has been and is commonly added to fuel for its high octane property. There are even some machines that can run completely on the biofuel. Apparently, the NIST performed tests on a commonly used pipeline material, steel, and exposed ethanol to it. These tests were the result of recent proposals to transport ethanol through existing gas pipelines and other types of framework. The study found that the certain bacteria in the biofuel did indeed corrode and crack the steel.

The researchers identified the harmful bacteria as Acebacter aceti. Acebacter aceti is rich in alcoholic conditions. This bacteria is used in the fermentation industry. However, Acebacter aceti that is created from ethanol can cause pipelines to crack by an increased 25 times.

The studies involved submerging different Tow pipeline steels in various ethanol concoctions. The tests resulted in cracks in the steel and this was said to be directly related to corrosion. Researchers also declared that further investigation was necessary before transporting ethanol into existing pipelines because, at this time, ethanol could pose serious damage.

October 18, 2011

TurnBull Bridge in Florida Closes

Filed under: CP Remote Monitoring,CP Test Stations,cathodic protection — Tags: , , — admin @ 9:54 pm

The forty-four year old Turnbull Bridge in New Smyrna Beach, Florida has been shut down after county inspectors found what they called “severe corrosion” on the support beams. County officials began maintenance on the bridge immediately and are calling it a ten month long project.

A large section of concrete beam was found deteriorating, as other parts of the beam had fallen into the water. The deterioration has been said to have been caused by water that had been splashed onto the beams. Inspectors believe the water entered the concrete through the microscopic cracks thus corroding the interior steel cables. The cables then must have expanded causing further cracking and deteriorating of the concrete.

In 2010, the bridge was labeled “structurally deficient” when the corrosion was first observed. That led to biennial, rather than annual, inspections of the bridge. Residents began raising funds for the restoration of the bridge, until the bridge recently closed after further investigation.

The bridge was expected to close in 2013 due to the corrosion; however, construction is now expected to begin in the fall of 2012. The total cost of the bridge’s construction is estimated to be approximately $4 million. Other costs will be felt by local business owners and residents who will be affected by the closing of the bridge.

More bridges are also facing problems of corrosion across the country.

October 13, 2011

U.S.S. Independence Deals With Corrosion

Filed under: CP Remote Monitoring,CP Test Stations,cathodic protection — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 12:18 am

U.S. Navy littoral combat ship, the U.S.S. Independence, will have to have its corroded hull repaired in San Diego, California. The U.S.S. Independence was manufactured at Austal USA’s Mobile River shipyard.  Approximately 18 months after the ship set sail, the corrosion began to develop. The U.S. Navy apparently had very high expectations for the vessel.

The U.S.S. Independence is the second littoral combat ship developed for the U.S. Navy. The first littoral combat ship is known as the U.S.S. Freedom. The U.S.S. Independence was constructed mainly of aluminum. The design and the aluminum were said to be the reason for the active development of the corrosion.

However, president and chief operating officer of Austal, Joe Rella, gave in response that the corrosion was very surprising for the company. Rella discussed the high level of measures Austal takes in regards to anti-corrosion.

According to MarineLog.com, Rella stated, “The Navy and Austal team have a solid understanding of corrosion mitigating measures.” He also went on to say that the corrosion issue is even more surprising due to the fact that company officials talk regularly with the U.S. Navy officials.

The Independence is scheduled for an upcoming application of a protection system. Meanwhile, Austal is still contracted to develop 10 more littoral combat ships for the U.S Navy.

Such vessels need to be equiped with a better corrosion monitoring system to both protect and give the vessel stronger support.

October 5, 2011

Welcome Comanche® Remote Monitoring and Control System

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — admin @ 10:48 pm

Introducing the COMANCHE® remote monitoring and control system. Borin’s technology enables both analog and digital monitoring  and control. Analog monitoring provides remote values of anything imaginable including voltage, amperage, temperatures, pressure, and fluid levels. Digital monitoring enables monitoring of remote states such as on or off lights or activated or deactivated alarms. The COMANCHE® analog control allows management of remote values of voltage on any device, temperatures in buildings, fluid levels, and much more. Borin’s  advanced technology also enables controlling of remote states such as turning lights on or off, starting and stopping pumps, activating and deactivating alarms, and more.

All monitoring, control, and reporting is automatic with the COMANCHE®, and it is capable of having unlimited remote sites. This remote monitoring and control system can work with various forms of communication as well, including internet and telephone. The COMANCHE® also includes its own alarm and warning management system that provides 8 priority levels, overiding capabilities, unlimited communications, and permanent record logging. Most importantly, the COMANCHE® includes a data integrity management system that provides data protocol. This data protocol system ensures accurate and precise transmissions of sent and received controls and readings. Essentially, this system will allow you to control and monitor any remote device with the highest level of security, reporting, and dependability.