Tailor-made solutions to prevent pipe corrosion
Elisa: remote monitoring for cathodic protection by Korf KB
Korf KB is specialized in preventing corrosion on underground metal pipes through cathodic protection (CP). This Urk company works exclusively on a tailor-made basis and uses various technologies and disciplines to realize safe, high-quality solutions. Together with Technolution Spark, Korf KB is developing the Elisa system, which will allow users to remotely monitor the degree of protection that their CP offers. Clients such as Gasunie, Enexis and Stedin and large companies in the Botlek area are already using Korf KB solutions.
Cathodic protection
Oxidation is a constant threat for underground metal pipes. It is caused by electrochemical reactions that produce an electrical current through the metal. Cathodic protection stops this current by lowering the potential of the pipes using rectifiers. This is an effective way to prevent oxidation, but changing circumstances such as humidity, temperature, induction current from other sources etc. are likely to affect the potential over time. Constant monitoring is therefore necessary. Owners of steel pipes have a legal obligation to apply cathodic protection to ensure the integrity and safety of their pipes.
Constant remote monitoring
Most of the monitoring of cathodic protection systems currently takes the form of on-site measurements performed by staff. This is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. The Elisa system makes such on-site checks redundant. Elisa is connected to on-site rectifiers and measuring poles and it transmits the status of the CP system to the user’s back office four times a day.
Klaas Korf, CEO of Korf KB, on Elisa: “We want to supply our clients with the best systems for cathodic protection. Elisa is part of that. Constant remote monitoring is good for our clients, because it saves time and money.”
“We want to supply our clients with the best systems for cathodic protection. Elisa is part of that. Constant remote monitoring is good for our clients, because it saves time and money.”
Exchange of knowledge and experience
Korf KB and Technolution Spark intensively exchanged knowledge and experience in order to make Elisa. Korf KB is contributing the technology for cathodic protection; Technolution Spark is developing the hard- and software required and is providing a reliable data chain and communication with the back office.
Klaas Korf: “Technolution brings a lot of knowledge and skill to the table, but they are very accessible too. We’re really on the same page there. They don’t make a fuss, but just have an open attitude and direct, flexible communication, so that we’re always clear where everyone stands. Precisely as we do ourselves. The feedback we’re getting from our clients is that they are very satisfied with Technolution’s solution.”
Further developing
Klaas Korf says Korf KB and Technolution Spark will continue to work in the future on further developing Elisa. “My plan is to have our own rectifier developed, and maybe also our own AC/DC drainage, so that we can offer a complete system of protection and monitoring.”
