Sensor array for electrochemical corrosion monitoring
AssigneeSouthwest Research Institute
InventorsLietai Yang, Narasi Sridhar
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Abstract
A sensor array for measuring localized corrosion based on electrochemical reactions is disclosed. The sensor has an array of electrodes that are made from the material of interest. The electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and arranged so that a small area of the electrode contacts a corrosive environment. The voltage outputs across the electrodes connected to the electrodes are measured and used as the signals to indicate localized corrosion.
Claims23
An electrochemical corrosion sensor that provides multiple channels of output signals to a multi-channel voltmeter, comprising:
- an array of metallic electrodes arranged such that each electrode has a surface area exposed to an electrolyte at the site of the corrosion and such that each electrode is electrically insulated from other electrodes;
- a common electrical lead connecting each electrode through a resistor;
- and
- an electrical measurement device that measures the voltage drop across each of the resistors.
A method of monitoring corrosion of a material of interest, comprising the steps of:
- placing an array of electrodes in a corrosive electrolyte, the electrodes being made from the material of interest, each electrode having a surface area exposed to the material of interest and being electrically insulated from all other electrodes;
- connecting each electrode to a common electrical potential;
- connecting each electrode to a channel of a multi-channel voltmeter across a resistor associated with each electrode;
- measuring the voltage at each channel;
- and
- calculating a corrosion value based on the results of the measuring step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.