Durable corrosion protection: compressed power system (OSS)

Cathodic protection stops the corrosion process under water and in soil, for example for sheet piling and quays, but also for steel in concrete. Traditionally, the sacrificial system has been used for this purpose, in which base metal dissolves in nature so that the lower layer remains free of corrosion. However, this system is not sustainable, says Tenynke Hoekstra, business unit manager of Cathodic Protection at Van der Heide. "A lot of material is left behind in nature. We are talking about tons of metal and that is not necessary, because the impressed current system is a reliable, safe and sustainable alternative."

The principle is to lower the corrosion potential of a metal object. This can be done with a protective current or by using sacrificial anodes. In either case, the metal to be protected is made cathodic and is no longer susceptible to rust. Hoekstra: "This system has many advantages: the current is adjustable and protects under varying conditions, and few anodes are needed to realize large protection currents, which makes it cheaper. Also, the system has a long service life." 

Out of ignorance, many parties still choose the sacrificial system. Hoekstra: "We are now fully committed to the imprinted power system. So we are talking to the port companies of Rotterdam and Antwerp and also to other parties, such as municipalities. They have an exemplary role in this." The oppressed power system is readily deployable in construction, even in existing situations. "We apply OSS so that corroding stops and remotely monitor this whole process. That way we can intervene in time and save on materials and hours. But more importantly, we reduce our footprint with OSS."