Modeling Effects of Stochastic Stray Currents from D.C. Traction on Corrosion Hazard of Buried Pipelines

Abstract

The main problems discussed in the article concern the analysis of the phenomenon of stray currents generated by electric D.C. traction currents. These currents flow in the ground and, when they encounter an underground metal structure, can lead to the acceleration of electrochemical corrosion. There is a stochastic phenomenon that depends on many factors such as the position of the traction vehicle along the route or the current drawn by it from the traction network. The presented research concerns the use of probabilistic methods to analyze this phenomenon. The proposed algorithm allows determining the occurrence of electrochemical-pipeline corrosion risk for geometrically complex traction-pipeline systems, including many random variables and corrosion phenomena. The non-deterministic solution to such an interdisciplinary problem is an element of novelty.