A DynamicStrayCurrent 2023 P8

Appalachian Dynamic Stray Current
Underground Presenter: Thomas Holzerman,

General Supervisor, Corrosion
Corrosion Short Engineering
Course - 2023 Philadelphia Gas Works

Types of Stray Current
Static – Covered in Intermediate Course
Steady source of current
AC – Covered in separate class in this course
Dynamic Stray Current

Dynamic Stray Currents
• Dynamic stray currents are caused by
variable loads
• DC transit systems
• Chemical/smelter plants
• Welding operations
• Telluric stray currents are caused by solar
activity
The Earth As A Conductor
• Planet Earth is a huge, non-uniform
conductor
• Resistivity is the inverse of soil
conductivity, which is the measure of how
conductive the electrolyte (earth/water) is
in a given area
• Uniform electrolytic resistivity only exists in
the middle of the ocean
What’s More Conductive?
Resistivity Values
Some values
• Solid rock - >1,000,000 ohm-cm
• Sand – 5,000-100,000 ohm-cm
• Loam – 5,000-15,000 ohm-cm
• Wet Clays – 100-4,000 ohm-cm
• Seawater – <200 ohm-cm
• Iron – 0.000022 ohm-cm
• Copper – 0.000007 ohm-cm
Why Resistivity Matters
• DC transit systems have MASSIVE loads
required to power trolleys, trains, etc.
• Discontinuities in power system are
overcome with underground metallics
completing circuit
• Even if continuous, the voltage loads are
so great that gradient fields can induce
voltages on underground metallics
Why Resistivity Matters
• Electricity wants path of least resistance.
• Will stray currents in ground conduct on:
• A vein of low resistivity soil (100 ohm-cm)
OR
• A bare steel pipe (0.000022 ohm-cm)
• Additionally – pipe in lower resistivity soil
will be more at risk than pipe in higher
resistivity soil
Stray Current – Visualized
Stray Current – Visualized
Gradients
In Either Scenario…
Where current enters the pipe – potentials
become more negative (appear protected).
Not an area of concern. (although if you
see pickup, there’s discharge somewhere
else!)
Where current discharges from the pipe –
potentials become more positive. This is
where corrosion occurs!
Investigating Stray Current
• All pipe-to-soil variations should be
investigated
• Especially if the voltage variation is
predominantly indicates discharge
• Generally – if the P/S reading does not
become more positive than -0.85 Vcse
polarized or the electropositive shift is <10
mV, then a corrosive condition does not
likely exist
Initial Detection of Stray Current
Initial Detection of Stray Current
• Rapid fluctuations present in real time
• “Big picture” often unable to be taken in
short-term recordings with voltmeters and
visual observation
• Voltage recorders over 24-168-hour periods
more reliable
• NOTE: telluric currents may not be
noticeable with short-term readings at all
How to Find the Source
• After noticing fluctuations, the next step is
to figure out where they’re coming from
• Observation – are there any tracks or
overhead power cables nearby?
• Local corrosion committees – other
utilities/consultants with historical
documentation of local
transit/mining/chemical ops
• Transit authority might also sit on committee
Measuring Stray Current
Use of calibrated
pipe spans to
measure current
magnitude and
direction
Measures current
on pipe, not
relationship w/
source
• Correlations
• Measurement of relationship between source
of interference/structure voltage and
structure-to-earth potential plotted on x-y
graph
• Source/structure voltage – Esc
• ESC polarity – (+) on source, (-) on pipe
• For complete picture, Esc is compared to P/S
measurements at multiple locations along
pipeline/interfered-with structure
Tools
• Voltage measurements
• X-Y Plotter (for the oldheads)
• Dual channel voltage recorder
• Sychronizable single channel voltage
recorders
• Reference electrode
• Wire reels
Correlations – Beta
What the Beta Means
Negative beta – Positive beta –
pickup discharge
What the Beta Means
• Vertical slope (β = 0) – no influence from
stray current
• RARE – double-check equipment and re-run
test for repeatability
• No beta/no correlation – you’ve got the
wrong source, bubba. Try again.
Beta Analysis
• Correlations must be measured at multiple
locations on pipeline to determine areas of
pickup and discharge
• Location with largest (shallowest) positive
beta – area of greatest potential discharge
Mitigation – Controlling the Source
Embedded Track Ensuring Rail Continuity

Mitigation – Galvanic Anodes
• For small magnitude stray current
mitigation, galvanic anodes can be used
• Onshore – magnesium
• Rare for dynamic stray current because of the
magnitude of voltage gradients/current
produced
• Generally reserved for static stray current
mitigation
Mitigation - Bonds
• Solid bonds
• Reverse current switches
• Resistance bonds
• Potential controlled force drain rectifiers
• Goal: return current safely back to its
source
• Metallic path in the corrosion circuit
Calculations
• GOAL: Reduce variation in Vg at point of
greatest discharge to negligible levels
• Stray current elimination is impossible without
shutting down the source, especially with
magnitudes as great as produced by DC
transit systems
• Accomplished through draining current
back to source
Mitigation – Resistive Bond
• Testing to solve for Rb
• ASSUMPTIONS:
• Test setup is at maximum discharge point
• Temporary bond has zero resistance
• Zero leakage discharge from bond to soil
• Current values are all positive (flow from
structure back to source)
Determine internal resistance of stray current
circuit:
Repeat this at pickup spot
A Note About AC
While it will be covered in another class in
this course, it is important to account for AC
for safety reasons. Always take an AC
voltage measurement to your reference
electrode. Voltages-to-earth in excess of 15
VAC are dangerous for both step and touch
potentials. Always measure before you start
work!
The Effects of Stray Current
• Dynamic stray current can have disastrous
effects on pipelines if left ignored
• Impressed current densities can reach
hundreds of amperes causing accelerated
metal loss
• Graphitization – leaching of iron from steel,
cast iron, and ductile iron structures,
leaving behind only the carbon from within
the matrix
Special Thanks
• Kevin Groll
• Ed Richey
• James Jameison
• Lake Barrett
• SEPTA
• Philadelphia Gas Works
QUESTIONS?

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Appalachian Dynamic Stray Current

Underground Presenter: Thomas Holzerman,

Course - 2023 Philadelphia Gas Works

AC – Covered in separate class in this course

Dynamic Stray Current

Embedded Track Ensuring Rail Continuity

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