ICorr India Updates

Following its successful launch and AGM of 28th January 2025, the ICorr India Branch recently hosted two insightful webinars focusing on advancements in corrosion protection technologies. These sessions featured renowned experts who delved into the historical foundations, modern techniques, and future directions of cathodic protection (CP) and digital twin implementation for offshore structures.

Technical Webinar: “200 Years of CP and OPC” Hosted on Tuesday 2^8th January 2025

Speaker: Professor Paul Lambert, BSc (Hons), PhD, CEng, CSci, FICorr, FIMMM, AMPP Corrosion Specialist

Professor Paul Lambert has over 40 years of experience in the investigation of structural durability and degradation and in the development of novel remedial techniques for civil and building structures, most recently as Head of Materials and Corrosion at Mott MacDonald. He became one of the three inaugural Mott MacDonald Fellows in 2023. Paul is Visiting Professor at the Centre for Infrastructure Management at Sheffield Hallam University where he carries out research into novel materials and repair technologies.

Professor Paul Lambert delivered an engaging and comprehensive presentation that traced the evolution of cathodic protection (CP) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) over the past two centuries. His talk contextualised these developments within historical frameworks while addressing their contemporary applications and future potential.

Historical Context and Technological Evolution

Professor Lambert began by providing a historical overview, referencing key milestones that have shaped the development of CP and OPC:

1. 1824 – The Birth of Portland Cement: Joseph Aspdin, a bricklayer from Leeds, patented Portland cement. This formulation revolutionised construction and remains a cornerstone of modern infrastructure.
2. Early Understanding of Corrosion: Humphry Davy’s 1824 paper on corrosion prevention laid the foundation for cathodic protection. Initially focused on preventing the corrosion of copper sheeting on naval vessels, Davy’s work marked the beginning of electrochemical approaches to corrosion control.
3. Advancements in Anode Technology: The presentation highlighted the shift from early sacrificial anodes made of pig iron to modern materials such as magnesium and aluminium, which provide superior protection.

Practical Applications of CP in Modern Infrastructure

Professor Lambert discussed various real-world applications of CP, emphasising its importance in preserving infrastructure:

1. 
Marine Structures: CP has been instrumental in protecting submerged structures such as oil rigs, ships, and pipelines from corrosion.
2. 
Reinforced Concrete: CP is widely used in reinforced concrete structures to mitigate the effects of chloride-induced corrosion.
3. 
Historic Preservation: Techniques such as discrete anodes have been successfully applied to protect steel frames within historic buildings without compromising their aesthetic integrity.

Challenges and Future Directions

The session also addressed ongoing challenges and future developments in CP technology:

1. 
Hybrid Systems: Combining galvanic and impressed current systems offers enhanced protection and greater flexibility in diverse environments.
2. 
Regulatory Standards: Adherence to international standards (e.g., ISO codes) ensures consistency, quality, and reliability in CP system design and implementation.
3. 
Sustainability: Efforts are underway to mitigate the environmental impact of OPC production and to develop more sustainable materials and methods.

Webinar 2: “Implementation of a Digital Twin for an Offshore Structure” Hosted on 25th February 2025

Speaker: Eng. Esteban Amirante, CM BEASY Ltd.

He earned degrees in mechanical engineering and a master’s in business administration, enabling a successful career in developing new businesses. As International Business Development Manager at CM BEASY LTD, he has led global expansion of the UK firm’s industry-leading offerings and solutions. and spearheads the development of new products tailored to customer priorities. His leadership on defence projects worldwide showcases BEASY’s British technology innovation, working in many programmes.

In the second webinar, Engineer Esteban Amirante presented on the cutting-edge implementation of digital twins for offshore structure corrosion management. His presentation emphasised the transformative potential of digital twins in optimising cathodic protection (CP) system performance and asset integrity.

Understanding Digital Twin Technology


A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical asset that integrates real-time data and simulation models to monitor, predict, and optimise performance. This technology is particularly valuable in managing complex systems like offshore structures where corrosion poses 
significant risks.

1. 
Data Integration: Digital twins combine inspection data with simulation models to create a comprehensive and dynamic representation of an asset’s CP system.
2. 
Accurate Modeling: BEASY’s proprietary boundary element solver provides precise electrochemical simulations that enhance the accuracy of digital twins.
3. 
Predictive Capabilities: By analysing real-time and historical data, digital twins enable predictive maintenance, allowing operators to anticipate and mitigate corrosion-related failures.

Implementation Process


Engineer Amirante outlined the step-by-step process of creating and utilising a digital twin for offshore structures:

1. 
3D Digitalization: The process begins with converting the physical structure into a detailed CAD model, including survey points and visual inspection data.
2. 
Calibration with Survey Data: Real-world measurements are used to calibrate the digital model, ensuring accurate representation of the CP system’s current state.
3. 
Simulation and Prediction: The calibrated model is used to simulate future performance and identify potential failures before 
they occur.
4. 
Identifying Discrepancies: Digital twins can detect inconsistencies between expected and actual performance, allowing targeted maintenance and resource allocation.

Benefits and Industrial Impact


The implementation of digital twins offers numerous advantages for offshore asset management:

1. 
Enhanced Accuracy: Combining real-time data with simulation models provides a more accurate assessment of CP system health.
2. 
Cost Efficiency: By predicting maintenance needs in advance, digital twins reduce operational disruptions and associated costs.
3. 
Decision Support: Digital twins facilitate informed decision-making by providing clear visualisations and data-driven insights.
4. 
Scalability: The technology is adaptable to various offshore structures, including pipelines, FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units), and subsea facilities.

Future Outlook


Engineer Amirante concluded by discussing the future potential of digital twins:

1. 
AI Integration: Incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning will enhance predictive accuracy and automation capabilities.
2. 
Broader Adoption: As digital twins become more cost-effective, their adoption will likely expand across industries beyond offshore oil and gas.
3. 
Standardisation: Developing standardised protocols for digital twin implementation will facilitate broader industry acceptance and interoperability.

 

Photo: A Slide from Professor Paul Lambert’s Presentation.

 

Photo: A Slide from Professor Paul Lambert’s Presentation.

 

Photo: Esteban Amirante.

 

Photo: 
(Right and Above). 
A Few Slides 
from Eng. Esteban Amirante’s 
Presentations.