Impressed current cathodic protection systems

Abstract

An example protective structure for use in an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to protect a substrate from corrosion includes: a covering anode layer configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system and configured to be interconnected with an electron source configured to provide electrons to the substrate; and a protective layer configured to space the covering anode layer from the substrate; wherein the structure is permeable to an electrolyte to complete the electrochemical cell of the ICCP system.

Description

P13514PC00IMPRESSED CURRENT CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS FIELD

[0001] The specification relates generally to corrosion protection systems, and more particularly to impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cathodic protection (CP) systems protect mostly steel structures such as ships, pipes, and the like, from corrosion by providing electrons to the substrate through sacrificial anodes, or permanent anodes and electron provider devices, using impressed current cathodic protection systems.SUMMARY

[0003] According to an aspect of the present specification, an example impressed current cathodic protection system includes: a substrate to be protected from corrosion; a covering anode sleeve configured to be removably applied to the substrate to surround the substrate, the covering anode sleeve configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system; a protective layer configured to space the covering anode sleeve from the substrate to be protected from corrosion; and an electron source configured to provide electrons to the substrate to be protected via ICCP.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present specification an example protective structure for use in an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to protect a substrate from corrosion includes: a covering anode layer configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system and configured to be interconnected with an electron source configured to provideP13514PC00electrons to the substrate; and a protective layer configured to space the covering anode layer from the substrate; wherein the structure is permeable to an electrolyte to electrically connect the substrate and the covering anode layer to complete the electrochemical cell of the ICCP system.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present specification, an example impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system includes: a substrate to be protected from corrosion; a protective structure configured to be removably applied to the substrate to surround the substrate, the protective structure comprising: a covering anode layer configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system; a protective layer configured to space the covering anode layer from the substrate to be protected from corrosion; wherein the sleeve is permeable to an electrolyte to electrically connect the substrate and the covering anode layer; and an electron source configured to provide electrons to the substrate to be protected via ICCP.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Implementations are described with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an example corrosion protection system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of an example protective structure in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict schematic diagrams of example configurations of a protective structure in accordance with the present disclosure.P13514PC00

[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of an example configuration of another protective structure in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Impressed current cathodic protection systems operate by providing an anode which is spaced from the substrate to be protected and a current or electron source. Electrolytes in the surrounding environment of the ICCP system allow the anode and the substrate to be electrically connected, thereby forming an electrochemical cell, allowing current to flow from the positive terminal of the electron source to the anode, the electrolyte, and the substrate, and returning to the negative terminal of the electron source. That is, the flow of electrons from the electron source, to the substrate protects the substrate from corrosion.

[0012] In some examples, the anode can be provided distal from the substrate, for example as blocks of a suitable electrode material. However, such anodes create an additional component to maintain, in addition to the substrate. Further, the distance between the anode and the substrate may allow for inconsistencies in the electrolytic connection between the substrate and the anode and additional secondary paths by which to lose electrons, thereby creating potential defects in the protection afforded by such systems. In these conventional methods, the electron flow to the exposed areas of the substrate may not be uniform, which may cause over-protection in some areas and under-protection in other areas. These conventional methods may be vulnerable against stray currents and hydrogen damage. Also the design procedure for such methods are extensively complicated and difficult, which can cause human errors.P13514PC00

[0013] In other examples, the anode may itself be a painted layer or coating on the substrate, for example separated from the substrate by an electrically insulating coating. These coatings may themselves provide some protection to the substrate, simply by preventing access to the substrate by an electrolyte which may potentially cause corrosion. However, these coatings require the substrate to be cleaned and prepared for proper adhesion. The cleaning and preparation processes and further, the maintenance and replacement of the coatings may be cumbersome and expensive, since the substrate may often be in locations which are difficult to access.

[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for corrosion protection in accordance with the present disclosure. The system 100 includes a protective structure 104 configured to surround or encase the substrate 108 to be protected. In particular, the system 100 is an impressed current cathodic protection system configured to protect the substrate 108, which may be a metallic or steel object prone to corrosion. For example, the substrate 108 may be a pipe configured for fluid transfer, the body of a vehicle, such as a ship or car, or the like.

[0015] The system 100 provides for impressed current cathodic protection using the protective structure 104 to reduce the distance between anode and the substrate 108, while additionally avoiding the need for lengthy preparation processes. Specifically, at least one layer of the protective structure 104 is configured to be applied to the substrate 108 in a removable way, and in particular, such that removal of the layer of the protective structure 104 is non-destructive to the substrate 108. That is, the protective structure 104 may be applied to the substrate 108, for example in a non-adhesive manner, by sliding the protective structure 104 onto the substrate 108 to surround the substrate, fastening portions of the protective structure 104 to itself to enclose or encase the substrate 108,P13514PC00or the like. In other words, the protective structure 104 is applied to the substrate 108 to encase or surround the substrate 108 with the at least one layer not being permanently and / or irreversibly affixed to the substrate 108, such as by painting or coating the substrate 108.

[0016] To enable the ICCP aspect of the system 100, the protective structure 104 includes a covering anode layer 112 and a protective non-conductive spacing layer 116. The system 100 further includes an electron source 120.

[0017] The covering anode layer 112 is configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system and accordingly may be formed of a suitable electrically conductive material, such as a graphene fabric, a carbon fiber fabric, or the like. In particular, at least the covering anode layer 112 is configured to be removably applied to the substrate 108, in a non-adhesive manner.

[0018] The protective non-conductive spacing layer 116 is configured to space the covering anode layer 112 from the substrate 108, and particularly, is substantially electrically isolating, in that it is non-conductive and does not allow passage of current through the material of the layer 116 itself. Accordingly, the protective layer 116 may have some thickness (e.g., 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, etc.) to space the covering anode layer 112 from the substrate 108. The protective layer 116 may further function to protect the substrate from some types of mechanical damage, such as by sharp objects or the like, mechanical wear, thermal variability, and the like. For example, the protective layer 116 may be formed of Kevlar™ or some other suitable high strength fibers. In some examples, the protective layer 116 may further have thermal properties, such as being thermally insulating to reduce variability in temperature around the substrate 108, to further reduceP13514PC00wear of the substrate 108 due to expansion and contraction. In some examples, the protective layer 116 may include multiple sublayers, where each sublayer may provide a different aspect of protection to the substrate 108.

[0019] Preferably, the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 may each be formed of a flexible, pliable and / or conformable material to allow the protective structure 104 to be applied to substrates 108 of varying shapes and sizes, and in particular, to allow the protective structure 104 to substantially conform to the substrate 108. For example, each of the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 may be fabric materials or the like. In some examples, the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 may be adhered to one another substantially across an entire area of the protective structure 104, while in other examples, the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 may be adhered or fastened to one another at certain points, lines, seams, or the like. In still further examples, the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 may simply be provided adjacent one another, with the protective layer 116 spacing the covering anode layer 112 away from the substrate 108, without any specific association or adherence between the protective layer 116 and the covering anode layer 112. That is, in such examples, the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 may freely move relative to one another.

[0020] As described above, at least one layer, namely the covering anode layer 112, is configured to be removably applied to the substrate 108 and hence may also be defined as a covering anode sleeve. In some examples, the protective layer 116 may be permanently or irreversibly affixed (e.g., by painting or coating) to the substrate 108. Preferably, the protective structure 104, including both the protective layer 116 and theP13514PC00covering anode layer 112, may be configured to be removably applied to the substrate 108, and hence may be defined as a protective sleeve. In some examples, the protective structure 104 may include the protective layer sleeve (i.e., including the layers 112 and 116, configured to be removably applied to the substrate 108), as well as an additional protective layer, such as a coating or the like, applied permanently or irreversibly to the substrate 108.

[0021] The electron source 120 is configured to provide electrons to the substrate 108 to protect the substrate from corrosion. In particular, the substrate 108 is connected to the electron source 120 at the negative terminal, while the covering anode layer is connected to the electron source 120 at the positive terminal. Thus, the electron source 120 is configured to provide electrons to the substrate 108 to be protected via impressed current cathodic protection of the substrate 108.

[0022] In some examples, the protective structure 104, including both the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116, are impermeable to electrolytes. In particular, the protective layer 116 being impermeable to electrolytes may allow the protective structure 104 (or any impermeable layer of the protective structure 104) to function to protect the substrate 108 from the electrolyte, thereby protecting against corrosion by the electrolyte via simple mechanical isolation. In such examples, when the impermeable layers are damaged, the electrolyte can pass through the damaged region, thereby completing the electrochemical cell and activating the ICCP.

[0023] In some examples, the protective structure 104 may be permeable to an electrolyte to complete the electrochemical circuit between the substrate 108 and the covering anode layer 112. For example, the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 mayP13514PC00be formed of fabric materials which are substantially permeable to water or other fluids which may contain electrolytes configured to carry a charge between the substrate 108 and the covering anode layer 112. Thus, while the protective structure 104 may surround or encase the substrate 108 to protect the substrate 108 against some forms of mechanical damage, the protective structure 104 is additionally permeable to the electrolytes which may potentially corrode the substrate 108. However, the permeability of the protective structure 104 enables the ICCP of the substrate 108 to be activated by completing the electrochemical cell, and allowing current to flow from the positive terminal of the electron source 120 to the covering anode layer 112, through the electrolyte, the substrate 108, and returning to the negative terminal of the electron source 120. Accordingly, in examples where the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 form a single component (e.g., via adherence), the material for adhesion (e.g., the glue or the like) or for otherwise affixing the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 to one another to form a single component, may also be selected to be permeable to an electrolyte or otherwise electrically conductive to permit completion of the electrochemical cell through the entirety of the protective structure 104, for example to actively enable the ICCP of the system 100.

[0024] For example, referring to FIG. 2, an example permeable protective sleeve 204 having a covering anode layer 212 and a protective layer 216 is depicted.

[0025] In the present example, the covering anode layer 212 includes sensors, of which three sensors 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 are depicted (referred to herein generically as a sensor 200 and collectively as the sensors 200; this nomenclature may also be used elsewhere herein) embedded in the covering anode layer 212. The sensors 200 areP13514PC00configured to detect electrical current. The sensors 200 are spaced apart in the covering anode layer 112 and are interconnected with a controller 208 which is configured to detect an active current, and an amplitude of the active current at each of the sensors 200 (i.e., an electrochemical current draw). In operation, the respective strengths of signals (e.g., the electrochemical current draw signals) detected by each of the sensors 200 may allow the location of the activated ICCP to be identified. In particular, the sensors 200 may be useful when the system 100 is deployed to protect a substrate 108 which may be important for maintenance and monitoring of the substrate 108 and / or its environment.

[0026] Further, in the present example, the protective layer 216 includes two sublayers 220-1 and 220-2. For example, the first sublayer 220-1 may be configured to be disposed adjacent to the substrate 108 and may be configured for thermal insulation. The first sublayer 220-1 may be made of a fiberglass, foams, wool, or the like, including an encased insulating material, or the like. The second sublayer 220-2 may be configured to be disposed adjacent the first sublayer 220-1, opposite the substrate 108. The second sublayer 220-2 may be configured for mechanical protection, and may be formed of Kelvar™ or another suitable high-strength material. In particular, both sublayers 220 are configured to be electrically insulating to space the covering anode layer 212 apart from the substrate 108.

[0027] The covering anode layer 212 and the protective layer 216, including the two sublayers 220 may be attached to one another by stitching 224, forming a cross-hatched pattern. Thus, in the present example, the protective sleeve 204 may be substantially a single, integrated component (i.e., formed of its component parts, namely the covering anode layer 212 and the protective layer 216) to be applied to the substrate 108.P13514PC00

[0028] Further, each of the layers, that is, the covering anode layer 212 and the protective layer 216, including the two sublayers 220, are permeable to allow an electrolyte to permeate through the protective sleeve 204. For example, each of the layers / sublayers 212, 220 maybe formed of fabric materials which are permeable to water 228 and other fluids, carrying electrolytes therein. When the water 228 passes through each of the layers / sublayers 212, 220, the electrochemical cell may be completed, and hence the sensors 200 may detect an electrochemical current draw signal. In particular, the amplitude of the current draw detected by the sensor 200-2 may be higher than the respective amplitudes of the current draws detected by the sensors 200-1 and 200-3, thereby allowing the controller 208 to identify an activation location of the covering anode layer 212 (i.e., a location at which the water 228 was detected via activation of the ICCP system and the detection of current at the sensor 200).

[0029] In the present example, the protective sleeve 204 is depicted having three layers, namely the covering anode layer 212 and the two sublayers 220. In other examples, the protective structure 104 or 204, and particularly the protective layer 216 may include more or fewer layers. Further, in some examples, some of the sublayers of the protective layer 216 may be disposed at opposing sides of the covering anode layer 212. For example, the high-strength layer may be provided as an exterior layer of the protective sleeve 204 to further protect the covering anode layer 212 from some forms of mechanical wear, tearing, and the like. Further, in other example, the protective layer 216 may include another sublayer configured to be disposed adjacent the substrate 108, for example to limit sliding of the protective sleeve 204 relative to the substrate 108, for example via friction or the like, adhesion of the protective sleeve 204 to the substrate 108. ForP13514PC00example, the sublayer may be formed of rubber or another suitable polymer or other material which are generally adherent, without being permanently adhesive.

[0030] Turning now to FIG. 3A, an example configuration of the protective structure 104 is depicted. In particular, the protective structure 104 is configured integrally as a tube 300, having two open ends 304. The tube 300 may be configured to cover a length of pipe as the substrate 108 to be protected, or another tubular-shaped substrate. In such examples, the protective structure 104 may preferably be formed with the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116 being adhered or otherwise affixed to one another such that the protective structure 104 is substantially a single component.

[0031] Accordingly, the tube 300 may be applied to or installed on the substrate 108 by sliding the substrate 108 into one of the open ends 304, and sliding the tube 300 onto the length of the substrate 108. In some examples, the tube 300 may have a substantially equal or wider cross section or diameter than the substrate 108 to facilitate installation of the protective structure 104 on the substrate 108. The protective structure 104 may then be secured in place relative to the substrate 108 by non-permanent mechanical securing devices, such as via clamps, ties, hooks, and the like. That is, the tube 300 may be clamped transversely at various points along the length of the tubular substrate 108 to maintain the position of the tube 300 relative to the tubular substrate 108. In other examples, a tube 300 with a wider cross section than the substrate 108 may be slid on and then resized to match the substrate 108 via heat shrinking, stretch shrinking or other similar re

[0032] In some examples, the ends 304 may be clamped or sandwiched between flanges or similar connecting adjacent pipe portions of the like. In other examples, the ends 304P13514PC00of adjacent protective structures 104 may be affixed to one another to form a longer tube to match the corresponding length of the pipe or other tubular substrate 108.

[0033] In still further examples, the tube 300 may have a smaller cross section or diameter than the substrate 108, and may be stretched or expanded to accommodate the substrate 108. In particular, the expansion of the tube 300 may be enabled by a flexible and stretchable protective structure 104, according to the materials selected for the covering anode layer 112 and the protective layer 116. In such examples, the stretching of the protective structure 104 to accommodate the substrate 108 may serve to substantially secure the protective structure 104 in place relative to the substrate 108, and accordingly, clamping and the like may not be required. Methods such as heat shrinking, stretch shrinking, and the like may also be applied to maintain the position of the protective structure 104 relative to the substrate 108. In some examples, non-permanent mechanical securing devices for securing the protective structure 104 in place, such as clamping the ends 304 between flanges and the like, may additionally be applied to further maintain the position of the protective structure 104 relative to the substrate 108.

[0034] As will be appreciated, in other examples, while the protective structure 104 may be substantially tubular in shape, the protective structure 104 may be formed of flexible, pliable and / or conformable layers, and hence may be sufficiently malleable so as to be installed on non-tubular substrates 108, such as boxes and / or prisms having rectangular and / or irregular cross sections, or the like. In particular, the non-tubular substrate 108 may similarly be inserted into one of the open ends 304, and the tube 300 may be slid onto the non-tubular substrate 108 to be substantially encased or surrounded by the length of the tube 300. In other examples, the configuration of FIG. 3A may be applied toP13514PC00the protective sleeve 204 or other similar protective sleeves in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3B, another example configuration of the protective structure 104 is depicted. In particular, the protective structure 104 is configured substantially as a sheet 310 having a first set of opposing edges 314-1 and 314-2 defining a length of the sheet 310 and a second set of opposing edges 318-1 and 318-2 defining a width of the sheet 310.

[0036] In the present example, the sheet 310 is rolled along its length to define a structural configuration 320 (also referred to herein as the structure 320), which in the present example is a substantially tubular structure. In particular, one or both of the edges 314 may be affixed to one another or to a portion of the sheet 310 to define the structure 320. The edges 318 may define opposing open ends of the tubular structure 320. The tubular structure 320 may then be configured to cover a length of pipe as the substrate 108 to be protected, or another tubular-shaped substrate, in a similar manner as the tube 300. In other examples, the sheet 310 may be manipulated in another manner to define a different structural configuration 320 of the sheet 310 (e.g., a prismatic shape, a pyramidal shape, another irregular shape or the like). One portion of the sheet 310 may then be affixed to another portion of the sheet 310 to maintain the structural configuration 320 of the sheet 310.

[0037] In some examples, the sheet 310 may be rolled and / or folded to form the tubular structure 320, and the edges 314 may be affixed to one another or to a portion of the sheet 310 to maintain the tubular structure 320. For example, the edges 314 may be adhered to one another or to a portion of the sheet 310 using a permeable or conductiveP13514PC00adhesive, the edges 314 may be sewn or stitched together (e.g., when the protective structure 104 is formed of suitable fabric layers), or the like. The tubular structure 320 may be formed in advance of installing the protective structure 104 on the substrate 108, and may be slid or pulled onto the substrate 108 by inserting the substrate 108 into the tubular structure 320 at one of the open ends defined by one of the edges 318.

[0038] In other examples, the tubular structure 320 and / or other structural configuration 320 of the sheet 310 may be formed during installation of the protective structure 104 on the substrate 108. That is, the installation operation may include wrapping the sheet 310 around the substrate 108, and subsequently affixing the edges 314 to one another or to a portion of the sheet 310 to define the tubular structure 320, or affixing one portion of the sheet 310 to another portion of the sheet 310 to define another structural configuration 320 of the sheet 310.

[0039] In still further examples, the structure 320 may be formed around the substrate 108 without specifically affixing the edges 314 to maintain the structure 320. For example, the wrapped sheet 310 may be secured in place relative to the substrate 108 by nonpermanent mechanical securing devices, such as clamps, ties, hooks, and the like, transversely at various points along the length of the substrate 108. The mechanical securing may be configured both to maintain the position of the sheet 310 relative to the substrate 108, as well as to maintain the structure 320 and the wrapping of the sheet 310 around the substrate 108 in a tubular or other suitable configuration.

[0040] In other examples, the sheet 310 may be tightly wrapped and overlapped with itself to substantially maintain the structure 320 and the position of the protective structure 104 relative to the substrate 108.P13514PC00

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, another example configuration of the protective structure 104 is depicted. In particular, the protective structure 104 is configured as a strip 400. The strip 400 is wound serially around a length of the substrate 108 to cover the substrate 108. The strip 400 may additionally be secured in place by tight wrapping and allowing the overlapping portions of the strip 400 to secure itself in place.

[0042] The installation of the protective structure 104 via wrapping the sheet 310 or the strip 400 may allow more flexibility and adaptability in the application of the protective structure 104 to substrates 108 of differing and irregular sizes and shapes, thereby increasing the range of substrates 108 which may be protected. Further, such protection of irregularly shaped substrates 108 is not dependent on the precise application of defect-free coatings as well as suitable preparation (e.g., stripping, cleaning, etc.) of such irregular substrates 108, which may be difficult to achieve to ensure robust protection via painted applications or protective coatings.

[0043] Further, the wrapping operation may allow the installation of the protective structure 104 to occur in stages, with one or more of the layers or sublayers of the protective structure 104 to be discrete components which are installed independently and / or sequentially. That is, the installation operation may include first wrapping the protective layer 116 (and / or one or more of the sublayers of the protective layer 116) around the substrate 108, and affixing portions of the protective layer 116 to itself and / or securing the protective layer 116 to maintain its position relative to the substrate 108. In other examples, installation of the protective layer 116 may not need to occur, since a protective layer 116 may be provided as a coating on the substrate 108 itself. The installation operation may include subsequently wrapping the covering anode layer 112P13514PC00around the substrate 108, over the protective layer 116 to allow the protective layer 116 to space the anode layer 112 away from the substrate 108, and affixing portions of the covering anode layer 112 to itself and / or securing the covering anode layer 112 to maintain its position relative to the substrate 108.

[0044] Further, the present system using removable, and particularly, removable in a non¬ destructive manner by abstaining from substantially permanent adhesive solutions, allows for improved maintenance and application of an ICCP anode to a substrate to be protected. In particular, the ICCP anode is provided in the form of a removable protective sleeve including the covering anode layer, and a protective layer configured to space the covering anode layer apart from the substrate to be protected. Since the protective sleeve does not need to be adhered to the substrate, the substrate does not need to be stripped and cleaned, thereby improving the integrity of the substrate itself, as well as reducing preparation time. Further, the covering anode is maintained within close proximity to the substrate to be protected, thereby reducing electron loss along other external paths and improving the robustness of the ICCP system. Still further, the protective sleeve may be preferably formed of flexible and pliable fabric materials which are able to be applied to a wider variety of irregularly shaped and sized substrates while maintaining the same effective corrosion protection.

[0045] The presently described system can be retroactively applied to existing substrates while maintaining the simple preparation process, since the protective sleeve can include a non-conductive spacing layer, if the substrate does not have a coated non-conductive protective layer, or even if the substrate does have a coated non-conductive protectiveP13514PC00layer. The protective sleeve additionally includes the covering anode layer to complete the ICCP.

[0046] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the above examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

P13514PC00CLAIMS1. A protective structure for use in an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to protect a substrate from corrosion, the protective structure comprising:a covering anode layer configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system and configured to be interconnected with an electron source configured to provide electrons to the substrate; anda protective layer configured to space the covering anode layer from the substrate; andwherein the protective structure is permeable to an electrolyte to complete an electrochemical cell of the ICCP system.

2. The protective structure of claim 1, wherein the protective structure is configured to be a tube.

3. The protective structure of claim 1, wherein the protective structure is configured as a sheet to be wrapped around the substrate.

4. The protective structure of claim 3, wherein at least one portion of the sheet is affixed to another portion of the sheet to maintain a structural configuration of the sheet.

5. The protective structure of claim 1, wherein the protective layer and the covering anode layer comprise fabrics.P13514PC006. The protective structure of claim 1, wherein the protective structure is further configured to protect the substrate from one or more of mechanical damage, mechanical wear, and thermal variability.

7. The protective structure of claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises two or more sublayers.

8. The protective structure of claim 1, further comprising embedded sensors configured to be connected to a controller to detect an activation location.

9. An impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system comprising:a substrate to be protected from corrosion;a protective structure comprising:a covering anode layer configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system; a protective layer configured to space the covering anode layer from the substrate to be protected from corrosion;wherein at least one layer of the protective structure is configured to be removably applied to the substrate to surround the substrate; andwherein the protective structure is permeable to an electrolyte to electrically connect the substrate and the covering anode layer; andan electron source configured to provide electrons to the substrate to be protected via ICCP.P13514PC0010. The ICCP system of claim 9, wherein the protective structure is configured as a tube.

11. The ICCP system of claim 9, wherein the protective structure is configured as a sheet to be wrapped around the substrate.

12. The ICCP system of claim 11, wherein at least one portion of the sheet is affixed to another portion of the sheet to maintain a structural configuration of the sheet.

13. The ICCP system of claim 9, further comprising non-permanent mechanical securing devices configured to maintain a position of the protective structure relative to the substrate.

14. The ICCP system of claim 9, wherein the protective layer and the covering anode layer comprise fabrics.

15. The ICCP system of claim 9, wherein the protective layer is further configured to protect the substrate from one or more of mechanical damage, mechanical wear, and thermal variability.

16. The ICCP system of claim 9, wherein the protective layer comprises two or more sublayers.P13514PC0017. The ICCP system of claim 9, further comprising:one or more sensors embedded in the covering anode layer, the one or more sensors configured to detect electrical current; anda controller connected to the sensors to detect an activation location.

18. An impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system comprising:a substrate to be protected from corrosion;a covering anode sleeve configured to be removably applied to the substrate to surround the substrate, the covering anode sleeve configured to act as an anode in the ICCP system;a protective layer configured to space the covering anode sleeve from the substrate to be protected from corrosion; andan electron source configured to provide electrons to the substrate to be protected via ICCP.

19. The ICCP system of claim 18, wherein the protective layer comprises a protective layer sleeve configured to be removably applied to the substrate.

20. The ICCP system of claim 19, wherein the protective layer sleeve and the covering anode sleeve are integrated into a protective sleeve.

21. The ICCP system of claim 18, wherein the protective layer comprises a protective coating adhered to the substrate.

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