抄録
A new method for optimizing the cathodic protection of a ship in operation is proposed. First, from electric potential data measured using several sensors located on the wall of the ship, the polarization curve of the painted ship wall is estimated by solving an inverse problem using the boundary element method. Then, using the polarization curve, the optimum current to be supplied to each electrode (several electrodes are located on the ship wall) is determined in such a way that the electric potential of every part of the ship wall becomes lower than a critical value using minimum the necessary electric power. In case when the electric potentials at the sensors change abruptly due to paint damage, the location of the damage is estimated from the potential change by solving another inverse problem, and then the cathodic protection is optimized. An example problem is solved to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.
