Innovation

In order to understand what CP does, it is important to first understand how corrosion even happens. For corrosion to occur, there are three factors that need to be present. First, two dissimilar metals must be present. Secondly, an electrolyte must be present. An electrolyte is water with any form of salt or dissolved salt particles within it. Thirdly, there must be a conduction of the path of the dissimilar metals.

What CP does is it avoids the corrosion from taking place. It converts all the active or anode sites of the metal into a passive or cathode site via electronic currents from an alternate source of energy. Shell uses this to protect all their pipelines from corroding as Mr. Wallace states, "Everywhere that there is a pipeline running, there is Cathodic Protection." If corrosion were to happen, leakages and explosions would occur very frequently harming life.

Shell tweaked the CP innovation to protect the environment by using solar panels as sources of energy. This eliminates energy being used that is harmful to the environment and also saves Shell money from paying for non-natural sources of energy.

Inspiration

The history of this innovation does not begin with Shell Oil Company, yet it can be traced all the way back to 1824. In 1824, forms of CP were used in the shipping industry. Back then, it was discovered that the corrosion of copper sheathing could be prevented if it were connected to zinc, tin, or iron (more similar metals). From this an understanding of metal positioning on the electrochemical scale, an understanding of corroding action would become null.

Since the 1920s, forms of CP have been used to protect pipelines from corroding in many places including Shell. Back then, they would use zinc anodes to the pipelines in order to protect them.

Australia is noted for playing a key role in the development of the practical application of CP. In 1935, the first impressed current CP system was installed in Australia. As stated in the interview by Mr. Wallace, "To me, this is that innovation that has extended the life of pipelines."

However, with this, Shell has added to the CP process by sending electronic currents down to the pipelines, but in ways that are more beneficial to the environment by sending electronic currents through powered sources of solar panels. All in all, CP for Shell has been a solution that suits best for Shell's success, the success of the environment, and the success of its customers.

Overall impact

The arrangement for protecting pipelines is the overall goal of CP and the over impact is a pipe that safe for users, consumers, producers, and the surrounding environment.

CP has impacted the way pipelines can be serviced, stored, and monitored better than ever before. By extending a pipeline's life, the business saves time and money from replacing pipelines, the environment is healthier and less disturbed from limiting excessive digging, and accidents and hazards are less likely to exist from fewer explosions and spills. CP is however not a permanent solution to corrosion nor allows a pipeline to last forever, but the impact it has made so far is better than without it. Instead of changing pipelines every thirty years, almost triple its life.

Decades ago this process was thought of for ships and has revolutionized to be used for pipelines. What else it could be used for in the future is a promising thought. To be able to control the aging and deterioration of metals is something that is valuable forever for not only Shell but for the marine life, the consumers, and the resources themselves inside the pipelines. The constraints on CP are few and far between but the growth for later is endless. How it is used today has changed from its past. One day today will be the past and a new way of CP will be here.

Business benefit

Shell uses CP to protect their pipelines from corroding every day.

It is widely used across the organization to protect whatever is running within the pipelines. This innovation allows all chemicals to be transported back to Shell safely for distribution without corroding or mishaps. The spills, leakages, and explosions are minimal to where no expenses are lost on clean up or loss of resources.

It also extends the life of every pipeline, which prevents Shell from having to dig up the earth more than necessary to replace pipelines. The costs to replace and dig up pipes can costs Shells thousands upon thousands of dollars. Mr. Wallace stated, "It has extended the life of our pipelines from thirty to eighty years."

Creative thinking has been and is continually being used by Shell through is innovation. CP was first used in the shipping industry for the protection of ships' hull, yet Shell came and still comes up with ways to use this from rusting their pipelines and tanks. Engineers and specialist have worked to perfect this for years and are continually doing so. There will always be parts of Shell's business that needs to be protected daily through CP, yet ways to strengthen CP are still occurring and growing.

Social and environmental benefit

From our research and understanding of CP, we believe that this innovation meets four of the United Nations Sustainable Goals. They include affordable and clean energy, protecting life on the land, protecting life below the water, and being part of the industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

Through Shell, CP uses solar panels to keep their charge and source of electricity going. Through solar panels, the use of clean energy is present. No other source of electricity used for this current than that of the Sun. With pipelines being protected the way this innovation does it, it protects life on the land and below the water from leakages and hazardous materials that could be released from corroded pipelines. Without CP, corrosions would be frequent and the hazards and leakages would be more common than not. These leakages and explosions could alter or permanently damage all forms of life. CP also serves as a part of infrastructure because it prevents the company from having to tear pipelines up and replacing them more than necessary. Simply, pipelines are also part of Shell's main sources of business making it part of its infrastructure solely.

With further credit, we asked Mr. Wallace's opinion of these four goals of the United Nations Sustainable Goals, and he agreed that this innovation met all four. He was proud to know that such an innovation can not only help Shell with their business but also doing so while saving and helping the environment. Society gains from not only receiving the sources of Shell but in ways that benefitting and protected the resources for many years to come.

Interview

Virgil Wallace, Corrosion Specialist/Engineer