Cathode/Anode Area Ratio on the Sacrificial Cathodic Protection Against Mass Loss of Galvanized Steel Used in Potassium Chloride Fertigation

Corrosion is one of the most significant problems in irrigation systems, and fertigation may increase its damage. One of the solutions to mitigate this phenomenon would be using cathodic protection combined with piping coating, so it is essential to evaluate the type of sacrificial anodes and the cathode/anode area ratio, variables that change the performance of cathodic protection and its application cost. Thus, this study aimed to validate the effect of Al anodes on the protection against the mass loss of galvanized steel used in fertigation with white KCl solution at 10 g L⁻¹ and verify the influence of the cathode/anode area ratio on the galvanized steel protection and anode consumption. Thus, we conducted immersion tests by simulating 10 years of fertigation to determine the mass loss of the galvanized steel and Al anodes. The results showed that Al anodes significantly reduce the mass loss in galvanized steel exposed to KCl solution, but there is no significant difference in its mass loss with the increase in the cathode/anode area ratio. Regarding the Al anodes, there was also no significant difference in mass loss with the increase in the cathode/anode area ratio.