Corrosion probes are mainly electrical resistance probes. Together with their associated electrical equipment, they are effectively automated coupons and share many characteristics with corrosion coupons. An ER system measures the resistance of a thin metal element made from the structure material. As corrosion removes metal, resistance increases. A corrosion data logger or transmitter compares this change with a reference resistance, converts it to corrosion data and records it. The main advantage over coupons is simpler online measurement. Automated continuous monitoring detects changes in corrosion rate, allowing timely adjustment of corrosion inhibitor type and dosing rate, and of process conditions.
Borna Electronic probes fall into two application groups: electrical resistance probes and special-purpose probes.
Electrical Resistance Probes
- Flush Probes
- Tubular or Cylindrical Probes
- Tube Ribbon or Wire Loop Probes
Special Purpose Probes
- Linear Polarisation Resistance Probes
- Hydrogen Probes
- Sand Probes
- Biological Probes
Borna Electronic probe elements use the same material as the structure. Bodies are generally manufactured from 316 or 316L stainless steel to customer requirements and international standards including ASTM A276 and ANSI/NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 for sour environments. For very severe corrosion conditions, suitable alternative stainless steel materials such as Inconel 625, Nitronic or Duplex, can be used.
These probes connect to corrosion data loggers or transmitters through a connector and a military six-pin socket.
Corrosion probes detect, monitor and measure corrosion rates in industrial systems such as pipelines, tanks, heat exchangers and offshore platforms. By providing real-time or periodic data on metal weight loss caused by corrosion, they support predictive maintenance and integrated management of the monitored system.
Borna Electronic probes are classified by operating mechanism as follows:
Electrical resistance ER probes measure changes in the resistance of a metal element over time. They are used for long-term corrosion-rate monitoring. Their advantages include accurate uniform-corrosion measurements and suitability for highly corrosive environments. Their response to localised corrosion is weak.
Linear polarisation resistance LPR probes apply a small voltage to a metal electrode and measure the resulting current to determine corrosion rate. They provide continuous, real-time monitoring in conductive liquids such as water and acids. Their main advantage is rapid corrosion-rate measurement. They require a conductive environment and are unsuitable for non-aqueous environments.
Galvanic probes use two dissimilar metals and measure the current generated by galvanic activity. They monitor galvanic corrosion, are easy to use and need no external power. Their accuracy for general-corrosion measurement is low.
Hydrogen probes detect atomic hydrogen entering steel and indicate the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking. They are used in high-pressure hydrogen environments such as refineries. Their main advantage is early warning of hydrogen damage, although their application is limited and specialised.
ER and LPR Corrosion Probe Types
Borna Electronic ER Probe Coding Table