Benchmarking parameters for remote electrochemical corrosion detection and monitoring of offshore wind turbine structures

Abstract

The remote location and position of offshore wind turbine structures severely limits the application of in situ corrosion detection methods such as ultrasonic, acoustic emission, and X-ray. A real-time remote sensing (RTRS) technology can be implemented to provide autonomous detection and monitoring, providing exhaustive and detailed information on the corrosion process. Utilizing the concept of Internet of Things (IoT) through the integration with satellite and terrestrial communication network, iWindCr, a technology development project funded by the Innovate UK, aims to design a wireless sensor network (WSN) of smart miniaturized sensors for corrosion detection and monitoring of the offshore wind turbine structures. This paper discusses the rationale and challenges around the iWindCr WSN design, particularly in the development of a miniaturized system and in relation to the provision of power and power consumption.The later has led to the selection and the integration of the electrochemical analysis techniques, namely open circuit potential (OCP) and zero resistance ammeter (ZRA) on the sensor interface system. The verification of these techniques for the corrosion detection sensor has resulted in a database consisting of the corrosion parameter outputs or threshold values of metals specific to offshore wind turbine structures, in this case tower, foundation, and nacelle (gearbox). The database provides end-users with the benchmark that can be used to detect physical changes during the course of corrosion or passive film damage. These parameters are incorporated in the user interface data analytic software, enabling the quantification of corrosion or film damage.

Ultrasound-Based Smart Corrosion Monitoring System for Offshore Wind Turbines

“…This imposes very hard specifications that the monitoring system must meet. Therefore, prior to the selection of an appropriate corrosion monitoring technique and sensors, the zone of interest (splash zone, atmospheric zone, submerged zone) of the wind tower and the respective environmental conditions must be considered separately [19].…”

Applicability Analysis of Inspection and Monitoring Technologies in Wind Turbine Towers

“…However, the remote location of offshore wind turbines seriously limits the application of in situ corrosion detection methods such as ultrasonic, acoustic emission, and X-ray. erefore, Ahuir-Torres et al [31] designed a wireless intelligent sensor network system for the corrosion detection of offshore wind turbine towers with the application of realtime remote sensing technology. e electrochemical properties of the structure will change when it is corroded, which will be detected by electrochemical sensors.…”

Reliable and Low-Power Communications System Based on IR-UWB for Offshore Wind Turbines

“…Nowadays, those O&M costs can represent up to 30% of the mentioned LCoE, not only due to the challenging access to the wind turbines (WT) and the adverse environmental conditions at the sea, but also because of the poor O&M strategies that have been carried out traditionally. A typical example of inefficient planning would be a strategy that relies on the historical failure times of the WT components [2].…”

“…In contrast, the development of smart O&M strategies based on remote monitoring solutions can greatly reduce downtimes for unplanned maintenance and machinery failures. In fact, those monitoring systems can provide a continuous view of the state of the platform, giving the operators the chance to organize the costly visits to the WTs efficiently [2,3]. Considering that corrosion is the main root cause for offshore structural failures, developing corrosion-related structural health monitoring (SHM) solutions is essential to recognize early signs of structural risks.…”