The Corrosion and Biofouling Characteristics of Sealed vs. Perforated Offshore Monopile Interiors Experiment Design Comparing Corrosion and Environment Inside Steel Pipe

Internal corrosion, chemistry and biofouling inside partially submerged hollow steel pipes are evaluated. Watertight pipes with stagnant water inside are compared to pipes with holes that allow circulation with the surrounding seawater.This experiment investigates the issue of whether perforated steel towers could be an improved design for steel monopiles that are presently used for shallow water offshore wind structures. By adding holes to the structure walls, surrounding seawater will consistently flush the internal space. This will create a habitat for marine life, and cathodic protection can be applied to protect the interior steel as it is applied to the external surface. Perforations could provide a potential solution for future designs and preliminary measurements have demonstrated significant differences in water chemistry and corrosion.