EVOLUTION OF REMOTE CORROSION MONITORING SYSTEMS: RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS, CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES, AND FUTURE PARADIGMS IN CORROSION DETECTION AND MITIGATION

Abstract

Remote corrosion monitoring has evolved into a critical field, enabling the early detection and mitigation of material degradation across industries such as oil and gas, transportation, and infrastructure. This paper explores the historical development, current state, and future trends of remote corrosion monitoring systems, focusing on advancements in electrochemical sensing, non-destructive evaluation (NDE), and data analytics. Historically, corrosion management relied on periodic manual inspections and destructive testing, limiting its ability to predict failures effectively. The advent of remote monitoring systems marked a paradigm shift by leveraging sensors to capture in situ data on corrosion rate, pitting activity, and environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and chloride concentration. Modern systems integrate advanced techniques such as electrical resistance (ER), the use of autonomous robots, and radiographic inspection amongst other methods to enhance the reliability of corrosion detection. Current innovations emphasize real-time monitoring, wireless communication, and IoT-enabled networks. These advancements facilitate seamless integration with predictive maintenance strategies and digital twins, allowing for better asset management and risk assessment. Big data analytics and machine learning algorithms are increasingly utilized to analyse complex corrosion datasets, enabling accurate predictions and adaptive control mechanisms. Looking ahead, future developments are poised to revolutionize corrosion monitoring further. Emerging technologies such as nanotechnology-based sensors, fibre optic sensing, and autonomous robotics are expected to enhance sensitivity and expand coverage in challenging environments like subsea pipelines and nuclear facilities. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence, edge computing, and block chain for data security will shape the next generation of monitoring systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the progression of remote corrosion monitoring systems, highlighting key technologies, challenges, and opportunities. By examining the intersection of material science, engineering, and digital technologies, it outlines a roadmap for advancing corrosion management practices to ensure safety, sustainability, and economic efficiency.

Key Words: Corrosion Monitoring, Electrochemical Sensing, Real-Time Monitoring, IoT and Radiographic Inspection, Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE)