A mathematical model for modeling the formation of calcareous deposits on cathodically protected steel in seawater

► A novel model is established to simulate the formation of calcareous deposits. ► Potentiostatic data obtained from in situ measurements was used to deal with boundary conditions. ► The model is capable of tracking the growth interface of the deposits by ALE method. ► The model can predict time-dependent changes of physical properties of the deposits. A 1D mathematical model, which aims at modeling the formation of calcareous deposits on the surface of cathodically polarized steel in seawater, was developed in this paper. The current model is related to mass transport phenomenon, electrochemical reactions, precipitation reactions and homogenous reactions. The model is also capable of tracking the growth interface of the calcareous deposits via the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method. The current model predicted time-dependent changes of the physical properties of calcareous deposits, including thickness, deposit porosity, coverage rate and electric resistance, and the numerical results are in good agreement with existing experiments.