Abstract: A cathodic protection system providing substantially complete coverage to individual steel-in-concrete units in a multi-unit structure. The system includes a power supply, an electronic circuit board, a header cable, anode wire in each unit connected to the header cable, an adhesive fiber mat in each unit, and a conductive coating in each unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in which the MFCs are in discontinuous flow communication, methods of operating such an arrangement, methods of hydrogen production and electrical production using such an arrangement, a digester for use in the arrangement and methods of increasing power output from the arrangement.

Abstract: Corrosion of steel in a concrete structure such as a column in sea water occurs primarily above the water line and is inhibited using cathodic protection by attaching to the column an impervious sealed sleeve in which is provided a sacrificial anode in sheet form in contact with a layer of water transport medium so that water from the location of the bottom of the water transport medium within the water is carried into the area of the sacrificial anode to enhance ionic current.

Abstract: Semi-circuit systems, methods and apparatus for the protection of metallic elements immersed in an electrolytic fluid against electrochemical corrosion. The apparatus preferably comprises four components: a housing component, an anode component, an electrically conductive cord component, and electrical connector component. In preferred handheld examples, the housing component is positively buoyant, featuring impact and water resistant materials, partially encapsulating the anode, thereby protecting nearby structures from impact damage, while shielding the anode component from sunlight, thereby reducing the rate of marine growth thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrochemical corrosion protection to a process vessel, the apparatus comprises at least one anode in communication with the process vessel; a DC current supply being electrically coupled to the process vessel and to the at least one anode; and a potential control unit in communication with the DC current supply. The potential control unit is electrically coupled to the process vessel and to a reference electrode in communication with the process vessel. The current supplied by the DC current supply for passivating the process vessel is adjustable by the potential control unit. The process vessel may comprise at least one of duplex stainless steel and superaustenitic stainless steel.

Abstract: A heat exchange system including a heat exchanger having a housing and a cooling core disposed within in the housing. The cooling core is adapted to receive a flow of a liquid cooling media. The heat exchanger includes at least one iron anode projecting into a flow path of the liquid cooling media. The heat exchange system also includes an electronic control module operatively connected to the iron anode. The electronic control module is adapted to control the selective delivery of electrical current or grounding to the iron anode in response to predetermined conditions indicating the presence of sulfide constituents in the cooling medium.

Abstract: Cathodic protection of a structure including a steel member at least partly buried in a covering layer, such as steel rebar in a concrete structure, is provided by embedding sacrificial anodes into the concrete layer at spaced positions over the layer and connecting the anodes to the rebar. The anode body is formed, by pressing together finely divided powder, flakes or fibers of a sacrificial anode material such as zinc to define a porous body having pores therein. The sacrificial anode material of the anode member is directly in contact with the covering material by being buried or inserted as a tight fit into a drilled hole so that any expansion forces therefrom would be applied to the concrete with the potential of causing cracking. The pores are arranged however such that corrosion products from corrosion of the anode body are received into the pores sufficiently to prevent expansion of the anode body to an extent which would cause cracking of the covering material.

Abstract: An electrochemical antifouling system for preventing fouling organisms from adhering to seawater-wetted structures includes a direct current circuit for creating an electrolytic environment in seawater, the direct current circuit having an adjustable direct current source, a lattice electrode having a single metallic component so as to provide a dimensionally stable lattice structure, the lattice electrode electrically insulated from a surface of a seawater-wetted structure, at least one corrosion-resistant counter electrode having polarity opposite to the lattice electrode and disposed at a distance therefrom, and a switching device configured to alternatively switch the lattice electrode to (a) a continuous operating mode, and (b) a temporary depletion mode, wherein the lattice electrode is disposed in a distance range from the surface of the seawater-wetted structure so that the surface lies within an area of influence of an increase in pH value of the seawater caused by electrolysis.

Abstract: A prefabricated sacrificial galvanic anode panel includes a rigid or semi-rigid backing board or similar support surface over which a thin layer of cement, mortar or adhesive is applied for holding a compliant layer of material in place on the support surface. The layer of wet adhesive, cement or mortar is sufficiently thin so that upon drying it does not cause warping of the support surface. The compliant or spongy layer is laminated or sandwiched between a thicker layer of ionically conductive galvanic mortar and the substrate support surface. The compliant or spongy layer prevents the thicker layer of galvanic mortar from wetting the backing board or substrate support surface so as to prevent warpage upon drying of the thicker layer of galvanic mortar and also accommodates the expansion of corrosion products from the galvanic anode material.

Abstract: In combination, a storage tank having a metal bottom, compacted electrolytic backfill below the tank bottom and a cathodic protection anode within the backfill below the tank bottom. The anode is in the form of a generally continuous ribbon that is shaped to follow a serpentine path corresponding generally in shape to the tank bottom. A feeding cable network is connected directly to the anode.

Abstract: The connections to anodes used in impressed current electrochemical treatments of steel in concrete construction are at risk from rapid corrosion arising from induced anodic dissolution when these connections are embedded in reinforced concrete. A corrosion resistant connection that does not require any further protective insulation can be formed using titanium conductors [2,6] and connecting the conductors together at a conductor-conductor connection [5] using a clamping device comprising a non-metallic material wherein the clamping device only brings corrosion resistant material into contact with the conductors.

Abstract: A composite reconstituted anode well. The composite well has a first while section and a second regenerative section. The first well section has a pre-existing anode well earthen wall, pre-existing sacrificed carbon material, pre-existing sacrificed anode materials, and pre-existing sacrificed well casing. The second regenerative section has a regenerative well casing, regenerative anodes, and regenerative carbon material. The regenerative well casing is driven into the first well section which compacts the pre-existing sacrificed carbon material, pre-existing sacrificed anode materials, and pre-existing sacrificed well casing against the pre-existing anode well earthen wall which forms a first outer section of the composite reconstituted anode well. The regenerative anodes are placed inside the regenerative well casing, and regenerative carbon material is filled inside the regenerative well casing which encases the regenerative anodes and forms the inner well section.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cathodic protection system of reinforced concrete structures with discrete anodes obtained starting from a corrugated planar substrate welded to a longitudinal current collector. The anodes of the invention are particularly suitable for being installed rolled in cylinders, with their axis parallel to the current collectors, positioned inside holes made in the concrete of the structure to be protected.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is a leak limiter (20) of an electrolytic cell (1) for the production of aluminum, fitted with confinement means comprising passage openings for the insertion of anode stems (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support (21), capable of surrounding all or part of an anode stem, and at least one flexible sealing body (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) arranged around all or part of the periphery (23) of the support (21) and designed to close off all or some of the free space between the inside edge of an opening and an anode stem (3). This invention improves the leak tightness of covering means used in electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable of supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal [1] to the steel [10] using a power source [5] converting oxygen and water [14] into hydroxyl ions [15] on the steel and drawing chloride ions [16] into the porous material [2] around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is then applied. This is preferably sacrificial cathodic prevention that is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial anode directly to the steel.

Abstract: In combination, a storage tank having a metal bottom, compacted electrolytic backfill below the tank bottom and a cathodic protection anode within the backfill below the tank bottom. The anode is in the form of a generally continuous ribbon that is shaped to follow a serpentine path corresponding generally in shape to the tank bottom. A feeding cable network is connected directly to the anode.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a subsea monitoring station using solar cells to energize at least one electronic circuit incorporating at least one node having a determinable circuit value or other parameter test station providing a full time voltage readout, powered by the lights 16 on an ROV/AUV 14 or diver's lamp. An additional element of the apparatus is a subsea cathodic protection test station 18 incorporating a plurality of banks of solar cells 28 powering DC voltage test circuits having some form of parameter display, such as voltmeter readout 30, deriving voltage from ambient light 16 provided by outside sources, such as an ROV 14 or diver's lamp. The apparatus's cathodic protection test system includes four integral voltmeters 30 of which are powered with independent solar panels 28. The solar panels 28 are powered by artificial light 16 delivered by diver or submersible vehicle 14.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite sacrificial anodes, particularly but not exclusively, based on magnesium, and to methods for their production. The composite sacrificial anode (10) for immersion in a corrosive environment comprises a plurality of castings (12) of a sacrificial material each disposed around a corresponding electrical connector for attachment to a structure to be protected, at least a part of the surface of each segment (12) being protected from corrosion by the environment by being adjacent at least one other segment (12), wherein the castings are connected together electrically only via their electrical connectors.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for protecting an underwater structure includes a plurality of blocks which are capable of conforming to various structures. Each of the blocks include: a flexible wire rope, the rope constructed and arranged to pass through the center of each block in two directions, and embedded therein to fasten the blocks to each other by rows and columns; a sacrificial anode embedded in at least one of the blocks, and electrically attached inside the block to the flexible wire rope; and a connecting system electrically attached to the wire rope and to the underwater structure. Each block has a non-abrasive pad attached to it. The pad provides spacing between the block and the underwater structure. The system includes means for collecting performance data from the system. The sacrificial anode is made of a composition taken from the group comprising alloys of: zinc, aluminum, or magnesium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a structure from corrosion, according to which the apparatus includes two pivotally connected members, at least one anode device connected to at least one of the members, and a resilient component engaged with the members.

Abstract: An earthing electrode assembly and method for providing a submerged electrical apparatus with an earth path, the electrode assembly having an earthing electrode, an attachment device for attaching the electrode assembly to a cable, and an insulated electrical connection for connecting the earthing electrode to the submerged electrical apparatus. The connection is formed to be of sufficient length for the submerged electrical apparatus to be protected from electrochemical effects resulting from operation of the earthing electrode.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for internal surfaces of a pipeline is provided which includes a flexible anode assembly having a first and a second end and having at least one flexible anode wire having a first end and a second end. First and second removable pressure seal fittings are provided for the ends of the anode assembly that provide for electrical contact between the ends of the anode assembly and contacts outside of the internal volume of the pipeline. The system includes a DC power source where anode conductors are attached between the contacts and the DC power source. A second embodiment is provided that includes only a single pressure seal fitting.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a pipeline support for reducing corrosion on a pipeline surface comprising support fill material, a case for housing the support fill material; wherein when a cathodic protective current contacts the support, the current flows through the support to the pipeline surface to reduce corrosion on the surface.

Abstract: The flexible pipe comprises a plastic sealing sheath and an inner plastic sheath which define an annular space in which structural elements are placed. The structural elements comprising at least one armor ply consisting of metal wires wound helically with a long pitch are in the space. An end fitting is fitted at each end of the flexible pipe. At least one external anode electronically connected to at least one armor ply. The anode is placed in an intermediate region of the flexible pipe distal from the end fittings. A connection means connects the anode to at least one of the metal wires of the said armor ply in the intermediate region.

Abstract: A preassembled cathodic protection system is provided for protecting buried structures such as guy anchors, which includes a reference cell, test station and anode, all prewired together and tested before delivery and field installation. The package includes a convenient connection for the structure which has one lead to an exposed stud or contact point on the test station, and another lead from the connection to the anode or anodes through a shunt in the form of a calibrated resistance wire. The shunt is connected to two spaced studs or contact points on the test station by which the shunt is read. The reference cell is also connected to a stud or contact point on the test station. The reference cell-test station lead extends through a flexible tube. The studs or contact points are on the dome or cap of a rigid tube designed to project out of the ground or an electrolyte a short distance. With a guy anchor the tube may include an elow and angled portion.

Abstract: An anode is embedded in an electrolyte layer applied to the surface of a structure such as a pipe section to provide an ionic conductive path between the anode and structure to supply cathodic protection to the structure, where the natural environment may not provide a continuous electrolyte. The anode is comprised of a material normally used as a cathodic protection anode material, such as, an expanded valve metal mesh or ribbon having either an electrochemically active coating or noble metal coating, or a sacrificial anode metal alloy. The anode material is made continuous from one end of the structure to the other and may be connected to a common bus wire from one end to the other. The anode and structure to be protected are connected using wires to a DC power supply that causes cathodic protection current flow to the structure in the case of an impressed current system. No separate power supply is needed in the case of a galvanic or sacrificial anode system.

Abstract: Cathodic protection of concrete-reinforcing steel reinforcing elements is accomplished utilizing an anode of a metal (e.g. zinc) having a more negative electrical potential than the steel reinforcing element, and connecting at least one wire made of a ductile metal to the anode. The anode may be cast around the wire, or a twisted portion of two or more wires. The wires are wrapped around one or more of the reinforcing elements and electrically and physically connect the anode to the reinforcing elements. The cathodic protection is maintained over a sustained period of time by casting a cementitious material around the anode, e.g. a mortar containing an electrolyte solution having a pH of at least about 14 when the anode is zinc.

Abstract: An integrated cell and the test station is disclosed in a unitary package which includes internally encapsulated wiring connections at both the cell and test station. The cell and test station are tethered together by a flexible bungee tube which can be coiled and which can elongate or contract. The flexible tube provides a variable length and wide lateral flexibility. The tube also provides a convenient means to encapsulate the connections at both the cell and test station. The cell has a unique core formed by a double junction ceramic capsule. A pure copper coil element is positioned in the capsule in a super saturated solution of copper sulphate, for example. The capsule is sealed and the coil or element is electrically connected to a lead extending through the tube, and the end of the tube is encapsulated sealing the connection. The capsule is joined to one end of the bungee tube and the entire end is embedded in a stabilized hygroscopic gel which contains additional salt crystals.