AnodeFlex 1500 Flexible Linear Anode System by Farwest Corrosion

Copper Core with Conductive Polymer, Long-Line, Flexible Impressed Current Anode for C.P.

 

Description

AnodeFlex 1500 is a long-line, flexible, cable-like anode, which is placed in continuous close proximity to the target structure. Uniform distribution of cathodic protection current is therefore achieved on applications where many conventional anode ground beds do not work.

Key to the product’s performance is the central, conductive-polymer coated copper conductor. This unique construction allows current to flow long distances down the center conductor, while allowing sufficient cathodic protection current to continuously pass through the conductive polymer all along the length of the anode.

In contrast to conventional CP systems, AnodeFlex is placed in the ground in close proximity to the steel surface to be protected and provides uniform distribution of protective current to the entire steel surface, thereby maintaining the steel-to-soil "instant-off" potential in the required window of -850 mV (-950 mV if SRB’s present) and -1200 mV.

The central anode cable is surrounded by factory prepackaged, high conductivity coke breeze, held in place by a porous, woven acid-resistant jacket. This arrangement avoids handling loose coke breeze and simplifies field installation. The improved current distribution increases anode efficiency and helps prevent over-voltage problems such as hydrogen generation and associated rapid coating disbondment. In addition, interference from other structures and stray currents are virtually eliminated.

On poorly coated pipelines where optimal polarization can no longer be achieved, AnodeFlex 1500 can often be installed as an alternative to expensive recoating. Both on single and multi-parallel pipelines, safe levels of polarization will be restored at every point. The system avoids difficult and costly field recoating and greatly reduces environmental disturbance. Above ground storage tank bottoms and buried tanks can be more effectively protected from corrosion using this continuous, close proximity anode system.

AnodeFlex 1500 Construction

Five basic elements:

  • Central Copper Conductor: #6 AWG, serving as a low resistance busbar to deliver the required current over considerable distance without incurring substantial longitudinal voltage drop.
  • Conductive polymer: 0.5" (13 mm) in diameter special extrusion, sealing the copper conductor from chemical attack, yet allowing current to flow through it, from the conductor to the environment all along its length.
  • Coke breeze: Pre-packaged, high performance calcined petroleum coke breeze, serving as the active matrix in which the electrochemical reactions take place. Designed for minimum of 20 years service life at maximum current output of 16 mA/ft (52 mA/m).
  • Fabric jacket: Integrated woven, acid resistant and porous jacket holding the coke breeze in place around the anode.
  • Protective braid: Tough, porous, non-conductive protective braid enhancing the abrasion and damage resistance of the fabric jacket.

Maximum Temperature: 50ºC - 122ºF

Product Features / Benefits

  • Anode is always in close proximity to pipeline
    Distributes current uniformly over total length of pipeline.
    No over- or under-protected areas.
    Prevents accelerated coating disbondment.
    More effective & economical than a series of discrete anodes. Independent of variations in soil resistivity.

      
  • Pipeline rehabilitation without excavation
    A fraction of the cost of recoating.
    Environmentally friendly.
    No loss of revenue or supply interruptions.
    No safety concerns as needed for working on live lines.
    Far quicker, up to 1.25 miles (2 km) laying speed per day.

      
  • Long continuous circuit lengths
    90% fewer joints than conventional anode systems.
    Lower maintenance costs.

     
  • Avoids interference and stray current problems
    Enhances long-term performance. Focuses current on target structure. Improves protection and cost efficiency.

     
  • Pre-packaging coke breeze (AnodeFlex 1500-01)
    Ensures low resistance ground bed all the time. Ensure the polymer coated cable is centered. Simplifies field installation.

      
  • Installation with standard cable laying equipment
    Fast, easy, cost effective.
AnodeFlex 1500 Typical Properties
  

Recommended max design

Current output in soil
Min installation & storage temp.
Min bend radius

52 mA/m (16 mA/ft)
-18ºC (0ºF)
500 mm (20")

Product weight & dimensions

Nominal diameter
Weight
Length
Coke breeze requirements

1.5" (38 mm)
1.0 lbs/ft (.49 kg/m)
1550 ± 100 ft (472 ± 30 m)
0.072 lb/ft (1.15 kg/m)

Coke breeze requirements

Material
  
Bulk Density
Content
  
  
Resistivity at 10 Bar
Particle size

Calcined petroleum coke (fluid or delayed),
predominately spherical or round
> 65 lb/ft3 (961 kg/m3)
Fixed carbon > 99%
Ash <= 0.5 %
No volatiles at 950°C
<= 0.1 Ohm-cm
Size as small as possible, but must meet 1%
between 1.2 mm (Mesh 16) & 12.7 mm (1/2"),
99% < 1.2 mm

Copper Conductor

Dimensions
Resistance

6 AWG per ASTM B-263
0.0015 Ohm/m per ASTM B-193

 Conductive Polymer

Dimensions
Volume resistivity

Pass per ASTM B-263
1.5 Ohm-cm per ASTM B-193

Coke Breeze

Fixed carbon
Resistivity

99.7% per ASTM D-172
0.4 Ohm-cm per G.L.C.-C-12A at 23ºC, 10 bar

Fabric Jacket

Weight
Bursting strength
Abrasion resistance
Fluid resistance
Chlorine resistance
UV resistance

229 g/m2
575 N per ISO 3303
219 cycles to failure per ASTM D-4157
Pass, 6-month immersion test
Pass, 6-month immersion test
55% tear strength loss per ASTM G-53,
8 hrs @ 60ºC (140ºF), 4 hrs condensation @ 50ºC (122ºF)

 

AnodeFlex 1500 Ordering Information
  
 Part Number  Description
 AFLX 1500-01
 
AFLX-1500-01-CAP
 AFLX-1500-01-TEE
 AFLX-1500-1-SPLICE
 Design software
AnodeFlex 1500-01, standard length 1,640 ± 20 ft.
Optional lengths are available. Please contact Farwest for details.
End seal kit
Tee splice kit
In-line splice kit
Special computer program to calculate cathodic protection circuit lengths, anode to pipe distances, power supply voltages, and current demands for each individual AnodeFlex section on pipeline and tank applications.