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AnodeFlex™
Flexible Anode Systems
By Covalence
A system of impressed current, flexible
cable anodes
for cathodic protection systems of buried structures.
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AnodeFlex 1500 - Flexible anode
for impressed-current cathodic protection for directional drill
applications. Five-element construction: central copper conductor,
conductive polymer jacket, coke breeze, fabric jacket, outer protective
braid.
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AnodeFlex 3000 - Flexible anode
for impressed-current cathodic protection of buried pipelines and
on-grade and buried storage tanks. Five-element construction: central copper conductor,
copper-cored, mixed metal oxide (MMO) anode, coke breeze, fabric jacket, outer protective
braid.
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AnodeFlex Splice Kits -
In-line splice, Tee splice, or end-cap splice kits for AnodeFlex 1500
system.
 What is AnodeFlex™?
AnodeFlex is an
impressed current, flexible cable anode system for use in cathodic
protection of buried structures. Placed alongside a pipe or other buried
metal structure, AnodeFlex provides uniform cathodic protection to every
point, with a minimum of interference from adjacent structures.
The four basic
elements in the AnodeFlex system:
- A high performance coke breeze
serving as the active matrix in which the anodic reactions take
place.
- A copper conductor serving as
a low resistance busbar to deliver the required current over
considerable distance without incurring substantial longitudinal
voltage drop.
- A special conductive polymer
that seal the conductor from chemical attack, yet allows current to
flow from the conductor to the environment all along its length.
- A fabric jacket to hold the
coke breeze in place around the anode cable. This jacket is designed
to resist electrochemical attack, but to allow current flow from the
anode to the surrounding soil.
Installation
Installation of AnodeFlex is done using
standard cable laying equipment, such as a hydraulic back hoe equipped
with reel pay off equipment. A typical trench is only about 1 foot deep,
and 6" wide. No special backfill is required. Typical installation rates
of 2 miles per day can be achieved. AnodeFlex is supplied on a reel. A
set of specially designed splice kits is available to handle in-line
splices, branch off, and end terminations.
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| Why use
AnodeFlex systems?
AnodeFlex continuous anode vs. discrete anode
potential distribution along a pipeline.
AnodeFlex is used to
achieve affective and homogeneous cathodic protection over the entire
surface of the buried structure. Cathodic protection current should not
be supplied to high demand areas at the expense of remote parts of the
structure. Homogeneous distribution therefore is more important than
current output. AnodeFlex is a unique and cost-effective way to keep the
operation of a pipeline in compliance with cathodic protection DOT or
other regulations.
The use of AnodeFlex on pipelines will
eliminate many of the problems found with conventional groundbed anodes:
- It equalizes cathodic protection at
consistent levels all along the line.
- Its low overall current output will
stop further coating degradation caused by cathodic disbonding when
higher current output anodes are used.
- Since AnodeFlex is installed
adjacent to the pipelines and its current output per feet is low,
interference problems are significantly reduced.
- In most cases, AnodeFlex can be
installed in the pipeline ROW. Environmental and other ROW-related
problems are therefore kept to a minimum.
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Where
are AnodeFlex systems used?
One of the major uses of
AnodeFlex is in rehabilitation of pipelines, where aging and
degrading coatings no longer provide adequate corrosion
protection. Re-coating the pipe is a very expensive solution,
often requiring to shut down the pipeline over an extended
period of time. In addition, the pipeline operator is facing
major problems of obtaining environmental permits and disposal
of toxic materials.
Solving Potential
Problems along a Pipeline:
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| A close interval survey shows the
underprotected areas, caused by deteriorating pipeline coating. |
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| Increasing current output of
existing groundbed anodes is no longer an option, since this will
aggravate the problem by further disbonding of the pipe coating. |
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| Installation of an additional
groundbed does not solve the problem, as underprotected areas
remain. |
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| The AnodeFlex systems offers a
better, more cost effective, and environmental friendly approach to
pipe rehabilitation. It is typically installed in the same right of
way as the pipe, adjacent to the pipe, with only minimal disturbance
of the environment. AnodeFlex provides cathodic protection on every
point without causing any under or overprotection. |
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