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:
l A high performance coke breeze serving as the active matrix in which the anodic reactions take place.
l A copper conductor serving as a low resistance busbar to deliver the required current over considerable distance without incurring substantial longitudinal voltage drop.
l 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.
l A fabric jacket to hold the coke breeze in place around de anode cable. This jacket is designed to resist electrochemical attack, but to allow current flow from de anode to the surrounding soil.
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:
l It equalizes cathodic protection at consistent levels all along the line.
l Its low overall current output will stop further coating degradation caused by cathodic disbonding when higher current output anodes are used.
l Since AnodeFlex is installed adjacent to the pipelines and its current output per feet is low, interference problems are significantly reduced.
l In most cases, AnodeFlex can be installed in the pipeline ROW. Environmental and other ROW-related problems are therefore kept to a minimum.