US 2021/0340679 A1 · SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING INTEGRATED PASSIVE ANODES

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing and monitoring corrosion protection are disclosed. The system can include a sacrificial passive anode and a reference electrode. The sacrificial anode and the reference electrode can both be in communication with a component that is subject to corrosion and the liquid contained therein. The sacrificial anode can be electrically connected to the component with a bonding wire. The reference electrode can be electrically connected to an electronic measurement device and the component. As the sacrificial anode is depleted the voltage of the system drops. The difference in the voltage can be monitored over time and can be used in various algorithms to calculate a protection level based on the amount of sacrificial anode remaining. When the protection level drops below a predetermined level, an alert can be provided to inform a user that the sacrificial anode needs to be replaced.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for providing cathodic protection to a device containing water and subject to corrosion, the system comprising:

a sacrificial passive anode detachably coupled to the device and in communication with the water;
a reference electrode detachably coupled to the device and in communication with the water;
a bonding wire electrically coupled to the sacrificial anode and the device via a bonding relay;
an electronic measurement device electrically connected to the reference electrode and the device to measure one or more electrical properties of the system;
and
a controller in communication with the electronic measurement device to:
receive one or more signals associated with the measurement of the electrical properties of the system from the electronic measurement device;
and
provide a first alert when an electrical property of the system reaches a predetermined level;
wherein the bonding relay comprises an open position and a closed position, and:
in the open position:
the sacrificial anode is electrically disconnected from the device via the bonding wire;
and
in the closed position:
the sacrificial anode is electrically connected to the device via the bonding wire.

12 more elements

A method for providing cathodic protection, the method comprising:

installing a sacrificial anode onto a component exposed to corrosion;
installing a bonding relay in an open position;
creating a first electrical connection between the sacrificial anode and the bonding relay;
creating a second electrical connection between the bonding relay and the component;
installing a reference electrode onto the component;
creating a first electrical connection between the reference electrode and an electronic measurement device;
creating a second electrical connection between the electronic measurement device and the component;
measuring, with the electronic measurement device, a first voltage between the reference electrode and the component;
storing, in a memory of a controller, the first voltage as a zero percent anode protection level (0% APL);
closing the bonding relay to electrically connect the sacrificial anode to the component;
measuring, with the electronic measurement device, a second voltage between the reference electrode and the component including the sacrificial anode;
and
storing, in the memory, the second voltage as a 100 percent anode protection level (100% APL).

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for monitoring integrated passive anodes

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for monitoring integrated passive anodes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20