Anode system and method for offshore cathodic protection
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorStephen N. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cathodic protection system for offshore structures includes an elongated electrode carrier, such as a pipe, with a plurality of sacrificial anodes attached, that is placed on the ocean floor and electrically connected to the structures to be protected. The system is particularly useful for retrofitting cathodic protection systems for offshore structures that have exceeded their expected life.
Claims20
A cathodic protection system for an offshore structure placed on the ocean floor, comprising:
- (a) an elongated anode carrier placed on the ocean floor;
- (b) a plurality of sacrificial anodes fixedly secured and electrically connected along the length of the anode carrier to form an elongated anode system;
- and
- (c) a conductor for electrically connecting said elongated anode system to the offshore structure.
A sacrificial anode apparatus for use on a metallic structure placed in contact with brine, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongated anode carrier placed on the ocean floor;
- (b) a plurality of sacrificial anodes fixedly secured and electrically connected to the anode carrier, wherein the anodes are located in close proximity to each other along the length of the anode carrier to form a long anode system;
- and
- (c) conductive means for electrically connecting said anode carrier to the metallic structure.
A method for cathodically protecting metallic structures placed in contact with the ocean floor, comprising:
- (a) securing a plurality of sacrificial anodes along the length of an anode carrier to form an anode section;
- (b) electrically connecting a plurality of anode sections to form an elongated anode system;
- (c) connecting an electrical conductor to the elongated anode system;
- (d) placing the elongated anode system on the ocean floor;
- and
- (e) connecting the electrical conductor to the metallic structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.