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AssigneeInfrastructure Repair Technologies, Inc.
InventorSten K. Henriksen
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides a method of inhibiting or preventing corrosion of reinforced steel in concrete by eliminating the differences in surface potentials that result in the total pasivation of corrosion activity and create an environment in the steel that does not allow corrosion. The method, optimally includes measuring the active non-uniform surface potential in the steel and passing a DC voltage through the concrete and steel to stop corrosion providing a substantially uniform potential on the reinforced steel. The current is controlled and adjusted to send pre-determined amounts of electrical energy to individual areas targeted for treatment. A corrosion potential survey may be conducted to determine the energy requirements necessary for the corrosion condition or a reference electrode may be strategically placed on the concrete structure. The amount of energy passed is sufficient to polarize the reinforcing steel sufficiently to stop corrosion and establish substantially uniform surface potentials on all the reinforcing steel. The invention also includes changing conditions on the surface of steel from a condition of non-uniform surface potential to a condition of substantially uniform surface potential.
A method of chloride extraction from contaminated reinforced concrete comprising, removing the chloride using an electrolyte comprised of an ionically conductive gel having at least one bonding agent.
A method of chloride extraction from contaminated reinforced concrete comprising, removing the chloride using a petroleum-based, ionically conductive gel comprised of a pH booster.
A method of chloride removal from reinforced concrete comprising removing the chloride from the concrete by an electrochemical system comprising an ionically conductive gel having a conductivity, and adjusting the conductivity of the gel.
A method of arresting corrosion in steel reinforced concrete comprising removably applying to the steel reinforced concrete, an electrolyte comprised of an ionically conductive gel having at least one bonding agent.
A method of arresting corrosion of a conductive metal embedded in hardened concrete, comprising varying a condition on a surface of the metal from a condition of a non-uniform surface potential using an electrolyte comprised of an ionically conductive gel having at least one bonding agent, the non-uniform surface potential including active corrosion, to a condition of a substantially uniform surface potential in which corrosion is substantially arrested.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.