Cathodic protection system
OwnerJack E. Bennettinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus (20) for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete using discrete anodes (22) in or on the reinforced concrete member (14) to improve performance and service life of the discrete anodes. The discrete anode (22) is embedded in a cementitous grout or mortar (24) to encapsulate the anode (22) and provide contact to complete the cathodic protection circuit. A lithium salt is added to the cementitous grout or mortar (24) in an amount of at least about 0.05 gram per cubic centimeter. The lithium salt functions to enhance the performance of the cathodic protection system (20) by minimizing the deleterious effects of the anode reaction products on the grout or mortar adjacent to the anode and increasing the protective current delivered to the reinforcing steel.
Claims31
A method of cathodic protection of reinforced concrete comprising the steps of:
- (1) applying at least one discrete anode to said reinforced concrete;
- (2) embedding said discrete anode in a cementitous grout or mortar;
- (3) said cementitous grout or mortar having distributed therein a lithium salt selected from the group consisting of lithium nitrate, lithium bromide, and combinations thereof, in the amount of at least about 0.05 gram (dry basis) per cubic centimeter of grout or mortar;
- and
- (4) causing or allowing current to flow between said anode and reinforcing steel such that the steel is cathodically protected.
A cathodic protection system for the protection of reinforced concrete prepared according to the steps comprising:
- (1) applying at least one discrete anode to said reinforced concrete;
- (2) embedding said discrete anode in a cementitous grout or mortar;
- (3) said cementitous grout or mortar having distributed therein a lithium salt selected from the group consisting of lithium nitrate, lithium bromide, and combinations thereof, in the amount of at least about 0.05 gram (dry basis) per cubic centimeter of grout or mortar;
- and
- (4) causing or allowing current to flow between said anode and reinforcing steel such that the steel is cathodically protected.
A cathodic protection system for a reinforced concrete structure comprising:
- (1) at least one discrete anode affixed to said reinforced concrete structure;
- (2) a cementitous grout or mortar encapsulating said discrete anode;
- (3) said grout or mortar having distributed therein a lithium salt selected from the group consisting of lithium nitrate, lithium bromide, and combinations thereof in the amount of at least about 0.05 gram (dry basis) per cubic centimeter of grout or mortar.
A cathodic protection assembly for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete having reinforcement comprising:
- (a) at least one discrete anode;
- (b) a cementitous grout or mortar encapsulating said discrete anode;
- (c) connections penetrating said grout or mortar for connecting said anode electrically to said reinforcement;
- and
- (d) a lithium salt selected from the group consisting of lithium nitrate, lithium bromide, and combinations thereof dispersed in said grout or mortar in the amount of at least about 0.05 gram (dry basis) per cubic centimeter of grout or mortar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.