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Title: Alternative consumable anodes for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete bridges

Conference ·
OSTI ID:900517

Alternative consumable anodes were evaluated in the laboratory for use in cathodic protection systems for steel reinforced concrete bridges in coastal environments and in areas where deicing salts are employed. The anode materials included zinc hydrogel foil and thermal-sprayed Zn, Zn-15Al, and Al-12Zn-0.2In alloys. They were evaluated for service in both impressed current (ICCP) and galvanic (GCP) cathodic protection systems. ICCP anodes were electrochemically aged at current densities of five to fifteen times that used by the Oregon Department of Transportation (Oregon DOT) in typical coastal CP systems (2.2 mA/m2 based on anode area). GCP anodes were electrochemically aged at a rate defined by the steel-anode couple. Both types of anodes were exposed to 80°F, a relative humidity of 85 pct, and were periodically wetted with deionized water. The Zn anode gave the best performance in ICCP systems. The four anodes all produced sufficient current density suitable for use in GCP systems. The anodes materials, ranked in increasing order of GCP current output, were: thermal-sprayed Al-12Zn-0.2In, Zn hydrogel, thermal-sprayed Zn-15Al, and thermal-sprayed Zn.

Research Organization:
Albany Research Center (ARC), Albany, OR (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE); Oregon Dept. of Transportation, Salem, OR
OSTI ID:
900517
Report Number(s):
DOE/ARC-1999-016; TRN: US200711%%160
Resource Relation:
Conference: CORROSION/99, San Antonio, TX, Apr. 25-30, 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English