Cathodic Protection Applications with sacrificial or galvanic anodes in industry

Abstract

Cathodic protection is the method of reducing or eliminating the corrosion of a metal by having its surface function completely as a cathode when immersed or buried in an electrolyte. It consists of making the electrical potential of the metal to be protected become more electronegative by applying direct current from an external source or by joining it with a sacrificial material. The research focuses on cathodic protection using sacrificial anodes and reveals the types and characteristics of anodes used in industrial and naval applications, the advantages and disadvantages are also considered. In addition, through the Excel program, a linear regression was obtained in the area of the naval industry, based on a formula to estimate the mass and quantity of expendable anodes for steel vessels. With data from real random characteristics of 39 Ecuadorian steel barges provided by the Directorate of Maritime and Fluvial Transport, the mass of sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection in seawater was estimated. It should be noted that this information is relevant for shipowners or vessel owners who must periodically change the sacrificial plates during the maintenance of their vessels. The owners of these vessels always want to reduce maintenance costs during their stay in docks or dry docks.