Cathodic protection anode and systems

摘要

A continuous length anode is formed of relatively small valve metal wire having a electrocatalytic coating braided into a highly flexible ribbon. The wire may be copper cored. The valve metal is preferably titanium, although tantalum or niobium are also preferred. The coating is preferably a mixed metal oxide coating. The braid is formed from wire sizes of from about 1/16 or less to about 1/8'' in diameter and the braided ribbon may be about 0.1 to about 6'' inches wide. Four system applications are disclosed, two for steel reinforced concrete, one for a tank bottom, and one for a buried pipe. The braided anode may be used in combination with valve metal ribbon or bar and may readily be electrically connected to power feeds or to itself by spot weld or crimp connections. Power feeds may be connected at a butt end or anywhere along the length of the braid.