Modular Anode Construction for Offshore Cathodic Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cathodic protection systems for offshore constructions and pipelines using sacrificial anodes become ineffective beyond their design life, requiring cumbersome and labor-intensive retrofitting processes, especially in seawater environments, due to bulky and inefficient anode constructions that complicate transportation and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A modular anode construction with pivotable and slidable frame elements allows for compact transportation and efficient deployment, featuring a main frame with fixed and movable anodes, enabling easy interconnection of units to form larger assemblies, facilitating standard container handling and electrical connections for extended cathodic protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anodes are mounted directly on the construction, then cathodic protection efficiency is improved, but transportation and deployment become difficult due to bulky construction
Solution Approach 1:
The anode construction is divided into multiple independent anode units that can be separately mounted on the offshore construction. Each unit contains one or more anodes with mounting components, allowing modular transportation and deployment while maintaining protection efficiency through proper spacing between units
Solution Approach 2:
The anode construction uses movable and adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the anodes to be positioned in optimal locations for cathodic protection while enabling compact configuration during transportation. The mounting components can be adjusted or repositioned to accommodate different construction geometries
2Ease of operation
If anode construction is made compact for transportation, then ease of transportation is improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anode units are pre-assembled with mounting components and electrical connection elements before transportation. This preliminary assembly reduces on-site deployment complexity, as the units require minimal additional assembly or preparation when deployed at the offshore construction site
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple anode units can be nested or stacked within each other during transportation to maximize space utilization in standard containers. The compact nested configuration simplifies logistics while allowing rapid deployment by simply unstacking the units at the destination
3Ease of manufacture
If standard container handling is used, then handling costs are reduced, but anode construction must conform to standard dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The anode system is segmented into standardized modular units that conform to standard container dimensions and handling equipment requirements. Each module can be independently handled using standard equipment, reducing costs while the modular nature allows flexible combination to achieve various total configurations for different construction sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The anode units are designed with universal mounting components and electrical connection interfaces that can be adapted to different offshore construction types and sizes. The standardized design enables use with standard handling equipment while the modular architecture provides versatility for various application scenarios
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the transportation and deployment of anode constructions, reducing labor and costs while ensuring effective cathodic protection for extended periods by maintaining optimal anode spacing and using standard handling equipment, thus extending the life of protected constructions.
Implementation Method 1
The electrochemical process taking place is generally along the following scheme for a ferrous material: Fe → Fe 2+
Implementation Method 2
a sacrificial metal ranking lower in the electrochemical scheme, and therefore being more prone to the electrochemical reaction, is placed in electrical connection with the main construction and protecting this from deterioration
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an anode construction comprising a frame with two or more anodes and being adapted to be used with an offshore installation for remote connection with the offshore installation through cable connections between anodes and offshore installation. The frame comprises a main part and at least one movable part mounted on the main part and adapted to be pivotable or slidable in relation to the main part, where one or more anodes are mounted in a fixed position on the main part and one or more anodes are mounted on the movable part. The main part has a bottom frame part and a top frame part and further at least two anode mounting columns between the bottom frame part and the top frame part, and where the fixed anodes are mounted on the anode mounting columns.