Assessment of Galvanic Anode Performance for Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Technology: Cathodic Protection;

Industry & Application: Energy/Infrastructure, Advanced Material;

Market: The global cathodic protection market is anticipated to flourish at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2033.

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is considered one of the most significant deterioration processes in reinforced concrete structures.
Concrete patch repair is the most commonly adopted solution for addressing corrosion problems in reinforced concrete; however, it only provides a temporary solution.
There are many solutions discussed herein including patch repairs which may result in repeated repairs leading to a costlier process & taking a longer period. Further, to ensure the quality & life of the galvanic anode, a short-term test method to evaluate the long-term performance of galvanic anodes is required
Hence, Galvanic Anode Performance (GAP) test is developed.

Present invention describes a short-term method for evaluating the long-term performance of galvanic anode for cathodic protection of RC structures.
Said method comprises a few steps illustrated in the first step in the smart chart:

The following steps are mentioned herein below:

Placing the cathode below the GAP test specimen and connecting said anode to the positive terminal of the DC power supply.
Placing the GAP test specimen on the cathode made of corrosion resistant material and connecting it to the negative terminal of DC power supply.
Filing up the reaction chamber above the base of the said test specimen, with an electrolyte such as concrete pore solution having a pH of 12-14;
Setting a voltage gradient arrangement of a self-regulating cooling system, and
Measuring and recording the output current from each specimen.

Technical Perspective:

Cathode is selected from a group of corrosion-resistant metals or metal alloys.
The cathode has a surface area greater than the surface area of the anode.
Cathode is embedded in the mortar or placed adjacent to the surface of the mortar cover.
The level of concrete pore solution should be maintained at a minimum level of 5 mm above the base of the GAP test specimen.
Created potential gradients should be less than 10 V, ambient temperature is in a range from 10-40⁰C.
The quality & service life of the anodes are assessed based on the measured output currents of the anode specimens.
Self-regulating cooling system comprises an embedded temperature measuring sensor, self-controlling system, a continuously running electrolyte at a temperature in the range from 10-30⁰C, and one or more exhaust fan arrangement.
Using the proposed test method, the anodes of any shape, size or metal type can be evaluated for their long-term performance.

Industrial Perspective:

Develop an efficient short-term test method for evaluating the performance and life of galvanic anodes used for cathodic protection of concrete structures from corrosion.
Helps in identifying a high-performance, durable, and long-lasting galvanic anode component.
Applicable simulate steel in reinforced concrete structures, pipelines, power plants or any other infrastructure.

Prof. Radhakrishna G Pillai

Department of Civil Engineering

TRL-4

Proof of concept tested in Lab

Technology Transfer