RU2690581C1 - Anode bed - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: chemistry.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to electrochemical protection and can be used for anode bed of installations of electrochemical protection of metal and reinforced concrete structures from corrosion, which contact with high-resistance soil. Anode bed electrode comprises electrode and external connecting element, at that, electrode body is made solid from electrically conductive polymer material in form of pipe, wherein in electrode body there is a filling hole, lower end of electrode body is plugged and activator is located in electrode body cavity, wherein the external connecting element containing the cable connected to the electrode body is fixed on the upper end of the electrode body by means of the connecting unit and the electrode body made in the form of a pipe is made with multiple perforated holes communicated with the filling hole as fluid medium. Also disclosed is a method of making such anode bed electrode and method of cathodic protection using it.EFFECT: invention increases reliability and durability of the anode bed electrode, as well as increases efficiency of its operation in sandy soils or high-resistivity soils.13 cl, 6 dwg, 2 tbl

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH INVENTION RELATES.

The invention relates to the field of electrochemical protection of structures and can be used for anodic grounding in electrochemical protection installations against corrosion of metal and reinforced concrete structures in contact with high-resistance soil.

BACKGROUND

It is widely known the use of cathodic protection to provide electrochemical protection against corrosion of structures, metal and reinforced concrete structures in contact with the soil with high salt content, sea water and other electrolytic media. The principle of cathodic protection is based on the imposition of negative potential on the protected object. The potential shift of the protected metal object is carried out using an external DC source (for example, a cathodic protection station) or by connecting to a sacrificial anode made of a metal more electronegative relative to the object. In this case, the surface of the protected object becomes equipotential and in all its parts only the cathodic process proceeds.

In the prior art, the choice of anode grounding is carried out taking into account the following factors:

- current strength of the cathode installation;

- soil properties at the grounding location (specific resistivity of soil, humidity, depth of frost penetration);

- location of the protected objects and other underground metal structures near the anode grounding location.

The material of the electrode for anodic grounding should be chosen taking into account the conditions given in Table 1.

The contact resistance of one earthing depends on the specific electrical resistance of the soil and the geometric dimensions of the electrodes and their relative position. The transient resistance of a single grounding electrode is assumed to be equal to the value of its resistance to current spreading. The contact resistance of the extended anode ground is taken equal to its input resistance.

Table 1 - Recommended conditions for the use of anode materials

Anode material Electrical resistivity of the soil. Ohm · m High-silicon cast iron less than 20 Graphite, graphitized and graphite-containing materials from 15 to 40 High-silicon iron in coke backfill from 15 to 40 Magnetite less than 10 Graphite, graphitized and graphite-containing materials in coke backfill from 10 to 60 Low carbon steel (scrap) more than 40 Low carbon steel in coke backfill more than 60

The calculation of anode grounding is reduced to determining the number of electrodes and their service life.

The initial resistance to spreading of the anode grounding current in different soils should not exceed the values indicated in Table 2.

Table 2 - Conditions for the use of various types of anode grounding and the requirements for the maximum value of the initial resistance to current spreading

Priming Recommended Anode Earthing Type Resistivity of soil, Ohm m Resistance to spreading of anode grounding current, not more, Ohm Salt flats Subsurface less than 10 0.5 Bogs, wet clay, loam Subsurface from 10 to 50 1.0 Sugar Subsurface or deep from 50 to 100 1.5 Sands Subsurface or deep from 100 to 500 3.0 Rocky ground, dry sands Deep more than 500 10.0

The service life of anode grounding T , years, is checked by the following formulas:

for subsurface anode grounding

T = (G _s • k _and ) / (q _s • i _ssr ),

where G _s - the mass of the material of the grounding electrodes (without coke backfilling), kg;

q _h - the rate of dissolution of the material of the anode electrode electrodes, kg / A · year;

k _u - the utilization of the mass of the earthing (usually equal to 0.77);

i _ssr - the average current strength, A, flowing from the ground, for the planned period of operation of the ground

When using coke backfilling, a reduction factor of 2-4 is introduced.

Traditionally, modern anode earthing is an element of elongated shape with a metal core and a polymer shell, which is located in the ground at a distance from the protected object. In some cases, the anode earthing may contain various layers that increase its efficiency.

A typical anode earthing is described, for example, in RU 48995 U1 (IPC C23F13 / 00, publ. 10.11.2005), such a grounding conductor contains a current conductor, a conductive polymer sheath, an outer conductor and a load-carrying element.

Also in the prior art known solutions aimed at facilitating the installation of earthing. For example, US 6,916,983 B2 (IPC H01R4 / 66, H01R4 / 38, published on July 12, 2005) described a grounding electrode configured to be installed in a very hard or rocky soil containing a long conductive metal rod at one end with a drill bit and on the other end with a head adapted to conform to the boring tool, preferably a boring hammer.

A disadvantage of the known devices is the presence of a metal rod, which dissolves over time, which degrades the properties of the earthing switch. In addition, the presence of an internal rod for the solution of RU 48995 U1 complicates the process of manufacturing the electrode.

In the main way, solutions of the prior art are aimed at improving the efficiency of anode earthing.

For example, in US 2014/339075 A1 (IPC C23F13 / 14; C23F13 / 16, published on 11/20/2014) electrochemical methods and products for protection against corrosion are described, in particular, an anode electrode is described, which is one of sizes that is at least at least 20 times larger than other dimensions, and contains an elongated metal conductor having a length of at least 1 meter, preferably 10 meters, for example 10-100 meters, and a coating that completely covers the conductor except for locations at connection points, for example, at the ends at least part of the conductor rytiya contact with the conductor and is made of a conductive polymer composite which comprises a polymer and mixed with the polymer exfoliated graphite.

In addition, in RU 2225420 C1 (IPC C23F13 / 00, C23F13 / 16, publ. 10.03.2004) a depth anode earthing device is described, which contains an electrode - an earthing body, a connecting cable, and an isolation unit. The electrode contains a metal conductor, coaxially placed inside the working shell in contact with the conductor. The working shell consists of layers of carbon material and a flexible shell of an electrically conductive elastomeric material with a specific volume resistance of 0.05-0.5 Ω · m. The connecting cable is integral with the conductor of the electrode. The insulation unit includes a heat shrinkable sleeve.

A disadvantage of the known devices is the presence of a metallic conductor, which is the carrier element of the earthing switch. The metal element during the operation of the device dissolves, resulting in reduced durability and electrical parameters of the earthing switch.

In addition, US 4,880,517 B1 (IPC G23F 13/00, publ. 11.11.1989) describes a catalytic polymer electrode containing a body of conductive polymer, forming an electrode base, which is provided with particles of a catalytic valve metal attached to its surface. Such a catalytic polymer electrode can be used as an anode in cathodic protection systems, for example, to protect reinforced concrete structures, bridge decks, support elements, parking garages, and steel structures located in the ground, such as pipelines for gas or oil, offshore platforms production, storage tanks for fuel, casing well pipes.

The known device is the closest to the technical nature of the claimed invention. A disadvantage of the known device is its lack of effectiveness when used in sandy or high-resistance soils.

Thus, despite attempts to improve the efficiency of anode earthing, the development of a reliable and durable anode earthing remains a pressing problem. In particular, to improve the efficiency of the polymer anode earthing in sandy soils, it is necessary to ensure the possibility of uniform and stable contact between the soil and the surface of the earthing to reduce the contact resistance.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve the reliability and durability of anode earthing, used, in particular, in the protection of structures in contact with aggressive media and located in sandy or high-resistance soils, as well as simplifying their operation and installation.

To solve this problem, in one of the aspects of the invention, an anode earthing device is proposed, comprising an electrode and an external connecting element, characterized in that the electrode body is made of solid conductive polymer material in the form of a pipe,

a filling hole is formed in the electrode body,

the lower end of the electrode body is plugged, and

in the body cavity of the electrode is the activator, while

an external connecting element comprising a cable connected to the electrode body is fixed to the upper end of the electrode body by means of a connecting node, and

the tube-shaped body of the electrode is made with a plurality of perforated holes communicated in fluid with the filling hole.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the connecting assembly comprises a heat-shrinkable tube and an inner connecting element, the heat-shrinkable tube being located over the inner connecting element and the upper part of the electrode body to secure the outer connecting element to the electrode body.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the external connecting element further comprises a filling tube in fluid communication with a plurality of perforated holes passing through the filling hole and extending into the body cavity of the electrode.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the internal connecting element is an end portion of the cable that is soldered to the electrode body.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the internal connecting element is a cable lug rigidly attached to the cable.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the internal connecting element is an end section of the cable that is cleaned and distributed over the surface of the pipe with its wires evenly, and then compressed with plastic tape and boiled.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which a fastening hole is provided in the upper part of the electrode body, the connecting assembly comprising a screw twisted into said hole and pressing the inner connecting element to the electrode body.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed in which the inner space of the heat-shrinkable tube is filled with filler based on a polymer or oligomeric composition.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the filler is a sealant selected from the group of silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, bituminous sealants.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, in which the perforated holes are located substantially evenly along the surface of the electrode body.

In one embodiment, an anode earthing is proposed, which is plugged with a plug, with the plug attached to the body of the electrode by heat shrinking.

In one of the additional aspects, a method is provided for manufacturing an anode earthing, comprising an electrode and an external connecting element, comprising:

perform the body of the electrode solid of conductive polymer material in the form of a pipe with the formation of a filling hole,

supplying a tube-shaped electrode body with a plurality of perforated holes,

fix the external connecting element containing the cable, on the upper end of the body of the electrode through the connecting node,

provide a plug at the lower end of the electrode body,

have an activator in the body cavity of the electrode,

In one of the still further aspects, a method of cathodic protection is proposed, comprising the steps of

- set in the ground anode earthing according to the first aspect of the invention;

- pour the solvent through the filling hole to exit the activator from the anode into the ground through the perforated holes;

- connect the anode earthing to the cathodic protection station.

Thus, the implementation of the body of the electrode anode earthing throughout the volume of electrically conductive polymer material provides a technical result consisting in increasing the reliability and durability of the anode earthing. The low solubility of the polymer material, the exclusion of the formation of an oxide film, resistance to aggressive media increases the reliability and durability of the anode earthing.

Making the electrode solid from an electrically conductive polymer material without a metal core improves the properties of the anode earthing and increases its reliability and durability, unlike similar devices, where the metal core contained in the electrode dissolves during protection. The dissolution of the metal core leads to a deterioration of the electrical parameters of the earthing switch and thus to a decrease in reliability. For example, in the process of dissolution of the metal core of the anode earthing significantly increases the resistance to current spreading.

The presence of many tiny perforated holes in the electrode body contributes to the uniform wetting of the electrode body surface with an activator solution, thereby reducing the transition resistance, which increases the efficiency of the anode earthing switch.

Attaching the cable directly to the electrode body, sealing the cable attachment point to the electrode, for example, using a heat-shrinkable tube that can be filled with a sealant, contributes to a more reliable cable attachment to the electrode body and tight contact between the cable and electrode, which also increases the reliability of the anode earthing and increases its service life.

In the following description, embodiments of the proposed invention are shown and described in more detail. It should be understood that the invention allows for other embodiments, and some of its details are modifiable in various obvious aspects without departing from the invention as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and description, by nature, should be considered as illustrative and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 schematically shows a general view of one embodiment of the anode earthing.

Figure 2 schematically shows in more detail the connecting node of one of the embodiments of the anode earthing.

Figure 3 schematically shows in more detail the connecting node of another one of the embodiments of the anode earthing.

Figure 4 schematically shows in more detail the connecting node of an additional one of the embodiments of the anode earthing.

Figure 5 schematically shows a vertical installation of the anode earthing switch of figure 1.

Figure 6 schematically shows a horizontal installation of the anode earthing switch of figure 1.

DESCRIPTION of the PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS of the INVENTION

The embodiments are not limited to the embodiments described herein, and other embodiments of the invention without departing from the gist and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the information set forth in the description and prior art.

The elements mentioned in the singular do not exclude a plurality of elements, unless otherwise indicated.

The methods disclosed in the present description, contain one or more steps or actions to achieve the described method. The steps and / or steps of the method can replace each other without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is defined, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may change without departing from the scope of the claims.

In general, referring to the attached Figures 1-6 of the drawings, an anode earthing switch 1 comprising an electrode 2 and an external connecting element 3 is proposed, characterized by the fact that the body of the electrode 2 is made of solid electrically conductive polymeric material in the form of a pipe, with the body of the electrode 2 being formed filling hole, the lower end of the body of the electrode 2 is plugged, and the activator 6 is located in the body cavity of the electrode, while the external connecting element 3 containing the cable 8 connected to the body of the electrode 2 is fixed on the upper end of the electrode body 2 through the connecting unit 4, and the tube-shaped body of the electrode 2 is made with a plurality of perforated holes 7 communicated in fluid with the filling hole.

In the preferred embodiment of the anode earthing switch 1, the external connecting element 3 further comprises a filling tube 9 communicated in fluid with a plurality of perforated holes passing through the filling hole and continuing into the body cavity of the electrode 2. The making of the anode earthing switch 1 with an external connecting element 3, which contains filling tube 9, preferably at the location of the anode earthing at a depth in the ground.

However, in the case of the location of the anode earthing switch 1 with the upper end protruding above the earth's surface, the filling hole 19 is a passage or channel (FIG. 2), provided with forms and dimensions for pouring the activator through it, made in the connecting node 4 during the manufacturing process of the anode grounding 1. In more detail about the options for the manufacture and application of the proposed anode earthing will be described below.

Turning further to the embodiment of the anode earthing, illustrated in Fig. 1, the anode earthing switch 1 comprises an electrode 2 and an external connecting element 3, the body of the electrode 2 being solid from an electrically conductive polymer material in the form of a pipe, with the external connecting element 3 being fixed on the upper end the body of the electrode 2 through an insulating connector 4, and a plug 5 is provided at the lower end of the body of the electrode 2 (alternatively, the plug can be integral with the body of the electrode 2) and in the body cavity and an activator 6 is located at the electrode, while the tube-shaped body of the electrode 2 is made with a plurality of perforated holes 7, the external connecting element 3 comprises a cable 8 connected to the body of the electrode 2, and a primer 9, in fluid communication with a plurality of perforated holes, continuing into the cavity of the electrode body, where the activator 6 is located, the connecting node 4 comprises a heat-shrinkable tube 10 and an internal connecting element 11, the heat-shrinkable tube 10 being located over the inner the connecting element 11 and the upper body of the electrode 2 for fixing the external connecting element 3 on the body of the electrode 2.

The electrode 2 is made of an electrically conductive polymer material in the form of a pipe, mainly cylindrical. However, other shapes can also be used, for example, the electrode can be made to have a substantially circular, triangular, rectangular, polygonal cross section, which may have an advantage in the convenience of storage, transportation and installation. In addition, the electrode body can be characterized by a variable cross section, which will provide variable electrode characteristics, which can be used to provide more reliable electrochemical protection of objects with complex geometrical shapes. These include forms with a variety of walls, bends, etc., which distinguish more complex geometric forms from simpler ones. A simpler geometric shape includes a circle and a rectangle of flat objects, a ball, a cylinder, a parallelepiped of three-dimensional objects.

In one of the embodiments of the anode earthing polymeric material for the manufacture of the electrode 2 contains in its composition a polymeric matrix, for example, of polyethylene, and may further contain an electrically conductive filler, for example, in the form of conductive black carbon or electrical graphite. The introduction of electrically conductive filler allows you to adjust the flow of anode current.

Electrode 2 is made by extrusion. Electrode 2 in the preferred embodiment is made of rubber mixture with carbon black filler, the specific resistance depends on the ratio in the composition of the rubber compound material and carbon black, and is in the range of 1 - 100 Ohm mm ² / cm. Electrode 2 is made in the form of a pipe with a length of at least 1 m.

In other embodiments, the electrode 2 may be made of a polymeric material by other suitable methods for imparting the required geometrical dimensions and shapes to the electrode, such as pressing, injection molding, injection molding, thermoforming, and the like. Essentially, the methods indicated above can be used, as well as any other methods that allow the manufacture of an electrode from a polymeric material.

Electrode 2 can be made of an electrically conductive polymer material with a low resistivity of ~ 0.3-5.0 ohm mm ² / cm, for example, polyacetylene. Also, the electrode can be made of a material based on conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyroll, polythiophene, polyphenylene-vinylene. Due to their structure, these polymers are conductive, and when using them, it is also possible to use additives to adjust the conductivity in one direction or another.

As additives in the manufacture of the electrode from both electrically conductive and non-electrically conductive polymeric materials, carbon-containing compounds such as graphite, carbon black, etc., as well as metal powders or other compounds with electrically conductive properties can be used. Essentially, the above-mentioned additives can be used, as well as any other additives that allow the electrode to be made of a polymeric material for more efficient operation and reliable protection of the object.

As cable 8, ELKAFLEX КГН-ХЛ ЭХЗ electrochemical protection cable can be used to connect electrochemical protection mechanisms or devices to electrical networks for a nominal alternating voltage of 0.66 kV, frequency up to 400 Hz or a constant nominal voltage of 1 kV. However, any other suitable cable can be used.

Continuing further in figure 1, which shows one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the internal connecting element 11 is an end portion of the cable 8, which is soldered to the body of the electrode 2 or is otherwise connected to it in an appropriate way. In an alternative embodiment, the inner connecting element 11 may be an end portion of the cable 8, which is cleaned and distributed over the surface of the pipe with its wires evenly, and then crimped with polymer tape and boiled.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-4, which show other advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the inner connecting element 11 is a cable lug fixedly mounted on the cable 8. Preferably, a hole is provided in the upper part of the body of the electrode 2, the connecting node 4 including a screw 13, twisted into the specified hole and pressing the inner connecting element 11 to the body of the electrode 2. In one of the possible options, the hole for tightening the screw 13 continues in the body of the electric The electrode 2 is essentially perpendicular to the axis of the body of the electrode 2 (FIG. 3), in another possible embodiment, the hole for tightening the screw 13 continues in the body of the electrode 2 substantially parallel to the axis of the body of the electrode 2 (FIG. 4). The advantage of the indicated embodiments is that the bolt is directly screwed into the hole made (without the need to cut the thread), since the material of the electrode body 2 is soft. Consequently, the compound obtained is characterized by a high contact density, as a result of which the transient resistance decreases.

Further, continuing according to FIGS. 3-4, a standard tip made of copper alloy can be used as the internal connecting element 11, which is fixed on the cable 8 by means of crimping or crimping.

The tube 10 of the connecting unit 4 is a heat-shrinkable heat-shrinkable polyethylene shrinkable tube, which is put in place and shrinked with warm air.

The described insulating connector assembly 4 is necessary to prevent oxidation processes and maintain reliable contact. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the internal space of the heat-shrinkable tube 10 free from other elements is filled with filler 12 based on a polymer or oligomeric composition, in a more preferred embodiment, the filler 12 is a sealant.

The sealant is introduced into the heat-shrinkable tube 10 after its installation on the spot immediately before the heat shrinkage in an amount sufficient to cover the entire connecting unit 4. The sealant can be selected from silicone, acrylic, polyurethane or bituminous groups of sealants.

The use of a sealant provides a more reliable isolation and protection of the connection of the cable 8 with the electrode 2 from breaks and other external damages, and also allows fixing the end of the filling tube 9, which continues into the activator 6. This increases the reliability and durability of the anode earthing switch 1.

Further, continuing as a whole according to FIGS. 1-4, the plug 5 can be attached to the body of the electrode 2 by means of heat shrinking. In this case, the plug 5 is a heat-shrinkable heat-stabilized polyethylene plug, which is installed in place and heat-shrinked by means of warm air.

In additional embodiments, the implementation of the body of the electrode can be made of solid electrically conductive polymer material in the form of a blocked pipe, for example, in the form of an elongated glass. In other words, one of the ends of the pipe (the lower end of the pipe) is closed with a bottom, which is made in one piece with the body of the electrode. In this case, the efficiency of such an anode earthing can be further increased due to the formation of a continuous electrically conductive surface. In addition, this design is more reliable from the point of view of protection against leakage of the activator with a substantially vertical location of the anode earthing.

In the pipe-shaped body of the electrode 2, an activator 6 is located. In a preferred embodiment, the activator contains metal salts that are activated by a solvent, for example, water. For its filling, the filling tube 9 of the external connecting element 3 can be used, one end of which should be located on the surface of the earth, and the second directly in the activator 6 in the body of the electrode 2.

As an activator, any suitable metal salt can be used. It is well known that the filling of mineral salts around the grounding increases the electrical conductivity of the soil, as the salt, mixing with the ground moisture, turns into an electrolyte. This is usually sodium chloride (or sodium chloride). However, a significant disadvantage of this approach is a decrease in the concentration of mineral salts over time due to their leaching during periods of spring thawing of snow or summer and autumn rains, and as a result, a decrease in the efficiency of the grounding switch over time. Especially, the indicated disadvantages are manifested when using anode earthing in sandy soils.

In the prior art it is known to use around the anode electrode backfill, which improves current spreading, backfill can be, for example, carbon, coke. The presence of backfill allows the use of electrodes in higher-resistance soils and reduces their dissolution rate.

However, such backfilling requires drilling wider holes in the ground, since it is necessary to provide space not only for the relatively small electrode, but also additional space for backfilling, which significantly increases the requirements for drilling equipment, complicates and slows down the installation of the grounding rod. In the case of installing a grounding conductor in stony soils or in soils with stony deposits, drilling holes with large diameters can be very difficult, as hard obstacles can be encountered along the way of the drill.

In sandy soils, electrical contact between the electrode body and the ground can be degraded, especially if the ground is very dry, which impairs electrical contact and, consequently, increases the resistance to spreading, which adversely affects the operation of the anode earthing and its service life.

The described anode earthing allows you to overcome these disadvantages, because the activator is located in the body cavity of the electrode 2, which means that it is protected from leaching and there is no need to drill wide channels, moreover, the presence of the primer 9 makes it possible to adjust the composition of the activator. For example, over time, the volume of solvent poured can be controlled.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the anode earthing switch 1, the body of the electrode 2 is provided with perforated holes 7. After installing the anode earthing switch 1, a solvent (for example, water) is poured into the soil into the soil through the primer 9, the activator begins to dissolve and penetrates the surface through the smallest perforated holes grounding and in the ground, thereby reducing the resistance to current spreading.

In preferred embodiments, the implementation, the perforated holes 7 can be located essentially evenly along the surface of the body of the electrode 2.

In particular embodiments, the perforated holes may be arranged in a predetermined pattern for a more uniform distribution of the activator over the surface of the anode earthing, for example, to be more rare in the lower part of the electrode body than in its upper part to reduce the solvent flow, which otherwise would have gone through the bottom of the grounding.

In preferred embodiments, the perforated holes may be substantially the same size. While in particular embodiments, the perforated holes may have different sizes for a more even distribution of the activator over the surface of the anode earthing, for example, the perforated holes may be smaller in the lower part of the electrode body than in its upper part, to reduce the flow of solvent, which would otherwise be all would go out through the bottom of the grounding.

It should be understood that in an embodiment of an electrode body in the form of a plugged pipe, the bottom of the electrode body can also be made with perforated holes, the characteristics of which correspond to the characteristics of the perforated holes located on the side surface of the electrode body.

In one of the embodiments, the activator is not located in the body of the anode earthing switch, but is pre-dissolved and poured into it through the primer 9. This embodiment allows adjusting the amount of the activator coming out of the grounding conductor and thereby controlling its electrical parameters, including resistance spreading.

In one embodiment, the design of the anode earthing is such that a substantially uniform yield of the solvent poured through the primer tube is provided.

In particular, channels can be made in the body of the anode for uniform distribution of the injected flow along the grounding surface. The channels may have a variable cross-section along the length of the grounding conductor to ensure uniform flow, that is, closer to the lower end of the grounding conduit, the channels are narrowed to reduce the flow of solvent, which otherwise would all go through the bottom of the grounding conductor.

Thus, due to the presence of the casting tube and perforated holes, the coating of the earthing surface with the activator and reduction of the spreading resistance is ensured, which additionally contributes to retaining moisture around the electrode body, which is especially important in dry sandy soils.

In one embodiment, a gel is pumped through the casting tube, for which it is easier to ensure uniform exit to the surface of the anode earthing, and which is less susceptible to leaching by groundwater, which together provides better current spreading, greater durability of the anode earthing, and increased convenience of operation.

The dimensions of the anode earthing switch 1 is selected depending on the parameters of the protected structure and the environment of its location. The length of the electrode 2 of the anode earthing switch 1 can be from 1.5 m to 15 m. For example, the anode earthing switch 1 with the electrode length 2 of 1.5 m is performed with a diameter of 0.05 m, and the thickness of the pipe wall in which the body is made electrode is from 3 to 15 mm, mainly, from 10 to 12 mm. The length of the external connecting element 3 of such earthing 1 is 3 m. However, the length of the external connecting element 3 may vary depending on the parameters of the protected structure and the environment of its location. The weight of the above-described earthing switch 1 is 5 kg, which is significantly lower than analogs with a metal electrode, the weight of which with the same dimensions can exceed 20 kg. Thus, an additional advantage of the proposed earthing is to reduce the mass of a unit of product, and as a consequence, reduce the cost of transporting many products, facilitate their loading and unloading during transportation, as well as simplify installation and installation.

A method of manufacturing an anode earthing switch 1 containing an electrode 2 and an external connecting element 3, includes the steps of: performing an electrode body 2 with a solid electrically conductive polymer material in a pipe to form a filling hole, supplying the electrode body 2 made in the form of a pipe with a plurality of perforated holes 7 , fix the external connecting element 3, containing the cable 8, on the upper end of the body of the electrode 2 by means of the connecting node 4, provide on the lower end of the body of the electrode a plug 5, expanding believe in the body cavity of the electrode activator 6.

In an additional embodiment, the anode earthing with a connecting element 3 containing the filling tube 9, before the stage of the heat-shrinkable tube 10, the filling tube 9 is introduced into the body cavity of the electrode, where the activator 6 is already located or where it will be placed.

The anode earthing made in the way described above complies with the requirements of technical conditions TU 3435-028-73892839-2012 “Anode earthing switches”, while it has the following characteristics: maximum current load: 5.0 A, anodic dissolution rate: 0.01 ... 0.06 kg / A-year, standard distance between points of connection to the trunk cable with vertical installation of anode earthing: 5 m, polymer electrode service life: at least 35 years, (service life may vary depending on the service life of the component cable), temperature round operation: 0 ... 60 ° C.

Figure 5-6 shows the installation options anode earthing 1 in the ground. Figure 5 shows a vertical installation option, figure 6 shows a horizontal installation option. In this case, the anode earthing can be installed both directly into the soil 16 and in the well bounded by the contour walls 14 and filled with an additional activator 15 of the anode space to further increase the efficiency of the anode earthing. The external connecting element 3 must continue to the ground surface in order to allow the connection of the cable 8 and the use of the primer 9 for priming the solvent.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the anode earthing 1, illustrated in figure 2, at least part of it, provided with a filling hole 19, must be located above the ground. With vertical installation of the anode earthing 1, this means that at least its upper part should be located above the ground. It should be understood that although FIG. 2 shows a variant with a filling hole 19 made on the front side of the anode earthing switch 1, the axis of the filling hole extending substantially parallel to the axis of the electrode body in its central part, this option is not limiting.

Other embodiments of the filling hole are possible, for example, a variant or a combination of them can be implemented, in one of which the axis of the filling hole is inclined relative to the axis of the electrode body, or the axis of the filling hole is offset from the axis of the electrode body so that the filling hole is located in the peripheral part of the electrode body , or the filling hole is made in the side of the body of the electrode. The latter option is the most preferred when horizontal or inclined installation anode earthing.

It should also be understood that an additional plug or other insulating means (not shown in the figures) may be provided for substantially completely blocking the filling hole. The plug can be made of known materials, providing reliable fluid insulation and the ability to quickly remove and install. In addition, it can be made of known materials, additionally providing electrical insulation, if the filling hole is provided in the anode-earthing connection unit, for example, but not by way of limitation, of rubber or other elastic dielectric materials.

In the embodiment described above, the anode earthing may be located in the ground below the surface of the earth and covered with soil. To fill the solvent, activator or their filling into the body cavity of the electrode, it is necessary to remove the soil covering the filling hole, and remove the plug that blocks the filling hole. After pouring, the described actions are performed in the reverse order: they install a plug and fill up the ground.

The anode earthing of the present invention operates as follows.

After the earthing switch is installed, the solvent (such as water) is poured into the soil through the filling hole or filling tube, the activator begins to dissolve and penetrates to the surface of the earthing pin through the smallest perforated holes, thereby ensuring a uniform spreading surface. The anode earthing switch is connected to the positive pole of the current source, the protected structure is connected to the negative pole of the current source. In this case, the protected object acts as a cathode.

In the process of protection, the activator and the anode are dissolved and destroyed, keeping the object of protection intact. In the anode earthing of electrically conductive polymeric material with filler dissolves electrically conductive filler, for example carbon black. Due to the absence of a metal core, low dissolution rate of carbon, the absence of the formation of an oxide film, polymer electrodes have high durability and reliability. The resistance of the polymer matrix to aggressive media allows the use of a polymer anode earthing as a low-soluble element of deep and surface earthing to protect structures located in sandy soils or high-resistance soils. Moreover, the body of the electrode in the form of a pipe with perforated holes through which the activator goes to the surface of the body of the electrode increases the efficiency of such an anode earthing due to ensuring a uniform constant surface spreading. Thus, the invention allows to increase the reliability, durability and efficiency of the anode earthing.

In the above description of the examples, the terms directions (such as "above", "top", "below", "bottom", "upper", "lower", etc.) are used for ease of reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, "above", "upper" "up" and similar terms are associated with the direction to the earth's surface along the anode earthing when it is installed vertically in the ground, and "lower", "lower", "down" and similar terms are associated with the direction from the earth's surface along the anode earthing with its vertical installation in the ground. However, it should be understood that the anode earthing can be installed in many other positions, including essentially vertical, essentially horizontal, inclined, etc.

For the purposes of the present description, the term "connected" (in all its forms, connect, connect, connect, etc.) generally means the articulation of two components (electrical or mechanical) with each other directly or indirectly. Such an articulation may be motionless in essence or mobile in essence. Such a joint can be achieved by two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate elements that are made in one piece as one single body with each other or by two components. Such a joint may be permanent in essence or may be removable or detachable in essence, unless otherwise stipulated.

Any numerical values set forth in the materials of the present description or in the figures are intended to include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit element, provided that there is an interval of at least two unit elements between any lower value and any upper value . By way of example, if it is stated that the value of a component or a value of a process variable, such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time, and the like, for example, has a value from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70 , implies that values, such as from 15 to 85, from 22 to 68, from 43 to 51, from 30 to 32, etc., are explicitly listed in this specification. As for values that are smaller than one, if necessary, one single element is considered to have a value of 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1. These are merely examples of what is specifically implied, and all possible combinations of multiple values between the lowest value listed and the highest value should be considered to be stated directly in this application in a similar manner. As can be seen, the indication of the values expressed in the materials of the present description as "weight fractions" also implies the same ranges, expressed in terms of the percentage by weight. Thus, the expression in the detailed description of the invention of the range in terms of "` x `weight fractions of the resultant composition of the polymer mixture" also implies the indication of the ranges of the same stated value "x" as a percentage by weight of the resultant composition of the polymer mixture.

Although the exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the broader invention, and that this invention should not be limited to the particular structures shown and described, since various other modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE POSITIONS

1 - Anode Earthing

2 - Electrode

3 - External coupling element

4 - Connecting node

5 - Plug

6 - Activator

7 - perforated holes

8 - Cable

9 - Pour pipe

10 - Heat shrinkable tube

11 - Internal connecting element

12 - Filler

13 - Screw

14 - Well contour

15 - Anode activator

16 - Ground

19 - Filling hole

Claims (26)

1. An anode earthing (1) containing an electrode (2) and an external connecting element (3), characterized in that the electrode body (2) is made of solid conductive polymer material in the form of a pipe, a filling hole is formed in the body of the electrode (2), the lower end of the body of the electrode (2) is plugged and in the body cavity of the electrode is the activator (6), while an external connecting element (3) containing a cable (8) connected to the electrode body (2) is fixed on the upper end of the electrode body (2) by means of a connecting node (4) and the tube-shaped body of the electrode (2) is made with a plurality of perforated holes (7) communicated in fluid with the filling hole. 2. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 1, in which the connecting unit (4) comprises a heat-shrinkable tube (10) and an internal connecting element (11), the heat-shrinkable tube (10) being located over the internal connecting element (11) and the upper part the body of the electrode (2) for fixing the external connecting element (3) on the body of the electrode (2). 3. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the external connecting element (3) further comprises a priming tube (9) communicated in fluid with a plurality of perforated holes passing through the filling hole and extending into the body cavity of the electrode ( 2). 4. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 2, in which the internal connecting element (11) is the end section of the cable (8), which is soldered into the body of the electrode (2). 5. Anode earthing (1) p. 2, in which the inner connecting element (11) is the end section of the cable (8), which is cleaned and distributed over the surface of the pipe with its wires evenly, and then crimped with polymer tape and boil. 6. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 2, in which the internal connecting element (11) is a cable lug rigidly attached to the cable (8). 7. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 6, in which a fastening hole is provided in the upper part of the electrode body (2), with the connecting unit (4) containing a screw (13) twisted into the said hole and pressing the inner connecting element (11) to the body of the electrode (2). 8. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 2, in which the inner space of the heat-shrinkable tube (10) is filled with filler (12) based on the polymer or oligomeric composition. 9. Anode earthing (1) of claim 8, in which the filler (12) is a sealant selected from the group of silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, bituminous sealants. 10. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 1, in which the perforated holes (7) are located substantially evenly over the surface of the electrode body (2). 11. Anode earthing (1) according to claim 1, which is plugged with a plug, and plug (5) is attached to the body of the electrode (2) by heat shrinking. 12. A method of manufacturing an anode earthing (1) containing an electrode (2) and an external connecting element (3), comprising the steps of: perform the body of the electrode (2) solid from an electrically conductive polymer material in the form of a pipe with the formation of a filling hole, supply the tube-shaped electrode body (2) with a plurality of perforated holes (7), fix the external connecting element (3) containing the cable (8) on the upper end of the electrode body (2) by means of the connecting node (4), provide a plug at the lower end of the electrode body (5), have an activator (6) in the body cavity of the electrode. 13. A method of cathodic protection, comprising: set in the ground anode earthing (1) according to claim 1; pour the solvent through the filling hole to exit the activator from the anode into the ground through the perforated holes; Connect the anode earthing to the cathodic protection station.

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