By paying close attention to materials sourcing and production techniques, BAC Corrosion Control has developed a new range of impressed current mixed metal oxide tubular anodes whose cost closely approaches those of equivalent silicon-iron and cheaper magnetite multiple anode strings. The anodes are specifically designed to protect buried metallic structures from corrosion and due to their light weight and ease of installation, they eliminate the handling and installation problems associated with the heavy and brittle alternatives.
BAC’s tubular device comprises a titanium tube with a mixed metal oxide coating that activates the titanium electrically enabling it to function as an anode. With the cable connection in the middle of the tube, at a crimped section, even current distribution along the anode’s length is assured. Full internal moisture protection is provided by a complete filling of epoxy resin, end caps and cable seals. The BAC range comprises three pipe diameters and two pipe lengths with a variety of cable types to suit particular applications.
Strung together the anodes can be used in vertical or horizontal groundbeds in fresh or seawater, soil or mud, from shallow trenches through to deep wells in very dry areas. Due to their light weight, they can be installed without resort to mechanical lifting equipment. For deep well applications the upper end of each anode in a string is fitted with centralising spigots.
With a very low consumption rate -- milligrams per ampere/year -- tube dimensions stay almost constant during the life of these consistently low resistance anodes which, depending upon application, can be up to 20 years. Chemical stability of the anodes in soil, mud, fresh or seawater is very high, even in very low pH value environments and the coating is not affected by chlorine.