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Sacrificial Anode Sizing Calculation
Sacrificial Anode Sizing Calculation
Notes:
1 Galvalum III has a capacity of 2500 Ah/kg.
2 3 month replacement cycle minimum.
3 Guessing that a 3" OD x 30" LG Anode weighs 10 kg.
where:
Y= Design life (years)
A= Surface area (m²)
C = Current density (mA/m²)
U= Anode utilization factor
Z= Capacity of material (Amp Hrs/Kg)
The capacity of an anode alloy is a measure of the quantity of electricity, which the material will give as useable protection
current per unit weight of alloy corroded in unit time.
The utilization factor is a measure of the proportion of the anode, which can be expected to deliver adequate current at the end of
the systems lifetime and is related to the reduced cross section and length of an almost fully consumed anode. For most long
offshore platform anodes, this is 0.9 and for more complex shapes, e.g. bracelet, 0.85 or even lower is used.
The calculated weight of anode alloy cannot be installed all in one piece but must be distributed over the structure in the form of
smaller anodes to ensure uniform distribution of current. In order to select the best size and shape of anode, the total current
demand of the structure both at the beginning and an end of its life must be considered.
The anode must deliver adequate current to polarise the structure and build up Cathodic chalks, but also must be capable of
delivering the required mean current for the structure when 90% consumed. Moreover, the system as a whole must have
adequate excess current demand over that originally catered for in the design so as to ensure that the system is not limited by the
current output characteristics of the anodes.