ZINC ANODE

For steel and aluminum boat hulls (or underwater structures), the following formula can be
used to calculate the total weight (in pounds) of sacrificial anodes required.

Anode Weight (lbs) = [(Wetted Surface Area) x (Current Density) x (Immersion)]

[(Energy Content) x (1000 mA/Amp)]

Wetted Surface Area (sq-ft): Actual or Estimated Wetted Surface of Metal

1.5 – 5.0 for painted Steel hull / structure
Current Density (mA per sq-ft):
0.2 – 3.0 for painted Aluminum hull / structure
Number of hours in water per replacement
Immersion (hours):
interval (8766 hours per year)
368 for Mil-Spec zinc anodes
Energy Content (amp-hours per pound):
1108 for Mil-Spec aluminum anodes

Estimating Wetted Surface Area of Boat Hulls:

= 1.0 LWL x (Beam + Draft) for full displacement vessels (motor yachts and sail boats)

= 0.75 LWL x (Beam + Draft) for medium displacement vessels

= 0.50 LWL x (Beam + Draft) for light-displacement vessels

Source: ABYC Corrosion Certification Study Guide

Estimating Current Density:

The amount of electric current required from anodes protecting a metal hull (or structure) in
seawater is primarily a function of the water's flow rate and the quality of the metal's
protective paint coating. BoatZincs.com issues the following design estimates:

Steel Hull or Structure

Stationary (0 - 0.5 mph):

Well coated = 1.5 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 2 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 3 mA/sq-ft

Low Velocity Water Flow (0.5 - 2 mph):

Well coated = 2 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 4 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 5 to 15 mA/sq-ft

Medium Velocity Water Flow (2 - 5 mph):

Well coated = 3 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 5 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 15 to 30 mA/sq-ft
High Velocity Water Flow (>5 mph):
Well coated = 5 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 10 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 25 to 100 mA/sq-ft

Aluminum Hull or Structure

Stationary (0 - 0.5 mph):

Well coated = 0.5 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 1 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 2 mA/sq-ft

Low Velocity Water Flow (0.5 - 2 mph):

Well coated = 1 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 2 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 4 to 8 mA/sq-ft

Medium Velocity Water Flow (2 - 5 mph):

Well coated = 2 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 3 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 5 to 12 mA/sq-ft

High Velocity Water Flow (>5 mph):

Well coated = 3 mA/sq-ft
Poor or old coating = 5 mA/sq-ft
Uncoated = 10 to 25 mA/sq-ft

EXTERNAL PROTECTION
The number of anodes for the protection of the hull is calculated based on the following criteria:

A. CURRENT REQUIREMENTS
The wetted surface of the hull times protective current density.

B. SYSTEM DESIGN LIFE

The total weight of anode material required is:

As a result the number of anodes selected must at least satisfy both the total current and total weight requirements as follows:
ANODE LOCATION
The calculated anodes must be installed in equal distances around the hull, about 6 meters apart. The 15% - 20% of the total calculated QTY must be
installed to the stern and rudder area of the vessel. The anodes should not be mounted in the zone close to the propeller's edges.

INTERNAL CATHODIC PROTECTION

The cathodic protection of the ship's tanks is effected with sacrificial anode system. Of course, this type of protection can be applied only to water
ballast or cargo/ballast tanks. Zinc aluminum or magnesium anodes may be used but for the installation precautions must be taken for avoiding
hydrogen evolution (in the case of magnesium) and sparking (in the case of aluminum). The final selection of the alloy to be used will also depend on
the ballast water (seawater), the compatibility of the alloy with any cargo, which might be carried in the tank, the size of the protected tank and the type
of the vessel.

CURRENT DENSITY REQUIRED FOR PROTECTION

In case, the tank surface is being painted, the anodes will be installed to suppress corrosion on any area with paint defects. The current density of
5mAmp/m2 is normally adequate. In case, of non-coated surface the following current densities are recommended:

FORE AND AFT PEAK TANK 108mAp/m²

TOP SIDE TANKS 120mAp/m²
DOUBLE BOTTOM TANKS 86mAp/m²
CARGO/CLEAN BALLAST TANK 86mAp/m²
LOWER WING TANKS 90mAp/m²
The system life should be at least four (4) years. The above-recommended current densities are applicable to ships for which the normal ballast trip is
longer than approx. 5 days. In case, the trip is shorter than 5 days, then the above densities should be increased by 20%.

Read more:http://www.katradis.com/products.php?category=anodes&page=calculations#ixzz2aCGID5bv