Mixed metal oxides (MMO) anodes have become the industry standard where reliable performance and long life are paramount. With the additional advantages of light weight, variety of sizes, configurations and good electrical connectivity, MMO offers an ideal choice for the Corrosion Engineer for many varied applications. Mixed Metal Oxide Coating has been designed for use in all cathodic protection applications. The MMO coating consists of mainly IrO2/Ta2O5 and is suitable for use in soils, carbonaceous backfill, fresh and brackish water, seawater and concrete. Operating parameters are varied for each parameter and are tabled below. Mixed Metal Oxide Anodes have an extremely low consumption rate. The titanium substrate remains constant throughout the design life of the anode is manufactured using titanium which meets ASTM B338 Grade 1 or 2 Standards.
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The operating characteristics for MMO coating loadings are shown below:
| Electrolyte Maximum Design Current | Density | Anode life |
|---|---|---|
| Carbonaceous backfill | 50 A/m2 | 20 years |
| Calcined petroleum coke | 100 A/m2 | 20 years |
| Fresh water | 100 A/m2 | 20 years |
| Brackish water | 100 A/m2 - 300 A/m2 * | 20 years |
| Sea Water | 600 A/m2 | 20 years |
* Current density should be determined in accordance with brackish water resistivity. Coating loadings can be increased or decreased depending on particular life/current density requirements.
Tubular anodes are manufactured using titanium which meets ASTM B338 grade 1 or 2 standards
MMO tubular anodes have an extremely low consumption rate. The titanium substrate remains constant throughout the design life of the anode.
The anodes are resin filled and helium tested for an effective seal of the connection. The cable end of the anode is protected with a teflon sleeve. Tubular anodes are centre connected and tested for resistance (less than .001 ohms). A variety of cable types and sizes are available. Several anodes may be fitted to a single cable to form a string of anodes for use in deepwell groundbeds.
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| Environment | Anode Size (mm) | Current Output (amps) | Life (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Coke Soil Freshwater | 19 x 1200 25 x 500 25 x 1000 25 x 1200 25 x 1500 32 x 1200 | 7 4 8 9.6 12 12 | 20 20 20 20 20 20 |
| Seawater | 19 x 1200 25 x 500 25 x 1000 25 x 1200 25 x 1500 32 x 1200 | 45 25 50 60 75 75 | 20 20 20 20 20 20 |
Anode life can be extended up to 30 years or more by increasing the thickness of the MMO coating.
MMO WIRE ANODES
MMO wire anodes are available in two standard sizes, with two standard current ratings. Other sizes and rating are available upon request.
MMO Wire Anode consists of solid titanium wire which meets AS1M 6348 Grade 1 or 2 standard that has been coated with Mixed Metal Oxide Coating.
MMO tubular anodes have an extremely low consumption rate. The titanium substrate remains constant throughout the design life of the anode.
Approximate electrical resistance @ 25°C of wire is: 1.5mm diameter 751537 microhm/ft 3.0mm diameter 181884 microhms/ft
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| Environment (anode maximum operating current density) | Current output/m 1.5 mm dia wire | Current output/m 3.0 mm dia wire |
|---|---|---|
| In carbonaceous backfill (current density of 50 A/m2) In petroleum coke backfill (current density of 100 A/m2) In fresh water (current density of 100 A/m2) In seawater (current density of 600 A/m2) | 0.25 A/m 0.5 A/m 0.5 A/m 3.0 A/m | 0.5 A/m 1.0 A/m 1.0 A/m 6.0 A/m |
Design Life: 20 years + when operating at an anode current density as above. Anode life can be extended up to 30 years or more by increasing the thickness of the MMO coating.
CONTINUOUS MMO WIRE ANODE
pml MMO wire anodes can be manufactured to provide a low resistance continuous anode by attaching the wire anode at frequent intervals to an insulated carrier cable. In this way the main anode /groundbed current is carried by the copper conductor thereby keeping the voltdrop in the wire anode to a minimum and evenly distributing the current along the length of the anode.
The pml MMO wire anode can be installed alongside poorly coated or shielded pipelines where effective protection may be difficult to achieve. pml MMO wire anodes can often be installed instead of expensive recoating. Both on single and multi-parallel pipelines, safe levels of protection can be restored along the length of the pipeline parallel to the anode. The system avoids difficult and expensive field recoating and greatly reduces environmental disturbance. The pml MMO wire anode is manufactured in coils or on drums and is available in lengths up to 100m. Several anodes may be easily connected together using standard spice kits to make a longer anode. Two sizes of wire are available with appropriate current outputs as detailed below. The current outputs are much higher than those available from similar conductive polymer anodes. The anode is installed in 100mm square cross-section of coke breeze. For increased current output, calcined petroleum coke backfill should be used.
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| Environment (anode maximum operating current density) | Current output/m 1.5 mm dia wire | Current output/m 3.0 mm dia wire |
|---|---|---|
| In carbonaceous backfill (current density of 50 A/m2) In petroleum coke backfill (current density of 100 A/m2) | 0.25 A/m 0.5 A/m | 0.5 A/m 1.0 A/m |
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RIBBON ANODES FOR USE IN FINE SAND AND CONCRETE
Ribbon anodes are manufactured using titanium substrate which meets ASTM B265 Grade 1 Standards and Mixed Metal Oxide Coating, MMO tubular anodes have an extremely low consumption rate. The titanium substrate remains constant throughout the design life of the anode. Nominal Dimensions of Solid Ribbon:
Width: 6.35mm Thickness: 0. 635mm Standard Coil Length: 76.22m
Standard Coil Weight: 1.12kgs Surface Area of Ribbon: 0.0 14m2/m
Current Output of Ribbon in Fine Sand: 42 mA/m operating at an anode current density of 3 A/m2
Design Life: 50 years + when operating at an anode current density of 3 A/m2.
Current Output of Ribbon in Concrete: 1.5 mA/m when at an anode current density of 0.11 A/m2.
Design Life: 100 years + when operating at an anode current density of 0.11 A/m2.
Titanium Conductor Bar Dimensions:
Width:12.7mm Thickness: 0.9mm Coil Length: 76.22m Weight: 3.8 kg
