Condenser Cathodic Protection 2

[brianle]

For cathodic protection of a condenser in an electric power generating plant, can the sacrificial anodes be outside the condenser shell? The condenser is vintage 1950 and the anodes have been mounted to the inside of the waterbox access ports. If they can be mounted outside, I would think they could be replaced at any time.

 

[EdStainless]

They have to be inside so that the current pattern covers the tube sheet and the inside of the waterbox.
You should have test leads so that you can check the condition (V and A) of the SAs without having to open it up.

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Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[brianle]

If the tube sheet is welded to the waterbox, wouldn't they be the same "electrically" speaking. Thus, if the tube sheet was to loose an electron, it could get one from the waterbox, which would get one from the anode outside the waterbox? Wouldn't affixing the anode to the outside of the waterbox be similar to cathodically protecting a buried pipe?

 

[rustbuster]

The anode needs to be in the electrolyte. You cannot mount them outside the unit.

 

[brianle]

Thanks very much to both of you.