Minimum Federal Safety Standards for corrosion control on buried oil & gas pipelines stipulate that metallic pipes should be properly coated and have impressed-current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems in place to control the electrical potential field around a protected pipe. In certain examples described herein, electrically-conductive composites can be used and provide intrinsically-safe materials without the dielectric shielding issues of existing materials used with pipelines. As reacted by customary spray applications, the nanocomposite foams described herein are directly compatible with ICCP functionality wherever foam contacts the metallic pipe. Various compositions and their use with underground and/or above ground pipelines are described.

The disclosure relates to a method and system for treating ballast water and ballast water treatment systems in order for treatment effects to be carried out, such as controlling the transportation of undesirable and invasive marine organisms. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods and systems for applying a superimposed time-varying frequency electromagnetic wave comprising both AC and DC components in a pulsating manner to ballast water within a ballast water treatment system.

The disclosure relates to a method and system for treating ballast water and ballast water treatment systems in order for treatment effects to be carried out, such as controlling the transportation of undesirable and invasive marine organisms. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods and systems for applying a superimposed time-varying frequency electromagnetic wave comprising both AC and DC components in a pulsating manner to ballast water within a ballast water treatment system.

A method for changing an activation state of an interruption module for selectively interrupting at least one passive cathodic protection unit from a metallic structure. The method includes enabling a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in data communication with a controller of the interruption module, receiving GPS time via the GPS receiver from at least one global positioning system satellite in data communication therewith, synchronizing a real-time clock time of a real-time clock in data communication with the controller to GPS time, disabling the GPS receiver and changing the activation state of the interruption module if a predetermined activation state change time of the interruption module is between the local real-time clock time and the GPS time.

A method for changing an activation state of an interruption module for selectively interrupting at least one passive cathodic protection unit from a metallic structure. The method includes enabling a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in data communication with a controller of the interruption module, receiving GPS time via the GPS receiver from at least one global positioning system satellite in data communication therewith, synchronizing a real-time clock time of a real-time clock in data communication with the controller to GPS time, disabling the GPS receiver and changing the activation state of the interruption module if a predetermined activation state change time of the interruption module is between the local real-time clock time and the GPS time.

Disclosed is an anode assembly for the corrosion protection of metal parts embedded in concrete. An ion-conducting material is placed between the metal part that is to be protected and the anode, which ion-conducting material exhibits higher ionic conductivity than the surrounding concrete, thus directing the protective current specifically towards the metal part. A galvanic sacrificial anode may be provided, made, e.g., from zinc and its alloys or aluminum and its alloys. The purpose of the material with higher ionic conductivity than the surrounding concrete is to selectively direct the protective galvanic current towards the metal part that is to be protected. The selective enhanced corrosion protection is especially beneficial for the protection of metal parts that are highly important for the structural integrity of concrete members, such as assembly of pre- or post-tensioning of concrete members, such as anchor-heads. The ion conducting material exhibits 20%, and more preferably 50%, higher conductivity than the surrounding concrete. A suitable ion-conducting material that exhibits ion-exchange properties may comprise tecto-alumo-silicate materials. The anode may be placed in close contact to or may be embedded into the ion-conducting material as well.

Corrosion protection of steel in concrete is provided by locating an anode assembly including both a sacrificial anode and an impressed current anode in contact with the concrete and providing an impressed current from a power supply to the anode. The impressed current anode forms a perforated sleeve surrounding a rod of the sacrificial anode material with an activated ionically-conductive filler material between. The system can be used without the power supply in sacrificial mode or when the power supply is connected, the impressed current anode can be powered to provide an impressed current system and/or to recharge the sacrificial anode from sacrificial anode corrosion products.

Corrosion protection of steel in concrete is provided by locating an anode assembly including both a sacrificial anode and an impressed current anode in contact with the concrete and providing an impressed current from a power supply to the anode. The impressed current anode forms a perforated sleeve surrounding a rod of the sacrificial anode material with an activated ionically-conductive filler material between. The system can be used without the power supply in sacrificial mode or when the power supply is connected, the impressed current anode can be powered to provide an impressed current system and/or to recharge the sacrificial anode from sacrificial anode corrosion products.

Cathodic protection of steel in a concrete column in sea water is simplified by providing a pre-assembled unit including a jacket to surround the column carrying a bulk sacrificial anode outside the jacket and optionally an inner sacrificial anode with a cast grout inside the jacket. The jacket can also include a pre-assembled junction box and couplings to connect to the steel. The jacket is attached to the surface of the column at the water line so that the bulk anode is located below the surface of the water. The bulk anode can be formed of aluminum so as to be less toxic in sea water. An activator is applied inside the jacket either as a wicking layer or as a chemical activating material. The jacket can act only as a form work which is then removed after casting of the grout.

Cathodic protection of steel in a concrete column in sea water is simplified by providing a pre-assembled unit including a jacket to surround the column carrying a bulk sacrificial anode outside the jacket and optionally an inner sacrificial anode with a cast grout inside the jacket. The jacket can also include a pre-assembled junction box and couplings to connect to the steel. The jacket is attached to the surface of the column at the water line so that the bulk anode is located below the surface of the water. The bulk anode can be formed of aluminum so as to be less toxic in sea water. An activator is applied inside the jacket either as a wicking layer or as a chemical activating material. The jacket can act only as a form work which is then removed after casting of the grout.