Active anodes

Active anodes are a key element in electrochemical systems, especially in corrosion protection applications such as sacrificial anodic cathodic protection technology. This process is a method that aims to protect a corrosive metal by deliberately sacrificing a less noble metal (the active anode).

The active anode is made from a corrosive material that is deliberately used in an electroplating system. Typical materials for active anodes are zinc, aluminum or magnesium. These metals have a lower electrochemical nobility than the metal to be protected, which means that they are preferentially corroded. During operation, the active anode emits electrons during the corrosion process, which flow via the electrolyte to the metal to be protected (the cathode). This flow of electrons prevents or reduces the corrosion of the protected metal, as the less noble material of the active anode is preferentially corroded.

The use of active anodes is common in various environments, such as in shipping, oil and gas facilities or in urban infrastructure such as pipelines and water tanks. Regular monitoring and, if necessary, replacement of the active anodes is crucial to maintain the efficiency of the corrosion protection and ensure the long-term integrity of the protected structures.