Metal corrosion prevention system using a non-sacrificial photoanode under sunlight
US6559373B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/291
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a solar powered cathodic protection system using a photocatalyst which functions as a non-sacrificial photoanode under sunlight, wherein said non-sacrificial photoanode consisting of the photocatalyst such as TiO2 (or ZnO) and an electrolyte, is galvanically connected to a metal structure to be protected and continuously provides electrons to the metal structure, whereby the metal structure is protected from the corrosion. The solar powered cathodic protection system using a non-sacrificial photoanode according to present invention is advantageous in that 1) an external power supply is not necessary, 2) it is easy to maintain the system because the non-sacrificial photoanode according to the present invention can be installed outdoors, and 3) the photocatalyst used as the non-sacrificial photoanode is inexpensive and semipermanent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.