Cathodic Protection: Preventing Corrosion in Infrastructure with De Nora Solutions

Corrosion is a pervasive issue that affects structures worldwide, leading to costly repairs, safety hazards, and potential structural failures. Whether in pipelines, offshore platforms, fuel tanks, bridges, or historical monuments, the deterioration of metal due to environmental factors such as moisture, salt, and oxygen exposure poses a significant threat to infrastructure integrity.
Pipelines, both onshore and offshore, are particularly vulnerable to corrosion due to prolonged exposure to water, soil, and chemical compounds. Left unchecked, corrosion can cause leaks, pipeline bursts, and environmental disasters. Similarly, offshore structures like oil rigs and wind farms operate in highly aggressive environments where constant exposure to seawater accelerates metal degradation. Other structures such as bridges, piers, and even historical monuments, are at risk from corrosion that can weaken their foundations over time.

To mitigate corrosion, industries rely on cathodic protection (CP), a proven electrochemical method that prevents metal structures from corroding. Among the leaders in this field, De Nora provides cutting-edge solutions with our insoluble anodes designed for cathodic protection systems.

De Nora’s Role in Providing Effective Cathodic Protection Solutions

To prevent corrosion, De Nora, manufactures mixed metal oxide (MMO) anodes (also known as insoluble anodes), which are critical to CP systems. De Nora MMO anodes use grade 1 or grade 2 titanium for the substrate. Titanium will not corrode, and it will provide a solid base for an iridium catalyst layer (therefore the mixed metal name). The catalyst will not degrade for decades and will sometimes outlast the structure it was made to protect.

De Nora’s anodes are an essential part of an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) system. ICCP uses an external power source (rectifier) to drive DC through insoluble anodes, effectively preventing corrosion on large structures.

De Nora is a pioneer in ICCP solutions, producing durable MMO anodes such as the LIDA® and ELGARD® brands. LIDA anodes are designed and manufactured for traditional cathodic protection, and Elgard anodes for steel-reinforced concrete cathodic protection. Unlike traditional soluble anodes that degrade over time, De Nora’s MMO anodes are engineered to be highly efficient and resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for long-term installations in harsh environments.

About De Nora’s Solutions

Mixed metal oxide technology was developed in the 1980’s and De Nora brought it to the industry with LIDA and ELGARD. More than 3000 square kilometers (more than 500,000 anodes) of LIDA anodes have been installed in over 30 countries worldwide in various applications, such as soil, water, concrete, and sand.
ELGARD anodes are suited for:

Parking garages
Bridge decks and roads
Monuments
Wharfs and pier structures

LIDA anodes are ideal for the corrosion prevention of:

Pipelines
Above ground and underground storage tanks
Locks, dams, and water boxes
Offshore structures

De Nora takes pride in meeting or exceeding the global NACE (AMPP) standards for MMO anodes. We do not compromise our quality, and we continue to perform Accelerated Life Tests (ALT) to make sure we meet or exceed industry standards.

De Nora’s MMO anodes are not only economical for the longevity of the structure, but they are non-hazardous and could lower your carbon footprint. Our MMO anodes weigh a fraction of what other ICCP anodes weigh (graphite or silicon iron), which means they are easier to transport and install, thus reducing operational costs. They will also significantly outlast galvanic (sacrificial anodes) such as zinc, magnesium or aluminum.

De Nora’s Solutions in Action

You will find LIDA and ELGARD anodes in some of the most recognizable concrete structures in the world such as the Syndey Opera house, and Christ the Redeemer stature in Brazil. In addition to these famous monuments, you can find Lida and Elgard anodes on bridges, buildings, roadways, other structures around the world. Mixed metal oxide anodes will continue to be the silent and invisible corrosion protectors for decades to come.

Conclusion
Corrosion is an unavoidable challenge for metal structures, but its damaging effects can be mitigated with cathodic protection. De Nora’s innovative approach to corrosion prevention using MMO anodes and ICCP technology ensures the longevity of critical infrastructure across multiple industries. LIDA and ELGARD anodes have been protecting structures for over 40 years and will continue to protect structures into the future.

As industries continue to prioritize sustainability and cost-effective maintenance, De Nora remains at the forefront of corrosion protection, providing solutions that last.