ELTECH LIDA^® Tubular Anode
Manufacture And Quality Control

LIDA^® tubular anodes are available for saltwater, soil, fresh water and mud environments. These titanium activated anodes experience negligible consumption, yet can deliver electrical output higher than traditional anodes such as graphite, and high silicon/chromium cast iron. We will focus on how the LIDA^® tubular strings are prepared and the quality control attendant with their manufacture.

LIDA^® tubular anodes are available in two diameters, 1.6 and 2.5 cm (0.64 and 1.0 inch). Cables utilized in assembling ELTECH LIDA^® strings may consist of the following:

• EPR/CSPE 50:
  A two layered cable consisting of an ethylene-propylene inner layer and a chlorosulphonated polyethlene outer layer. The copper cross section is 50 sq. mm(Awg 1 /0). Only for salt water use.
• EPR/CSPE 16:
  As above with a copper cross section of 16 sq. mm (Awg 6).Only for salt water use.
• PVDF/Polyolefin:
  A two layered cable consisting of a radiation-crosslinked modified PVDF inner layer and a modified polyolefin outer layer. The copper conductor is Awg 6 or Awg 8.

The string assembly procedure may be summarized by the following:
The desired length of cable is pushed through the tubular anode units; each anode will have an anode-to cable electrical connection at the center of the tubular element and two sealing connections, one at each end of the activated titanium tube.

Initially, a section of the cable's sheathing is removed to expose the copper wire. Two silver-plated copper sleeves are fixed over the copper wire. The cable is positioned inside the titanium tube, which is uniformly crimped around the sleeves providing the superior electrical connection. The compression pressure at the
crimp is rated at 50 tons.

Both ends of the tube are sealed by the same proprietary technique. No potting or mastic compounds are used in the seals. Copper, iron, or aluminum rings are interposed between the coated titanium tube and the teeth of the swaging machine in correspondence with the anode-cable connection and seals. These rings prevent the formation of microcracks in those areas where the titanium is subject to intense cold-working.

Quality assurance is of top priority throughout the manufacturing process. Four principal quality control measures are used on components of the ELTECH LIDA^® anode string and its fabrication therein:

1. Acceptability of the tubular anode
Includes certification of compliance of the titanium substrate and analysis verifications of the mixed metal oxide coating

2. Acceptability of the power cable
The cable manufacturer must provide complete certification on all electrical and physical specifications required by ELTECH for LIDA^® string manufacture.

3. Electrical continuity between cable and anode
The electrical continuity between the copper conductor in the power cable and the anode is determined. The anode-cable resistance at the connection must be less than 0.001 ohm. Tracking records are maintained.

4. Hydraulic sealing between cable and anode
Hydraulic sealing between the cable insulating material and the tubular anode must be verified. This involves a pressurized helium source and leak detection verified by means of a mass spectrometer. Tracking records are maintained.

LIDA^® strings are custom-assembled to customer specifications, and delivered ready to install at the jobsite. Anode centralizers can also be factory-included, for further ease of installation. LIDA^® tubular strings involve no field splicing, no heat shrinking. Specialty constructions are possible when required.