Anode Rod Problems We wanted to know more about rust before we modified the rod. The picture on the right shows what an eroded anode rod looks like when you don't replace it. The first problem you can expect to encounter with a bad anode rod is the rusting of your water heater. If your water heater rusts you will most likely need to replace it, which will cost you much more than replacing an anode rod. Another problem you may encounter is having the anode rod break off and fall to the bottom of your water heater. The broken off rod will bounce around in the water heater anytime water passes through it, which will destroy the lining of the water heater very quickly. This creates cracks in the glass lining of the water heater which will drastically shorten your water heater's life. There is no question, failure to replace your anode rods in a timely fashion, will shorten your water heater's life. What the Rod is Made Of When the tank is filled with water, the rod corrodes away to protect the exposed steel of the water heater. This process is called electrolysis, which is the chemical decomposition produced by passing an electric current through a liquid or solution containing ions. The anode rod is a safety precaution.After a while the rust will have corroded the entire rod. The rod is usually 51 inches. Anode rods tend to cause a repulsive smell due to sulfuric reactions with the sacrificial magnesium/aluminum rods. It creates hydrogen sulfide gas which makes a distinctive smell that usually means your rod has been corroded. Why Use An Anode Rod? The reason we put anodes rods in our water heaters is so that the rust attacks the magnesium rod, which is more corrosive than the steel tank. The rust attacks the sacrificial rod, and expands the heater’s life nearly indefinitely, as long as you change the rod.
0 Comments
We cut open the water heater and saw how much rust was formed inside the water heater. So we decided to look on how rust was formed. Rust is a reaction from oxygen and iron in the presence of water/air moisture. Rust can be very destructive when not attended to. It leads to leaks in your water heater and destroys the internal surface. Once a anode rods is used up, the rust targets the next metal to corrode. Rust tends to target the metal that is easiest to corrode. That is why most anode rods are made of aluminum, zinc , and magnesium. The harder your water is, the more of a sediment build up your water heater will have and eventually, the more of rust you will have. Once sediment builds up at the bottom of your water heater, It can lead to more problems than just rust. Your water heater can waster gas, deteriorates your tank, and ceases to produce enough heat for bacteria to stop surviving.
When cold water comes into the water heater, two components to start corrosion come into play: oxygen and water. The purpose of the magnesium anode rod is to draw away oxygen from the main steel tank, which is why it is called a sacrificial anode rod. The oxygen reacts with the rod, and slowly eats away at it. Once the anode rod has completely eroded, the oxygen is free to attack the steel tank, and starting corrosion.Through researching corrosion and anode rods, we developed our idea. (pick up rust) In this case, after the anode rod eroded, two inches of rust built up. We wanted a system that would warn the client to replace the anode rod when the rod is unable to protect the tank from corrosion.
Research about water heaters:
https://energy.gov/energysaver/selecting-new-water-heater Research about magnesium rods: https://www.aricoplumbing.com/waterheater-anode-rods https://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-does-water-heater-anode-rod-do.htm https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/water-heater/extend-the-life-of-your-water-heater-by-replacing-the-anode-rod/view-all/ http://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/manufacturing_process_equipment/industrial_heaters_heating_elements/water_heaters https://www.watertechonline.com/replacing-anodes-getting-rid-of-odor/ Citations : “Replacing Anodes, Getting Rid of Odor.” Water Technology Online, 15 July 2015, www.watertechonline.com/replacing-anodes-getting-rid-of-odor/. “What Does a Water Heater Anode Rod Do?” Angie's List | Join for FREE to See 10 Million Verified Reviews, 14 June 2016, www.angieslist.com/articles/what-does-water-heater-anode-rod-do.htm. the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. “Extend the Life of Your Water Heater by Replacing the Anode Rod.” Family Handyman, www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/water-heater/extend-the-life-of-your-water-heater-by-replacing-the-anode-rod/view-all/. “Water Heaters Information.” Water Heaters Information | Engineering360, www.globalspec.com/learnmore/manufacturing_process_equipment/industrial_heaters_heating_elements/water_heater |