U.S. Patent Office awards MATCOR fourth corrosion prevention technology patent

• MATCOR designed its new "internal cathodic protection system" to provide greater flexibility and cost-effective, uniform cathodic protection in wastewater pipelines

DOYLESTOWN, PA, March 8, 2007 -- MATCOR, a leading cathodic protection and corrosion prevention engineering design firm, announced today that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has granted patent No. 7,081,187 for a revolutionary new impressed current cathodic protection system. The invention, designed by MATCOR's President and Founder William Schutt, adds to the company's SPLT-Anode product line. The system prevents corrosion in the interior of larger diameter salt and wastewater metallic pipelines, which, because of the chlorides found in these fluids, create a highly corrosive environment. This is the fourth patent assigned to MATCOR, and is the first internal cathodic prevention system to use a custom version of the SPL-Anode, an anode system engineered to inhibit the development of corrosion.

"The 'internal cathodic protection system' expands our capabilities, and exemplifies MATCOR's ability to take on a client's challenge and run with it," says Schutt. "We serviced a need for a client, and developed the technology to solve pipeline corrosion problems that weren't addressed previously. This patent demonstrates what we mean when we say we can take on any challenge anywhere on the globe."

MATCOR's cathodic protection system is a double-ended, flexible anode assembly that is placed inside a pipeline. Each end of the anode assembly has a pressure-seal fitting where the DC electrical power supply is connected. Once the system is installed and energized, it produces a safe, low voltage DC electrical current that stops corrosion. Special monitoring devices ensure corrosion is not occurring.

Schutt designed the system as a linear anode for the internal surfaces of pipelines. Krüger Aquacare of Denmark commissioned MATCOR to develop a solution that could be easily installed, and limit the shutdown time-both critical factors in pipeline projects. The result was the patented internal cathodic prevention system. While other systems use sacrificial or permanent anodes that are heavy, costly, have a limited lifespan, and don't produce enough power to generate a required DC voltage, MATCOR's 'impressed current system' compensates for these deficiencies by providing a transformer rectifier that drives higher voltages. Krüger Aquacare is a division in Krüger that specializes in water-treatment and corrosion. Krüger is owned by Veolia Water, the world leader in water and wastewater services.

Using the internal cathodic protection system, anode assemblies can be as long as 200 feet between entrance fittings, as opposed to other systems that require several probes along the pipeline. With the patent in hand, MATCOR will pursue several other pipeline and mining projects in the United States and worldwide.

With headquarters in Doylestown, PA, MATCOR (www.matcor.com) designs and installs corrosion prevention systems and technology that protects infrastructure, assets and investment worldwide. Operating on six continents, and serving many of the world's largest industrial concerns, the company technology and engineering services are used extensively in the energy, petrochemical, marine, water and wastewater, environmental, pipeline, and utility industries. Its technology and engineering services are deployed worldwide, protecting more than $32 billion of infrastructure.

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