Ships use seawater for several purposes, and one of the primary functions is cooling the engine and parts of the ship while while sailing. However, as the seawater passes through the various pipes and parts to cool the ship’s engine, marine organisms could deposite along their surface. Biological marine fouling (biofouling) happens when intrusive marine species settle on hulls, box coolers, seawater intakes and other submerged metal parts. These intrusive species can vary from plants, algae or other animals. With the correct temperature, pH, nutrients and flowrates, fouling takes place extremely fast. This in turn, will create bigger problems like blocked pipes, overheating, slower flowrates, accelerated corrosion and much more. 

To protect and purify the surface of ship’s seawater pipework and mechanical parts, electrolytic antifouling is regarded as the most easy and economical method achieving marine biofouling protection. The main principle of electrolytic antifouling is to produce copper ions in very small concentrations, which is enough to prevent or reduce the marine organisms (mussel and barnacle larvae) to settle and breed. The level of Cu dosing varies to suit location and exposure. For moderate sized seawater systems minimum 2 ppb (2µg/L) Cu concentration should be applied. 

As an dual-action anode, our copper-based antifouling anode functions as both anti-fouling agent and corrosion inhibitor. By using impressed current, the copper antifouling anode slowly dissolve to release copper ions and the area close to the anode will be cathodically protected. The fouling organisms can be inhibited from growing by dosing small quantities of Cu ions into the water with a total anti-fouling effective rate over 95%. 

Our antifouling anodes are available for various kinds of vessels and boats including luxury yachts and pleasure craft. They have been installed on sea chest, strainer, treatment tank, box cooler, etc. The size (diameter and length) of the anodes is determined based on seawater velocity (inlet water debit), design life and consideration of the maintenance or dry docking schedule for the vessels. Standard sizes range from 50mm to 150mm in diameter and 100mm to 2,000mm length.