Intakematic
Marine Bio-Fouling
Seawater is used to cool machinery and plant on board all types of marine vessels. It is also used in petro-chemical plants, power stations and other land-based industries, where there is access to the ocean.
Whilst there is a benefit in this supply of free cooling agent, it comes at a price. The larvae forms of primary marine life such as barnacles and mussels enter seawater intakes, settle on internal surfaces and develop causing bio-fouling.
Where bio-fouling exists, corrosion is accelerated, even on highly resistant surfaces. The reduced water flow resulting from blocked pipe work can cause excessive wear, overheating and inefficiency throughout the system.
How Intakematic Systems Work
Sea life is deterred from settling in environments where the natural level of copper is increased. The electrolytic intakematic system releases a controlled amount of copper ions into the sea water to deter such settlement on pipes and cooler surfaces. The actual concentration of copper ions is extremely small and measured in micro grams per litre of sea water.
INTAKEMATIC has a fully automated control system supplying d.c current to alloyed anodes installed in the seawater intake or sea chest. It is a dual system, tackling both bio-fouling and corrosion:
- Copper ions released from the copper alloyed anodes prevent the survival of microscopic marine life which would otherwise foul the cooling system
- Ferrous or aluminium ions released from the second ferrous or aluminium alloyed anode rebuild and repair areas where protective oxides have worn away or are being damaged.
Intakematic Benefit
- Fully automatic system requiring minimal supervision by ship's staff
- Increases the life expectancy of pipes and auxiliary equipment by up to 40%
- Protects major plant parts
- Extends the life expectancy of important machinery
- Keeps cooling systems completely clear of marine bio fouling
Optimises the performance of vital systems like air conditioning, engine cooling and fire fighting
Installation & Maintenance
Intakematic's control panel has a modular design feeding a low d.c. current to each of the pair of anodes to accurately control the relase of amterials into the water flow. The control panel has a L.E.D. digital display to monitor all the separate anode currents.
The system also has the unique feature available of being able to sense a pumping shut-down and enact 'trickle mode', avoiding overdosing and extending anode life.
Both these designs mean that the optimum level of protection is supplies at all times.
The anodes are supplied with sleeves for mounting in a ship's sea chest during dry-docking. Flang mounted anodes can be installed internally. Where a system is installed between dry docking, we recommend fitting the anodes into the seawater strainers, which also makes replacement easier.
Control panel parts are designed to be simply 'plug-in and replace', making Intakematic one of the simplest and most efficient anti-fouling systems available.
