GB2207912A - Marine biofouling reduction - Google Patents
Marine biofouling reduction Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2207912A GB2207912A GB08811713A GB8811713A GB2207912A GB 2207912 A GB2207912 A GB 2207912A GB 08811713 A GB08811713 A GB 08811713A GB 8811713 A GB8811713 A GB 8811713A GB 2207912 A GB2207912 A GB 2207912A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- copper
- ions
- release
- sea water
- electrode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 title description 5
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- -1 chlorine ions Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- JPVYNHNXODAKFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cu2+ Chemical compound [Cu+2] JPVYNHNXODAKFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229910001431 copper ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000003115 biocidal effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910000563 Arsenical copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007772 electrode material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 230000002195 synergetic effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium oxide Chemical compound [Mg]=O CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000036982 action potential Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 2
- 210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000005036 nerve Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- KZBUYRJDOAKODT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine Chemical compound ClCl KZBUYRJDOAKODT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002301 combined effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010612 desalination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000036039 immunity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000395 magnesium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002574 poison Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 231100000572 poisoning Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000000607 poisoning effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001235 sensitizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B59/00—Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels
- B63B59/04—Preventing hull fouling
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
- Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)
Abstract
Marine biofouling of structures in contact with seawater is prevented by the simultaneous release into the seawater of copper and chlorine ions and which cooperate in a synergistic manner to provide an unexpected and unpredictable enhancement of the biocidal effect on marine organisms over and above the effect that could be predicted from the separate use of copper ions and chlorine ions.
Description
MARINE BIOFOULING REDUCTION
This invention relates to marine biofouling reduction.
There are a number of on-shore and off-shore installations, that utilise sea water either as a substance to be processed e.g. in desalination plants and in the production of sea water magnesia, or in cooling systems in, e.g. power stations or the like. In such usages, large volumes of sea water are drawn through the system. One effect of the intake of large volumes of sea water is an inevitable fouling of the system, in one or both of two forms. Thus, there is marine biofouling caused by the attachment of macroorganisms and microorganisms to the walls of the pipework of the system. If left unattended the build-up of such biofouling organisms can obstruct or even block the system, and to close down the system and clean the affected pipework is expensive and timeconsuming.In addition to this there is socalled corrosion fouling where the surface of the material of the pipework or the like itself reacts with substances in the sea water producing either a deposit on or the direct degradation of the surface. Both types of fouling are closely interrelated as microbial biofouling almost invariably leads to corrosion fouling, a phenomenon generally known as microbially induced corrosion.
Similar considerations apply to sea water systems on board ships and to ships hulls and off-shore structures such as oilrigs in permanent contact with sea water.
Fouling as is mentioned above constitutes a major economic problem it being currently estimated that the cost to the world's petrochemical industry alone exceeds 1.4 billion, caused by such items as energy losses due to increased frictional resistance to the passage of water, increased heat transfer resistance, the provision of excess surface areas in heat transfer equipment to compensate for losses, premature replacement due to fouling, loss of power and production due to down time, and the provision for and rectification of safety hazards caused by corrosion failure in such items as heat exchange and associated equipment.
In an attempt to reduce the degree of marine biofouling, it is known to provide a copper electrode at the sea water intake of an installation or e.g., the intake of a cooling system of a ship, or on the surface of a structure sited in sea water, to which a DC current is applied. This causes the release of copper ions into the sea water to poison the marine biofouling organisms. However, micro-biofouling organisms are able to produce an outer skin to provide a degree of immunity to poisoning, and there is the progressive loss of electrode material.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a more effective method of reducing marine biofouling and associated corrosion fouling of sea water systems and on the hulls of ships and exteriors of oil rigs or other offshore installations.
According to the present invention a method of preventing marine biofouling of structures in contact with sea water comprises
simultaneously releasing copper ions and chlorine ions into the seawater to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
The effect of releasing copper ions and chlorine ions simultaneously is that they cooperate in an unexpected synergistic manner to provide a biocidal effect on marine organisms that is considerably greater than the effect that could have been predicted from the separate use of copper ions and chlorine ions.
Preferably, the generation of copper and chlorine ions is achieved by strategically positioning on the structure appropriate electrodes, e.g., at the inlet to a sea water system, or spaced along the surface of a structure, and applying an appropriate current to the electrodes.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of preventing marine biofouling and associated corrosion fouling of structures in contact with sea water comprises generating across the structure a combination of alternating and direct currents between two strategically located electrodes whereby to release into the sea water around or within the structure controlled amounts of chlorine ions and copper ions to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
In addition it is preferred to provide a third electrode for the simultaneous release of aluminium ions and which elevates considerably the alkalinity of- the sea water to a level that further enhances the biocidal action of the copper and chlorine ions.
Micro-organisms are able to produce a skin to resist any acidity in the sea water, or to resist any pollutants such as copper. But such organisms are highly sensitive to any alkalinity, and by ensuring that it is relatively high within a system or around a structure, the effectiveness in the combined effect of chlorine and copper ions is greatly increased.
The electric field generated by the AC current is adjusted so as to disrupt the settling behaviour but not be at a sufficient high level to cause the death of organisms.
At this general level there is believed to be a sufficient disruption of the action potentials at the nerve/muscle interfaces to assist in preventing the organisms from adhering to the walls of the system and to make them even more sensitive to the biocidal effect of the simultaneous presence of copper and chlorine ions.
The electrodes for an appropriate current generating means for the invention can be selected from a number of usable materials e.g. copper or arsenical copper for the release of copper ions, platinised titanium for the release of chlorine ions and when present aluminium for the release of aluminium ions. In a DC only system DC current is applied to each electrode in controlled manner and whereby to provide a required level of copper ions and chlorine ions with minimum erosion of the electrodes. In a combined
AC/DC system the AC and DC current is applied to the copper electrode and the DC current applied to the platinised titanium and aluminium electrodes.Thus, a relatively high AC current can be applied to the copper electrode for its electric shocking effect, and a lower DC current applied to the copper electrode for the release of copper ions, and when there is the maximising of the disturbance of the marine biofouling organisms, with a predictable erosion of the electrodes, at a lower level than when a DC
system alone is employed which consequently have a considerable useful life, and by careful control of current there are only small amounts of hydrogen and chlorine gas generated which can be dangerous if they are allowed to build up to any appreciable extent in, e.g. the ducting of a sea water system.
The generation of an electric field between the electrodes produces a current of a density dependent on the electrode type, form, and value of the impressed current, and by the resistance dictated by the salinity of the sea water and the distance between electrodes.
The effect on marine biofouling organisms is believed to be the sensitising of them, making them more sensitive to the combined action of the copper and chlorine ions released into the sea water, thereby enhancing their biocidal effect. Although difficult to quantify it is also believed that there is a disruption of the action potentials at the nerve/muscle interfaces of the organisms that reduces their capability of adhering to the walls of the system.
In a series of experiments to test the effectiveness of the invention, sea water was caused to flow across steelwork at a rate of 1 metre per second and at a volume of 2 to 3 cubic metres per hour and the degree of fouling checked after periods of two months and four months. That degree of fouling was used as a control factor.Simultaneously, sea water was caused to flow across steelwork at the same rates, in one instance with an arsenical copper electrode and a one amp AC generating system, in another instance with a platinised titanium electrode and a one amp DC generating system, in a third instance with an arsenical copper and an aluminium electrode with a 5mA DC system for the copper electrode and a 5mA DC system for the aluminium electrode, and in a fourth instance with an arsenical copper electrode with a 5mA amp DC system, a platinised titanium electrode wiht a .5A DC system and an aluminium electrode with a 25mA DC system.
After two and four months the degrees of fouling were measured and compared, with the following results, the control representing l% fouling
2 months 4 months
Control 188 188 Cu 32.62 88.2
CI 24.28 62.1
Cu+Al 28.52 68.5
Cu+Cl+Al 8.14 25.5
Thus, after two months, the copper/AC system with its electrical shocking reduced fouling to approximately 32% of the fouling in the control system, with substantially no loss of electrode material. After four months, fouling had still been reduced by a significant 22% in comparison with the control.
With the invention, fouling after two months had been reduced to approximately 8% of that of the control, and to approximately 25% of that of the control after four months.
Those other electrodes tested for comparison, whilst showing reductions in fouling in comparison with the control, have significantly higher degrees of fouling in comparison with the second aspect of the invention, and which displayed degrees of fouling reduction at both two months and four months that could not be predicted from the effect of each type of electrode when considered alone.
Claims (7)
1. A method of preventing marine biofouling of structures in contact with sea water comprising simultaneously releasing copper ions and chlorine ions into the seawater to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organi sns.
2. A method as in Claim 1, wherein the release of copper ions and chlorine ions is by the application of a direct current to strategically positioned electrodes of a suitable character, e.g., at the inlet to a sea water system, or spaced along the surface of a structure.
3. A method of preventing marine biofouling and associated corrosion fouling of structures in contact with sea water comprising generating across the structure a combination of alternating and direct currents between strategically located electrodes whereby to release into the sea water around or within the structure controlled amounts of chlorine ions and copper ions to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
4. A method as in Claim 3, wherein a third electrode is provided for the simultaneous release of aluminium ions and which elevates considerably the alkalinity of the sea water to a level that further enhances the biocidal action of the copper and chlorine ions.
5. A method as in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrode materials for the release of copper ions and chlorine ions are of copper or arsenical copper and platinised titanium respectively.
6. A method as in Claim 3 wherein, the electrode masterials are of copper or arsenical copper to which an AC and a DC current is applied for the release of copper ions and platinised titanium to which a DC current is applied for the release of chlorine ions.
7. A method as in Claim 3, wherein the electrode material is aluminium to which a
DC current is applied for the release of aluminium ions.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB878712707A GB8712707D0 (en) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-05-29 | Marine biofouling reduction |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8811713D0 GB8811713D0 (en) | 1988-06-22 |
| GB2207912A true GB2207912A (en) | 1989-02-15 |
Family
ID=10618148
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB878712707A Pending GB8712707D0 (en) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-05-29 | Marine biofouling reduction |
| GB08811713A Pending GB2207912A (en) | 1987-05-29 | 1988-05-18 | Marine biofouling reduction |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB878712707A Pending GB8712707D0 (en) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-05-29 | Marine biofouling reduction |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB8712707D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1996013425A1 (en) * | 1994-11-01 | 1996-05-09 | Synton Oy | Method for inhibition of growth of organisms on faces of constructions submerged in a liquid |
| GB2303316A (en) * | 1995-07-19 | 1997-02-19 | Baker Hughes Ltd | Biofouling reduction |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3241512A (en) * | 1964-02-12 | 1966-03-22 | William G Green | Anti-fouling, barnacles, algae, eliminator |
-
1987
- 1987-05-29 GB GB878712707A patent/GB8712707D0/en active Pending
-
1988
- 1988-05-18 GB GB08811713A patent/GB2207912A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3241512A (en) * | 1964-02-12 | 1966-03-22 | William G Green | Anti-fouling, barnacles, algae, eliminator |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| WO 87/03261 * |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1996013425A1 (en) * | 1994-11-01 | 1996-05-09 | Synton Oy | Method for inhibition of growth of organisms on faces of constructions submerged in a liquid |
| US5868920A (en) * | 1994-11-01 | 1999-02-09 | Synton Oy | Method for inhibition of growth of organisms on faces of constructions submerged in a liquid |
| GB2303316A (en) * | 1995-07-19 | 1997-02-19 | Baker Hughes Ltd | Biofouling reduction |
| GB2303316B (en) * | 1995-07-19 | 1999-06-16 | Baker Hughes Ltd | Biofouling reduction |
| US6183646B1 (en) | 1995-07-19 | 2001-02-06 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Biofouling reduction |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8712707D0 (en) | 1987-07-01 |
| GB8811713D0 (en) | 1988-06-22 |
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