One of the most recent installations in the UK is on board the suction dredger Britannia Beaver operated by Britannia Aggregates Ltd. Cathelco have supplied an anti-fouling and corrosion suppression system to protect three seachests with flow rates in the region of 1,100m 3per hour.

Typically, Cathelco systems have copper and aluminium anodes which are either mounted in the ship's seachests or strainers and supplied with an electric current from a control panel.

The copper anode produces ions which are carried throughout the system by the flow of seawater, creating an environment where barnacles and mussels cannot settle or breed. At the same time, a hydroxide floc is produced which builds up on the internal surfaces of pipes to create an anti-corrosive layer. In this way, pipework systems are completely and continuously protected against bio-fouling and corrosion.

The Cathelco system can be fitted at any time in the life of vessels ranging in size from tugs to VLCCs. It is claimed the cost is recovered within three years through reductions in manual pipework cleaning and maintenance.

MJ Information No: 17932