Anti-fouling

Anti-fouling
Anti-fouling is the process of eliminating obstructive organisms from essential components of seawater systems. Depending on the nature and location of marine growth, this process is performed in a number of different ways:
· Marine organisms may grow and attach to the surfaces of the outboard suction inlets used to obtain water for cooling systems. Electro-chlorination involves running high electrical current through sea water, altering the water’s chemical composition to create sodium hypochlorite , purging any bio-matter.
· An electrolytic method of anti-fouling involves running electrical current through two anodes (Scardino, 2009). [17] These anodes typically consist of copper and aluminum (or alternatively, iron ). The first metal, copper anode , releases its ion into the water, creating an environment that is too toxic for bio-matter. The second metal, aluminum, coats the inside of the pipes to prevent corrosion.
· Other forms of marine growth such as mussels and algae may attach themselves to the bottom of a ship's hull. This growth interferes with the smoothness and uniformity of the ship’s hull, causing the ship to have a less hydrodynamic shape that causes it to be slower and less fuel-efficient. [18] Marine growth on the hull can be remedied by using special paint that prevents the growth of such organisms.