The purpose of applying the anti -follicle system is to prevent obstruction in seawater cooling systems, which is caused by the formation of marine organisms mainly barnacles and masses. Removing obstruction is very expensive and time consuming, especially when the whole sections of the pipe requires cleaning or replacement. This phenomenon becomes more and more dangerous when marine valve and other important parts of the affected devices are endangered by floating capability and safety. Any minor obstruction can result in a serious result, the performance of the engines at very high temperatures and significantly increases fuel consumption. This phenomenon is directly imposed on the cost of exploitation and profitability of the float.
The system is based on the electrochemical principle and usually consists of a pair of copper and aluminum anodes mounted in seafares or offshore films and connected to a Control Panel using a cable. In the case of couponicle tubes (containing nickel and copper), an iron anode is used instead of aluminum anode.
In practice, the copper anode produces ions carried by seawater flow and creates an environment where barnacles and masks are unable to deposit and reproduce.
During the sediment period, which lasts about 8 hours, the larvae of the barnacles and masles are highly sensitive to copper presence. By entering copper ions at very low concentrations, about 2 ppb, the anti -folk system stops the continuation of sediment. The larvae pass through the cooling system to the discharge point instead of attaching to the surface of the CCOS, films and sea pipes.
Without the support of the anti -foliage system, the pipes are covered by organisms, leading to minor or general blockage and reducing the efficiency of the seawater cooling system.
The function of copper ions is strengthened by aluminum hydroxide created by aluminum anodes that accumulate the release of copper ions. This aluminum copper-hydroxide mass is heavily transmitted from within the system, resulting in scattering from closed areas with slow motion to the surfaces of the pipes where sea larvae often like to sediment.
As a result, marine larvae do not find sediment and instead pass directly to the discharge point. At the same time, a thin layer of couprooma is made on the internal surfaces of the pipes to stop corrosion. So a dual functioning system protects the sea pipes from moss and corrosion.