Electrochlorination – Applications In Marine Engineering

Electrochlorination is a high-tech way of managing marine buildup on all forms of in-water appliances. Everything from the dock stations to the boats themselves in a marina are constantly exposed to biological marine life that cause a lot of damage over time.
The damage from marine buildup runs from mild inconvenience to severe mechanical destruction. Using electricity to control marine life can be quite dangerous, however. During the act of destroying marine life with electrical current, low voltage electricity is passed through the water in the area where protection is needed. It is most effective in saltwater or brackish water exist. Marinas in freshwater areas rarely use electricity to control marine life, because even low amounts of electricity are too strong for any human life in the area and also cause excess damage to metal on boats and marina equipment. Even in salt and brackish water ares a single application is rarely enough to keep marine life at bay, so a constant low emission of electricity is required for this solution to be effective.

When used in military or business marinas, electroclorination can be an effective and low cost way to protect all underwater parts. It is used heavily in water intake and discharge areas of manufacturing plants where marine life can clog underwater vents. Electrical currents in the water can destroy algae and small shellfish like mussels that accumulate on underwater metal.
Another use for electrically cleaned water is in purification plants where fresh water is desired with less chlorine and other chemicals. The setup of an electric marine life control system requires a marine engineer that knows how to effectively and safely built it. Such systems are more difficult to safely construct in public areas and not a cost effective situation for even busy marinas. They are not safe in areas where children may jump in the water. Freshwater marinas must also choose a safer alternative for the control of marine growth. Mobility Oil and Gas provides comprehensive services to the oil and gas industry. We develop and deliver oil and gas training courses which are designed for both technical and non technical staff.
A much better way to protect valuable boat hardware and other marina equipment that is underwater is to make sure they are covered by anodes. They are easy to install and a very cost effective means of controlling marine buildup. There are several types of metal anodes that work best for each particular situation. All of them can be found easily at engineering services like www.cathodicme.com online. A few minutes replacing worn out anodes on any boat or equipment that is underwater will keep it in good condition and working properly.
Matthew J. writes for www.cathodicme.com, a leader in cathodic protection and marine growth prevention system.