Barnacle control in seawater cooling on a car carrier
Barnacle control in seawater cooling had failed on Main Cooling System #2 aboard a car carrier, where a large barnacle population covered the cooling plates. Seawater flow was reduced and cooling efficiency was falling. The particle filter was covered with attached barnacles too, and manual scrubbing to clear it was damaging the filter. In 2011 a HydroFLOW® Marine Custom 12 inch unit was fitted to the system’s seawater feed pipe. At inspection the barnacles were gone from the plates and the filter, only a thin, easily removed slime layer remained, and seawater flow was restored, all without chemicals.
The Challenges
- Barnacle control in seawater cooling was failing, with a large population on the cooling plates
- Reduced seawater flow was lowering cooling efficiency
- The particle filter was covered with attached barnacles
- Manual scrubbing to clear the filter was damaging it
- Chemical dosing was not a practical option on the vessel
The Solution
- Unit installed: One HydroFLOW® Marine Custom 12 inch unit
- Installation point: seawater feed pipe, Main Cooling System #2
- Previous treatment: manual scrubbing of the particle filter
To restore barnacle control in seawater cooling without chemicals or scrubbing, the unit was fitted to the seawater feed pipe that supplies Main Cooling System #2. The signal disrupts the conditions that allow marine life to attach and grow. The result was judged at inspection, on the cooling plates, the particle filter and the seawater flow through the system.
