Special anode electrodes Anti-fouling for marine organisms & cathodic protection of ship bodies / pipelines

I. Core Functions

1. Marine Organism Adhesion Prevention: Effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of marine organisms such as seaweed, shells and barnacles, avoiding blockage of sea chests, main seawater pipes, condensers and cooling pipelines, and ensuring the smooth circulation of seawater system with an antifouling efficiency of over 95%.
2. Cathodic Protection of Hull and Pipelines: Prevent electrochemical corrosion of hull plates, seawater pipelines, valves and other metal components caused by seawater, reduce the corrosion rate to less than 0.03mm/year, and extend the service life of marine equipment significantly.

II. Detailed Working Principle

1. Antifouling Principle (Copper Electrode Electrolyzing to Release Copper Ions)

• Under the action of low-voltage direct current, the high-purity copper electrode undergoes slow electrolysis reaction, continuously releasing copper ions (Cu²⁺) into the seawater;
• The released copper ions are evenly distributed to the entire seawater system along with the circulating seawater, including sea chests, main seawater pipes, condensers, cooling pipelines and other key components;
• Trace copper ions have a significant toxic inhibitory effect on marine organisms such as algae, shellfish and their larvae, which can effectively prevent their adhesion and reproduction on the inner wall of pipelines without causing damage to the pipeline structure;
• The concentration of copper ions released is strictly controlled at an extremely low level (only 2ppb), which is environmentally friendly, will not pollute the marine environment, and will not cause damage to the ship's equipment and hull materials.

2. Anticorrosion Principle (Aluminum/Zinc Anode Cathodic Protection)

• The chemical activity of aluminum and zinc metals is much higher than that of carbon steel, hull plates, pipeline cast iron and other common marine metal materials;
• In the seawater electrolyte environment, aluminum and zinc anodes, as more active metals, will undergo preferential automatic corrosion and sacrifice themselves, generating aluminum hydroxide colloid which forms a protective film on the inner surface of the pipeline;
• Through the sacrificial reaction of aluminum/zinc anodes, the hull, seawater pipelines, sea chests and other metal components are converted into cathodes, fundamentally avoiding electrochemical corrosion caused by the potential difference between different metals;
• Cooperating with the impressed weak current of the system, it forms a composite anticorrosion mode of "impressed current + sacrificial anode", which further improves the anticorrosion effect and adapts to harsh marine environments such as high salinity and tropical seas.

III. Complete Working Logic of the System

1. The control system provides stable and constant low-voltage direct current for the electrodes, with adjustable current and voltage, which can be flexibly adjusted according to the seawater salinity and working conditions, ensuring the stable operation of the system;
2. The copper electrode undergoes electrolysis reaction under the action of direct current, continuously releasing copper ions. The copper ions circulate with the seawater to inhibit the growth of marine organisms, achieving the effects of antifouling and anti-clogging, and ensuring the smooth flow of the seawater system;
3. Aluminum/zinc sacrificial anodes conduct sacrificial ionization in seawater, forming a protective film on the surface of the hull and pipelines, providing effective cathodic protection and preventing seawater corrosion;
4. The electrodes (copper electrodes, aluminum/zinc anodes) will be slowly consumed during the working process. They need to be regularly inspected and replaced according to the service cycle to ensure that the antifouling and anticorrosion functions of the system are always in the best state, and the marine seawater system is kept unobstructed, corrosion-free and free from marine organism fouling all year round.

IV. Summary