|
Frequently asked questions 2B Sure anti-fouling
1. Is it possible to use the system on boats with aluminium outboard engines?
Our impressed anti-fouling system can be used on boats with aluminium outboard engines, provided that no galvanic couple is present between copper and aluminium.
2. Does the system work on stainless steel?
Our anti-fouling system can be applied on stainless steel boats, see question 1.
3. Does the system interact with other metals?
Due to the test results where we measured the potential we concluded that there is no interference from our system to the drives.
4. Could the copper electrodes increase corrosion on bronze elements?
The electrolytic red copper anodes, part of the anti-fouling system, are not responsible for increasing corrosion on bronze elements as screw propellers, provided that no galvanic couple is present between the copper and bronze elements.
5. Could the copper components increase the wearing down of the
zinc anodes?
Our anti-fouling system has not any effect on the zinc or/and aluminium anodes.
6. Is the copper emitted from 2B Sure anti-fouling the same as copper used in
anti-fouling paint?
Anti-fouling paints are active when leaching rates of copper oxide exceed 10 microgram/cm sq. per day, which means that a surface of 1 m sq. can be kept clean of biological growth by leaching of approximately 30 grams of copper oxide per year. Our anti-fouling system is an automatic electrolytic process for the prevention of fouling by growth of wire type algae, shellfish, mussels etc.
The system is based on the same principle as the use of marine anti-fouling paints where copper pigments are used for provision of a toxic medium.
It is established that cuprous oxide leached from the paints has a strong toxic action on growth as mentioned before. Similar amounts of copper oxide are active in the system. Whereas anti-fouling paints are only active during the period the leaching rate is over the given quantity, but in our anti-fouling system cuprous oxides are formed continuously in controlled amounts and similarly the action against growth and development of most kind of algae and shellfishes is continuous and controlled (0.02 ppm or mg/liter) Note: anti-fouling paint in the start over 0,05 ppm (Cu) and that is not permitted.
It would appear that the use of copper as anodes only could have dangerous consequences. Corrosion cells can be established when dissolved copper is displaced from solution and re-deposited on steel surfaces. However, this possibility does not and cannot occur in the conditions of use since in the first instance the quantities of copper going into solution are negligibly small and secondly this copper does not remain as dissolved copper, but is immediately oxidised to copper oxides which are insoluble.
Both cuprous- and cupric oxides are insoluble so that the amount of copper-ions in water is untraceable.
7. My vessel is located in sweet water, is it proven that the system will not
work here?
In sweet water (river or/and lake) is our anti-fouling system not really active. The conductivity of that so-called electrolyte is much higher than for instance brinish- and seawater. In principle our anti-fouling system can work using a much higher DC-voltage, say over 18 volts, but danger for interference is inevitable, or surface of the copper anodes must be increased with factor compared with our standard sized Cu-anodes. (is too expensive).
8. What is the maximum that the copper ion cloud can cover (in meters)?
The copper ion cloud between the electrodes is about 20 meters (65 feet) in length and approximately 8 meters (26 feet) wide. In seawater there is higher conductivity and a greater protection zone then in fresh water where the cloud may be only 10 meters (33 feet) long and 4 meters (13 feet) wide.
9. What is the power consumption?
Current consumption can be set from 600 mA/hr up to 1 Amp per hour. The system runs on 12V direct (DC) or 100-240 Volt alternative current (AC).
10. Could the anti-fouling system work on solar-energy?
Yes, this is optional. This in combination with a charge regulator and batteries. l
11. If yes, what solar panel do we need to run the anti-fouling system?
A 14 Watt Peak solar panel is sufficient to run the anti-fouling system.
12. How do I have to mount the electrodes?
The electrodes have to be positioned at least 1 meter (3-4 feet) from the hull, underneath the keel. The electrodes have to be positioned at the front (bow) and the back (stern) of the ship, underneath the keel. The electrodes should be fastened to a rope. Do not use a metal chain.
13. I have installed the system but it does not work. Is the system defect or
damaged?
Did you turn the switch on?
Are the cable connections to the rectifier correct?
14. When I have installed the system it will clean my whole ship in a couple of
months? And the present barnacles will fall off?
No it will not clean the ship hull. You first have to clean the ship hull before installing the anti-fouling system. After installing the system it will keep you ship hull free from fouling.
15. What if I have a vessel larger than 20 meters, how can I use the anti-
fouling system on my vessel?
You need two systems in order to prevent your ship from fouling.
Note: a special design can be needed depending on the dimensions of the boat.
16. What maintenance does the system require?
The anti-fouling system requires little maintenance. Only the electrodes need to be replaced after ± 18 months.
17. Does the copper ion cloud damage the environment?
No, when the copper ions have finished their work, they oxidize and therefore they do not pollute the environment.
18. What if the copper ion cloud comes in contact with humans? For example,
what if someone is swimming around a boat that is using the system?
Presence of copper-ions as clouds in contact with humans swimming is absolutely not dangerous (no touches of bronchitis and/or skin).
19. What is the maximum current speed that the system can be effectively
used in?
The anti-fouling system works in salt/brackish/brinish water with little current up to 3 to 5 knots, otherwise the copper ions get flushed away.
20. Is 2B Sure anti-fouling only applicable to vessels?
The system is a portable system for aboard a ship, but it can also be applied and fixed at the harbour’s floor plate in order to protect several ships in one go. Furthermore the system can even be used for buoys and pontoons.
21. What is the lifetime of the electrodes?
± 18 months
22. If the anodes are depleted, should the control unit go into a fault or alarm
mode?
The control unit will go into the alarm mode
23. Where can I get new electrodes for the anti-fouling system?
Look at www.anti-fouling.com for your local distributor
24. Can I replace the electrodes myself when they are depleted? Is it easy to
do?
Normally spoken the customer can replace the Cu-anodes, including cabling.
|