Recirculating Electrolytic Biocide Generation for Watercraft Biofouling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing on-board water systems of watercraft suffer from biofouling, leading to equipment inefficiency and costly downtime due to marine growth, requiring expensive and hazardous acid cleaning, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A self-treating biocide generating system that uses electrolytic modules to continuously or intermittently produce biocide, treating both downstream and upstream components of the water system, reducing the need for acid cleaning and preventing biofouling through purging and maintenance modes, with optional secondary strainers to manage debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acid cleaning is used to remove biofouling, then marine growth is eliminated, but the process becomes expensive, time-consuming, and hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment performanceVSAvoiddowntime for cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically generating biocide through electrolysis of saltwater within the water system itself. The electrolytic cell continuously produces hypochlorous acid and other biocidal substances that prevent and eliminate biofouling without external intervention, making the system self-maintaining and eliminating scheduled downtime for manual cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/chemical process of acid cleaning with an electrochemical system. Instead of manually applying and circulating acid solutions through the water system, electrolytic electrodes generate biocidal substances in-situ through electrical current, substituting a hazardous chemical process with a controlled electrochemical reaction that is safer and more efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If acid cleaning is performed periodically, then biofouling is removed, but hazardous chemicals must be handled and applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment performanceVSAvoidhazardous chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the hazardous chemical acid cleaning process with an electrochemical system. Electrolytic electrodes generate biocidal substances in-situ through electrical current, substituting a hazardous chemical process with a controlled electrochemical reaction that is safer and more efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the chemical parameters by generating biocidal substances with different properties than traditional acids. Through electrolysis, hypochlorous acid and other biocides are produced that are effective against biofouling but less hazardous to handle, with the ability to adjust concentration and generation rate based on system needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If recirculation is added to treat upstream components, then biofouling prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofouling preventionVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recirculation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes biocide to upstream components that would otherwise be untreated, maintains consistent biocide concentration throughout the entire water system, and provides a means to control and monitor biocide distribution. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by significantly improving overall system protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively inhibits biofouling, maintaining equipment performance with minimal downtime by continuously treating water components, reducing the frequency of acid cleaning, and managing debris to prevent system damage.

Implementation Method 1

an electrolytic cell having a chamber defined by a housing, the electrolytic cell including an electrode arrangement adapted to generate biocide in water flowing through the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS12384702B2Self-treating electrolytic biocide generating system with recirculation

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 ELECTROSEA LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a biocide generating system for inhibiting bio-fouling within a water system of a watercraft. The water system is configured to draw water from a body of water on which the watercraft is supported. The biocide generating system includes an electrode arrangement adapted to be incorporated as part of an electrolytic cell through which the water of the water system flows. The water system is configured such that biocide treated water also flows to one or more components of the water system that are positioned upstream of the electrode arrangement.