Recirculating Electrolytic Biocide Treatment for Upstream Biofouling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board water systems in watercraft suffer from biofouling due to marine growth, leading to inefficient operation and costly downtime, with current solutions like acid cleaning being time-consuming and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A self-treating biocide generating system that uses electrolytic modules to produce biocide in situ, treating both downstream and upstream components of the water system, operating in cleaning and maintenance modes to inhibit biofouling, and optionally using a secondary strainer to manage debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acid cleaning is used to address bio-growth in on-board water systems, then biofouling is removed, but the process becomes expensive, time-consuming, and involves hazardous chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically generating biocide on-demand through electrolysis of seawater, eliminating the need for manual acid cleaning operations. The biocide generation system continuously or periodically produces active chlorine species that prevent and remove biofouling without human intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective biofouling removal and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical acid cleaning process with an electrochemical biocide generation system. Instead of using hazardous acids mechanically applied during maintenance shutdowns, the system uses electricity to electrolyze seawater and generate biocides in situ, transforming a manual chemical process into an automated electrochemical one that operates during normal system function.
2Reliability
If acid cleaning is used to address bio-growth in on-board water systems, then biofouling is removed, but hazardous chemicals are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the chemical parameters by generating biocides through electrolysis of seawater, producing active chlorine species (hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite) instead of using pre-manufactured hazardous acids. This parameter change transforms the chemical composition from dangerous concentrated acids to safer in-situ generated biocides that are effective against biofouling but less hazardous to handle and dispose of.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the naturally occurring salt in seawater, which can contribute to corrosion, into a beneficial resource by electrolyzing it to produce biocides. The chloride ions in seawater, which could be harmful, are transformed through electrochemical reaction into active chlorine species that actively combat biofouling, turning a potential harm into a protective benefit.
3Reliability
If periodic acid cleaning is performed, then biofouling is removed, but equipment downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The biocide generation system enables continuous or near-continuous protection against biofouling by continuously or periodically generating biocides in the water loop. This continuous action prevents biofouling accumulation during normal operation, eliminating the need for periodic shutdowns for cleaning, thereby maintaining equipment productivity while ensuring reliable biofouling control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously generating biocides that prevent biofouling before it can significantly accumulate and cause problems. This proactive approach eliminates the need for reactive periodic cleaning shutdowns, as the biocide is already present in the water to inhibit bio-growth in real-time, maintaining equipment operational continuity.
4Ease of operation
If electrolytic modules are added to generate biocide in situ, then acid cleaning is eliminated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic modules serve multiple functions: they generate biocides for biofouling control, and can potentially serve as part of the water treatment system. By integrating these modules into existing water loops and utilizing the naturally present seawater as electrolyte, the system adds functionality without requiring separate complex infrastructure, thereby reducing the net increase in system complexity while significantly improving ease of operation.
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 reduces the need for acid cleaning, maintains equipment performance, and prevents biofouling, minimizing downtime and chemical hazards while ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell having an electrode arrangement adapted to generate biocide in water flowing through the electrolytic cell
Data Source
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.