Cathelco Seawater Pipework Anti-Fouling Systems
Cathelco Seawater Pipework Anti-Fouling Systems
Cathelco Seawater Pipework Anti-Fouling Systems
Cathelco has developed a range of anodes with Detailed drawings are supplied for every ship to assist in
mountings which enable them to be installed in the installation and ensure that the anodes are positioned for
seachests or strainers of almost any type of vessel. maximum effectiveness in the seawater flow.
The size of the anodes is determined by the flow rates The anodes can be installed using a number of mounting
and their anticipated design life, taking into arrangements including steel flanges, steel sleeves, nylon
consideration the scheduled dry docking period. mountings, cofferdams and pipe upstands.
Copper anodes
These are used in the majority of installations to protect steel
pipework against bio-fouling through the creation of copper
ions. Standard sizes range from 60mm to 120mm in diameter
and 100mm to over 1,000mm in length and miniaturised
anodes are available for smaller vessels. The photograph
shows the anode fitted with a flange mounting arrangement.
Aluminium anodes
The purpose of aluminium anodes is to assist in anti-fouling
process through the production of aluminium hydroxides
when protecting steel pipework. They also produce a cupro-
aluminium film which acts as an anti-corrosive layer on the
internal surfaces of pipes. The anode is shown with a weld-in
mounting sleeve.
Ferrous anodes
These are used to protect cupro-nickel pipework which is
commonly found on naval vessels. By producing ferrous ions,
the ‘soft iron’ anode helps to maintain a protective oxide layer
on the internal surfaces of pipes to suppress corrosion. The
anode is shown with a cofferdam arrangement.
Omni anodes
Small and versatile, Omni anodes have been developed for
fitting in the smaller types of strainers found on workboats and
luxury yachts. Designed with integral cathodes, they can be
installed in plastic strainers, pipes and areas where a cathode
does not exist.
Cruise ships
Cruise ships use very high volumes of seawater Reflecting the trend of longer intervals between
with flow rates often exceeding 10,000 cubic drydocking for cruise ships, anode replacement can
metres per hour. be timed at 5 years.
The Cathelco system has the ability to treat these ■■ Multiple anode installations can be used to treat
volumes effectively, whilst providing a number of large flow rates effectively.
other benefits. Systems are generally designed ■■ Complete protection for engine cooling systems
with multiple anode installations to protect high and and ancillary services.
low sea chests serving the engines and ancillary
systems. These may include air conditioning systems, ■■ Dual action – pipework anti-fouling and corrosion
refrigeration systems and fire fighting pumps – all suppression.
essential to the safe and efficient operation of the ■■ Automatic system – makes little demand on crew
vessel. time.
Operating with copper concentrations of just 2 parts ■■ Safe - no chemicals are involved for better crew
per billion, the system can be used to protect the and passenger safety.
inlets for desalination plants, coming well within the
safe requirement of 100 parts per billion. ■■ Environmentally friendly.
As no chemicals are involved, the system is also
environmentally friendly and helps to meet the ‘green’
standards of modern cruise vessels.
Systems for naval vessels
Cathelco seawater pipework anti-fouling systems
are installed on the ships of more than 40 navies
around the world. With their durable construction,
Cathelco control panels are ideally suited to
rigorous demands of the naval sector. This is
combined with a range of anodes to serve the
needs of both surface craft and submarines.
Frigates
Systems on frigates usually involve a combination of
seachest and strainer mounted anodes. As with most
military vessels, the pipework is predominantly cupro-
nickel and therefore pairs of copper and ferrous
anodes are used to provide effective anti-fouling and
corrosion suppression. Standard Cathelco control
panels can be used as they meet the levels of shock
and vibration resistance required by naval authorities.
Recent contracts for frigates and warships include
equipment for the BAM project in Spain, PVO and
BVL projects in Venezuela and the FREMM project
involving the Italian and French Navy.
Submarines
The Cathelco system was originally designed for
use on submarines and the company regularly
supplies anti-fouling equipment for some of the
world’s leading builders of submarines including
Kockums, HDW, TNSW and the Australian Submarine
Corporation. Because of space restrictions within
strainers, installations are usually based on compact
dual purpose anodes. Systems are often specially
designed to meet the exact requirements of particular
classes of submarines.
Aircraft carriers
These installations involve the treatment of large
volumes of seawater using multi-anode installations
serving numerous inlets covering the requirements
of engine cooling water systems, refrigeration, air
conditioning and fire fighting systems. Cathelco have
supplied equipment for the HMS Queen Elizabeth
and HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s two new
65,000 tonne aircraft carriers.
Systems for smaller vessels
By miniaturising control panels and anodes,
Cathelco have brought the benefits of pipework
anti-fouling technology to a wide variety of smaller
craft including offshore supply vessels, workboats,
small ferries and tugs.
Many of these vessels operate continuously
within in-shore waters where there is a
much higher risk of bio-fouling. By fitting a
Cathelco system and eliminating problems
of blockages in seawater lines serving
engine cooling systems, considerable
savings can be made in fuel usage and
maintenance costs.
Mini systems
These systems are ideal for the protection of small
to medium sized vessels where space is limited.
The units can be fitted solely to provide anti-fouling
protection or as dual purpose systems offering the
advantages of corrosion suppression in pipework.
Although the control panels are only a fraction of the
size and weight of standard models, they incorporate
many features including digital displays and built in
alarms.
A complete range of seachest and strainer mounted
anode types is available to protect steel and cupro-
nickel pipework. There are also special dual purpose
anodes – copper/aluminium or copper/ferrous which
can be fitted directly within pipework.
■■ Compact, lightweight control panels for ease of
installation.
■■ Anodes are available for use with plastic strainers.
■■ Control panel to protect 1 seachest or strainer
300mm (height) x 200mm (width) x 120mm
(depth). Weight 5 kgs.
■■ Control panel to protect 2 seachests or strainers
300mm (height) x 300mm (width) x 120mm
(depth). Weight 8kgs.
■■ Anodes with minimum dimensions of 62mm
diameter x 108mm length.
Nano Systems
This system represents the ultimate in
miniaturisation with a control panel designed to fit
into the tightest areas on patrol craft, workboats
and luxury yachts.
Now fitted to hundreds of small craft, Nano systems
provide effective and reliable protection using a
range of very compact anodes which can be fitted in
strainers or small seachests.
In addition to small copper and ferrous anodes
to protect steel or cupro-nickel pipework, special
anodes with integral cathodes are available which
can be fitted within plastic strainers.
■■ Ultra-compact system to protect seawater lines
and ancillary equipment.
■■ Anodes available with integral cathodes for use
with plastic strainers and any type of pipework.
■■ Can be powered from the craft’s battery supply.
■■ Control panel for anodes in 1 or 2 strainers
measures 200mm (height) x 200 (width) x 80mm
depth. Weight 2.5 kgs.
■■ Control panel for anodes in 3 or 4 strainers
measures 300mm (height) x 200 (width) x 80mm
(depth). Weight 3kgs.
■■ Anode sizes from 25mm diameter to 75mm length
Omni Anodes
Small and versatile, Omni anodes are proving their
value in applications where space is limited and
other factors may prohibit the use of standard
anodes.
They are designed with integral cathodes providing a
dedicated earth return and avoiding the risk of ‘stray
current’ corrosion.
Suitable for applications on work boats, fishing
vessels and luxury yachts they combine a number of
advantages.
■■ Can be fitted within plastic strainers.
■■ Can be fitted within pipe upstands.
■■ Overcomes space restrictions in numerous small
craft applications.
ICCP hull corrosion Worldwide Service Network
protection systems Our worldwide network of sales and service centres
can provide immediate advice and assistance on the
complete range of Cathelco products. Agents’ contact
details are available on our website: www.cathelco.com