EN
How MGPS Systems Protect Ship Cooling Water Pipelines
A ship's cooling systems are its heart and soul, dependent on a steady flow of seawater to keep the engine running cool and maximize performance. Yet this life-giving seawater comes with an enduring peril: marine biofouling. Biofouling within pipelines, by organisms such as barnacles, mussels and algae, can greatly hinder a ship's efficiency. An MGPS (Marine Growth Prevention System) is a tailor-made solution that has been designed to safeguard these vital cooling water pipelines from any form of fouling in order to maintain an uninterrupted and effective operation of the vessel.
The Principle of Anti-Fouling Electrolysis
A MGPS works on an established electrochemical principle. Electrodes are generally made of copper and aluminum (or iron) and installed in the seawater intake line or lodging tube. These electrodes emit small, nontoxic amounts of metal ions whenever a controlled electrical current passes through them into the water flow. Copper ions have a great killing power for marine microorganisms, such as algae and bacteria; aluminum/iron tiles function as the flocculant to make tiny particles in the water to glom together so they will be washed away by water flow without adhesion with the pipe walls.
Safeguarding Efficiency and Preventing Blockages
The protective mechanism of the metal ions target the ultimate culprits induced by biofouling. Because the system makes it difficult for larval as well as vegetative settlement to occur, organisms cannot attach and grow within the cooling water distribution piping. Ensuring the clear pipe diameter does not become restricted, softening water flow. Clear passages for heat exchange are a necessity, considering that dirty pipe work serves as an insulating barrier thus causing the operating temperature of main and auxiliary engines to rise, while efficiency drops with rise in fuel consumption. Prevention of blockages is also important for safety, as any cooling system on equipment or emergency fire pumps must be relied upon.
A Vital Service for Vessel Longevity
The Installation and Service of an MGPS is part and parcel of a full marine engineering service. For a firm like Sealong Marine Engineering Group (SME Group), employing hundreds of technical engineers and technicians, having our own work shop facility these services form part of the natural service offerings as an installation, repair and maintenance service provider. Our position is the expert sales and installation of MGPS systems as well as maintenance. This around-the-clock assistance from facilities throughout the world helps operators prevent costly emergency repairs, unplanned downtime and an unfavorably high fuel bill, according to the company which further stated that it directly contributes to protecting the asset value of their vessel and ensuring maximum operational uptime.
Thus, an MGPS offers ship cooling water pipelines proactive and a sustained protection. It achieves such a goal using safe electrochemical treatment to address the expensive and hazardous impact of marine biofouling. When it comes to an organized vessel maintenance routine, you can't do without this system if maintaining top operational efficiency and safeguarding vital machinery is your main priority – just as our comprehensive marine services performed them worldwide.