Author: Inspector. Jose Lopez, July 23, 2023.
Corrosion is a critical problem in marine environments, leading to structural deterioration and increasing maintenance costs for the maritime integrity of vessels. This report explores cutting-edge technical innovations in ship corrosion combat and control to preserve the life of these assets.
These advances include advanced coating technologies, cathodic protection systems, corrosion resistant materials, composite materials, remote monitoring, antifouling innovations, and corrosion resistant electrical systems.
Technological developments to safeguard maritime integrity.
1. Advanced Coating Technologies: Nano coatings and self-healing coatings are some of the cutting-edge technologies used to combat corrosion in the industry.
Nano coatings create a strong barrier against moisture, UV radiation and chemical exposure, while self-healing coatings autonomously repair minor damage, ensuring continuous protection of boats’ surfaces.
2. Cathodic Protection Systems: Cathodic protection involves the use of sacrificial anodes (zinc, aluminum and magnesium) to protect metallic components susceptible to galvanic corrosion. In the marine environment the most used are Mg and Zn.
Advanced systems use electronic monitoring and control to optimize protection and minimize anode waste, achieving more efficient corrosion prevention.
3. Corrosion-resistant materials: The use of these materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloys and cutting-edge polymers, is essential to improve the longevity of boats. These materials exhibit high resistance to corrosive agents present in marine environments.
4. Composite materials: Such as fiberglass reinforced polymer resins, they have gained rapid acceptance in boat building due to their inherent corrosion resistance and lightweight properties. These materials offer a durable alternative to traditional options, reducing the conservation needs of industrial assets.
5. Remote monitoring and predictive maintenance: The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables remote monitoring of critical components, facilitating early detection of corrosive agents that cause material loss on the metal surface or equipment problems.
Predictive maintenance algorithms use real-time data to anticipate potential problems, allowing timely interventions and reducing maintenance costs.
6. Anti-Fouling Innovations: Marine biofilm is a factor affecting marine and coastal environments on ship surfaces. Advances in antifouling coatings and innovations have led to the development of environmentally friendly solutions that prevent the settling of marine organisms without using harmful chemicals.
7. Corrosion Resistant Electrical Systems: The implementation of electrical connectors, terminals and cables resistant to a corrosive environment, together with improved insulation materials, ensures reliable performance and mitigates the risks associated with electricity.
Strategies to minimize corrosive environments and agents.
To combat corrosion and improve surface care on ships, preserving their integrity and extending their useful life, there are several strategies that can be implemented:
Regular Cleaning: Saltwater is highly corrosive and can quickly damage a boat’s metal parts, including the hull, engine, and electrical system. Regularly washing the boat with fresh water after each use helps to remove salt deposits and prevent corrosion.
Applying protective coatings: In the parts most susceptible to this phenomenon, such as the hull, it can be an effective way to prevent and control corrosive agents that attack the surfaces of the ship.
Coatings such as two-component tar epoxy and vinyl tar paint can provide a protective barrier against harmful salts and minerals.
Use Corrosion-Resistant Materials: When choosing accessories and components for their boat, shipowners opt for materials that are durable and resistant to corrosion. Investing in high-quality marine products designed to withstand the marine environment can help prevent wear and tear and extend the life of your boats.
Control humidity: Excess humidity can contribute to the development of rust on a boat. Removing it from the storage area, as well as using a controlled environment or absorbent products, will help keep the boat free of deterioration during storage.
By implementing these strategies, boat owners can effectively combat corrosion, protect their boat’s surfaces, and extend the life of the asset.
The most common causes of corrosion in ships are:
Galvanic: This is an electrochemical reaction between at least two metals, where one of the metals must be more chemically active than the other metals in the area for that reaction to occur.
If two or more dissimilar metals are connected, either by touching each other or through a piece of metal or wire, and/or are immersed together in a conductive solution, they may be subject to galvanic corrosion.
To prevent galvanic corrosion on ships, the following strategies can be implemented:
Install an Isolation Transformer or Electrical Isolator: These devices break the electrical connection between the ship and the shore power, preventing the flow of electrical current that causes galvanic corrosion.
Uniform corrosion: This occurs when molecules on the surface of a metal combine with oxygen, a process called oxidation. Moisture speeds up the chemical reaction.
Confined Spaces: This is mainly caused by water seepage and lack of oxygen around the bolts from overprotecting the boat with anodes.
protection methods
By understanding the causes of corrosion, more appropriate measures can be applied to prevent and control corrosion, extending the useful life of your vessels and thus protecting investments.
Technical innovations in the prevention of corrosion and the maintenance of ship surfaces have advanced significantly in recent times.
For the protection of marine structures, advanced coatings and cathodic protection systems by sacrificial anodes and impressed current are generally used, to the use of corrosion-resistant and composite materials, these technologies offer effective tools to preserve the integrity of ships and extend the usefulness of the ship.
Impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems are a type of corrosion protection method used to safeguard metal structures and pipelines against corrosion.
The advantages of ICCP systems include their ability to provide continuous and adjustable levels of protection, making them suitable for a wide range of structures in different environments. They are especially useful in situations where sacrificial anodes may not be sufficient or practical.
It is important to note that while ICCP systems are effective, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The design and implementation of cathodic protection systems must be carried out by experienced engineers or specialists to ensure that they meet the specific requirements of each application and environment to preserve maritime integrity.
Conclusion
The integration of remote and predictive monitoring improves maintenance practices, reducing costs and improving safety. By embracing these technical advances, shipowners and shipowners can optimize the performance and durability of their vessels in the challenging environment for offshore and offshore environments.
Bibliographic references:
https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/
www.swagelok.com/en/blog/
https://www.clubmarine.com.au/exploreboating/articles/25-4-Salt-assault
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