Fusion of Biocide and Hydrogel-based Technologies Impact on Biofouling Prevention

摘要

Environmental protection concerns continue to drive the coatings industry to seek innovative and efficientrnsolutions to problems that arise from biofouling on ship-hulls. Fouling Release coatings have historicallyrnbeen biocide-free due to a very limited effect of the biocides. This paper describes the introduction ofrnbiocides with hydrogel into Fouling Release technology. . By fusing hydrogel-based Fouling Releaserntechnology with less than 5%w of the biocides used in conventional antifouling coatings, an antifoulingrnperformance exceeding that of conventional antifouling coatings, as well as state of the art FoulingrnRelease coatings has been achieved. It is shown that the biocide release rate from the new technologyrndoes not depend on speed for velocities ranging between 0.2 and 20 knots (0.37 – 37 km/h). However,rnat increasing temperatures, the biocide release rate increases, thereby matching the increase in foulingrnpressure. Taking together, the very long-term antifouling performance of the biocide-activated hydrogel,rnthe fuel-efficiency of the binder system, the efficient utilization of biocides even at high speeds and lowrntemperature, it is concluded the technology described here is both the most efficient and environmentallyrnfriendly Fouling Control coating available.