Solex delivers heat exchangers for UV-C marine box coolers
Anti-fouling solution combines pillow plate technology with UV radiation, anti-fouling IP
Solex Thermal Science has successfully custom fabricated a new set of heat exchangers that are to be used in Corrosion’s UV-C marine box coolers. Together with Solex, the Netherlands-based Corrosion has developed the coolers as an innovative and environmentally friendly anti-fouling solution for the maritime industry.
Biofouling, also known as marine biofouling, has long challenged the maritime industry. Marine organisms tend to grow on metal surfaces, and when the growth occurs on box coolers there is a reduction in cooling performance.
Left uncleaned, biofouling can lead to decreased efficiency as well as operational and safety issues. Ultimately cleaning is required during dry-dock maintenance. Chemical cleaning of box coolers is common, though this represents significant environmental concerns.
(Continue reading below)
The UV-C box coolers are uniquely designed and to provide a non-chemical alternative method that addresses biofouling within a vessel’s cooling system. They are based on a compact pillow-plate design developed by Solex together with innovative UV-C light technology provided by Corrosion. The UV-C technology is a licensed technology from Phillips.
Situated within the vessel’s sea chests, the box coolers feature an inlet grid that allows the seawater to enter and then pass between a series of parallel pillow plates. Here, the seawater is used to carry away the heat generated from a wide variety of critical vessel systems, such as cooling the main engines, auxiliary engines and bow thrusters to air conditioning and hydraulic systems.
Meanwhile, the UV-C light – or more specifically, ultraviolet light in its C spectrum – is meant to break down marine organisms that are prone to settle on or near the plates. If this is not prevented, fouling of the heat exchanger will occur. This leads to a degradation in heat exchange performance over time.
The configuration of the plates and the UV-C lights is strategic to ensure optimal anti-fouling performance.
The box cooler itself is constructed out of carbon steel and coated with a UV-resistant 2 component epoxy paint. Combined with the use of sacrificial anodes, the materials prevent galvanic corrosion from occurring.
The method of using pillow plates for the heat exchanger is proven to be more effective than tubes. Of note, the plates offer a much larger heat transfer surface and, therefore, the ability to more efficiently cool while providing for a compact design.
Want to learn more about how UV-C box coolers are disrupting the maritime industry? Visit our partner Corrosion’s website for more information.
Also from the blog
The Exchange: Let's talk about waste heat recovery!
The Exchange: Let's talk about foundry sand!
This entry was tagged Cooling, and last updated on 2022-9-12