Cuproban MGPS Overview

The Cuproban Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS) prevents marine growth from accumulating and keeps piping clear of biofouling. It is a cost-effective marine anti-fouling and corrosion control system. It is ideal for use in marine seawater cooling systems. It is used on ships, oil rigs, oil platforms, power stations, and elsewhere.

Without anti-fouling by Cuproban MGPS, marine growth, such as mollusks, barnacles, mussels, algae and slime enter the seawater system and find a spot where temperature, nutrients, pH factor and other environmental conditions are right for settling and breeding. Colonies can quickly develop, resulting in problems such as turbulence, blocked pipes and impaired heat transfer efficiency. In extreme cases, marine growth fouling can become so serious as to completely obstruct the flow of seawater through cooling piping. Blocked pipes can also lead to dangerous situations with fire-fighting equipment. Lesser cooling system complications include overheating, reduced efficiency, increased corrosion, and loss of vessel speed – a serious situation since most vessels demand maximum speed. Cleaning of blocked pipes, or in many cases replacement of complete sections piping, can be a time consuming and expensive problem.

The Cuproban MGPS marine growth prevention & anti-fouling system is electrolytic in action. The system consists of copper and aluminum (or soft iron) anodes strategically located in sea chests or sometimes in-board, but as close to the sea water intake point as possible. One set of anodes is recommended for each sea water service. The anodes are connected to a control panel that feeds a current to the anodes. The resultant ions and floc produced by the anodes is carried by the sea water, spreads through the pipe work and creates an environment that is distinctly unfriendly to the marine life. Any marine life larvae that enter the pipe line will not settle, but will pass right through to discharge. An added benefit is that the aluminum hydroxide floc creates a protective film on the pipelines, thereby significantly reducing pipeline corrosion.

The release of copper ions is extremely small and is measured in micrograms per liter of seawater.

Cuproban MGPS Installation

Sea Chest	Anodes	Control Panel	Control Module

MGPS anodes are preferably installed in a sea chest and secured with specially designed safety caps. Such anodes will have a design life coinciding with dry dock schedules. In-board fitments in the pipeline or in strainers when anodes can be replaced at any time are also possible. The anodes are all wired to one or more common control panels that can also have connections to the pump controlling the water flow.

Cuproban MGPS Features & Benefits

• Simple installation.
• Pressure tested safety caps.
• Reliable, automatic anti-fouling with minimal attention from the crew.
• Complete protection against biofouling.
• Reduced corrosion.
• Minimal power requirements.
• Modular electronic control panel using one module per flow line.
• Easy system expansion by adding modules.
• Unique anode wear indicator feature in control panel tells when anodes need replacement.
• Unique anode save feature controls current to the anode based on there being or not being flow in the pipeline. This considerably increases anode life when flow is intermittent.

How to Order

Contact Farwest Corrosion Control at (310) 532-9524 for product information, configuration assistance and pricing. Or email marine@farwestcorrosion.com