Although modern hull coatings can provide some protection against corrosion they seldom offer a complete solution. For this reason, most operators choose to protect their vessels with a purpose designed in impressed current cathodic protection system.

K.C. system is based on the electrolytic principle and consists of copper, aluminium and ferrous anodes which are fed with an impressed electrical current from a control panel. (For chlorination system, please refer to the following page which you can find by clicking “Chlorination System” on the left side of this page)
The anode are usually mounted in pairs in the ship’s sea chest or strainer where they are in direct contact with the flow of water entering the seawater lines. Also the anodes can be mounted on independent treatment tank for other convenience.
In operation, the copper anode produces ions which are transported by the seawater and carried into the pipework system and equipment beyond.
Although the concentrations of copper in solution are extremely small i.e. less than 2 parts per billion they are sufficient to prevent marine life from setting and multiplying.
At the same time, the slow dissolution of the aluminium / ferrous anode produces ions which spread throughout the system and produce an anti-corrosive layer on the internal surface of pipes.

In this way, the anti-fouling system gives complete and continuous protection to pipework, valves and condensers as well as vital firefighting equipment, refrigeration and air conditioning unit.