New Hull Coatings for Ships Cut Fuel Use, Protect Environment
New hull coatings being developed by the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR) are showing promise in reducing the build-up of marine crustaceans – namely barnacles – on ships´ hulls, optimizing vessel performance and dramatically reducing fuel costs.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center estimates that biofouling reduces vessel speed by up to 10 percent. Vessels can require as much as a 40 percent increase in fuel consumption to counter the added drag. For the Navy, that translates into roughly $1 billion dollars annually in extra fuel costs and maintenance to keep its ships free of barnacles, algae and other debris.
For the coating, researchers are currently looking at two non-toxic substances. The first one combines texture and antimicrobial properties to repel microorganisms. The other, a mixed-charge compound, would prohibit proteins and cells from binding to a ship’s exterior.
Marine growth adds weight and increases drag reducing a vessel´s fuel efficiency – not good in an era of soaring fuel costs. This increases fuel consumption and green house gas emissions. ONR-sponsored biofouling prevention coatings provide an environmentally safe alternative for protecting naval ship hulls, which could also benefit the commercial shipping industry.
High-performance naval warships and submarines rely on critical design factors such as top speed, acceleration and hydroacoustic stealth. Previous biofouling prevention methods used toxic coatings, or biocides, to clear barnacle colonies from the ship exteriors. Although effective in the short-term, biocides exact a heavy environmental burden.
By studying the environment, researchers are learning from nature how it beats the “crusty fouler” naturally.
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