“How do we keep our box coolers free of fouling so that their cooling capacity and efficiency remain optimal?”
The Problem
Fouling on box coolers is a creeping but serious problem. As marine organisms attach themselves to the cooling surfaces, heat transfer decreases and overall cooling capacity drops. The result is a system that has to work harder to achieve the same result, with an increased risk of overheating, reduced reliability, and ultimately costly downtime. Furthermore, because box coolers are located below the waterline, fouling is difficult to inspect and clean, meaning the problem is often not noticed until performance has already noticeably declined.
The solution
An ultrasonic antifouling system has been installed to prevent marine growth on the box coolers, thereby maintaining optimal heat transfer. By preventing fouling as soon as it begins to form, the cooling surfaces remain clean and the system retains its full cooling capacity, without the need for manual cleaning or diving. The system proved to be effective over the long term: after three years of operational use, a dive inspection confirmed that the coolers had remained visibly cleaner and free of significant fouling.
