System Impressed Current Anti Fouling (ICAF) against micro fouling (Bacteria) on ship's cooling system

Abstract

Bio-fouling is the attachment and accumulation of an organism or micro-organism to a material. Bio-fouling is one of the causes of declining performance and quality in a system of structures, especially structures that have a direct relationship with the waters where the bio-fouling live and move. The research was conducting using a simple circuit that represents Impressed Current Anti Fouling (ICAF) system which is generally located on the cooling of the ship against micro-fouling or bacteria. Species of bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) in the marine environment was used as an object. The bacteria were introduced into the reactor containing the cathode and anode of this simple system, with inputs of experimental time variation of 3, 5 and 7 minutes and electrical current variation of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 Ampere. The determination of bacteria population was conducted using standard plate count methods. The results showed that ICAF system can reduce the bacteria populations. The largest percentage of Pseudomonas fluorescens reduction was 99.9%, while the smallest percentage showed 98.5% percentage. In conclusion, the simple of ICAF system can be used to prevent appearance of micro-fouling in marine environment.