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Paints & Coatings

Weird science

A

s the most widely adopted one part of a vessel could be completely turbines, coatings and hydrodynamics

energy efficiency technology different to bio films from a few metres related activities. The University’s
used by 70% of ship owners away. For example, slime at the hydrodynamics

today, according to a new study by the waterline could have a very different laboratory,

University College London Energy composition to that based at the flat which
Institute*, hull coatings are developing at bottom of the vessel. This diversity is

pace to stay ahead of evolving ocean why the problem is so hard to address.
conditions and meet the growing market International Paint’s chemists take

demand for energy, environmental and vessel samples of slime wherever
operational efficiency. One of the possible to study bio film composition,

toughest challenges for coatings chemists which can vary according to many
is the age-old problem of ‘slime’.
factors, including geographic location,

The shipping industry has a myriad season and vessel operating profiles, as
of current challenges; impending well as the types of coatings applied.

environmental regulations, rising fuel Whereas typical best practice is to go

costs, a continued lack of liquidity, and back to one specific organism to
pressure from charterers scrutinising develop coatings, with bio films being

every element of their supply chains, so diverse, focusing on one target may
slime might not seem like a big deal. result in colonisation from other

However, according to a recent formula
species, so this isn’t an option – adding
to the complexity.
produced by
Michael P. Schultz,

Professor, Department of Naval Developing evolved coatings
Architecture & Ocean Engineering, US technology on a global scale makes

Naval Academy, at today’s bunker prices, collaboration essential, and combining
the effects of slime potentially cost the insights with different academic

shipping industry 44m extra tonnes of institutions multiplies the impact of the includes a
bunker fuel, $28.6bn in additional fuel work. Through its partnerships with towing tank,

costs and an extra 134 million tonnes of Oman University and Newcastle wind wave
ent
m
CO2 emissions every year.
University, International Paint is current tank, U-
ure
continuing its work to develop test Tube and a flow cell So, it really is a significant issue, and eass’
mion
methodologies. For example, working specifically designed to
fundamentally impacts the challenges andent
with Newcastle University’s world test biofouling resistant that are at the top of every owner and ng erv
oriint
renowned School of Marine Science & coatings, has provided operator’s lists. But what is slime? It is a onitce
Technology, International Paint has invaluable data and insights.
complex, varied and dynamic organism mman
of or
been involved in research that has predominantly made up of bacteria and This research resulted in the tieserf
resulted in a deeper understanding of, diatoms. There are thousands of launch of Intersleek1100SR, the unid p
ort an
as well as the development of, scientific individual species in the oceans that can industry’s first biocide free, foul release ppncy
methodologies that define the result in varying slime film thicknesses, fluoropolymer technology that tackles d ocie
aneffi
roughness and drag characteristics of textures, compositions, and surface the market’s age-old ‘slime challenge’.
desgy
ituner
coated surfaces and propellers.
roughness on ships’ hulls. Slime begins Intersleek1100SR delivers macro attof e
to cultivate as soon as the vessel enters The collaboration with Newcastle and micro fouling control with hen
On tatio
the water as bacteria populate the University has also enabled improved static resistance, even in 3,‘lid
substrate and excrete Extracellular International Paint to have access to the warm waters and is suitable for slow 01d va
e, 2an
Polymeric Substances (EPS). EPS is what only cavitation tunnel in the UK – steaming. The movement of the ship uton
makes the surface feel "slimy" to touch.
which offers vital background research through water can release slime that nstitcati
y Itifi
The make-up of marine slime, or and development services to academia builds up during static periods. As a ergden
bio films, is so diverse that samples from
for cavitation, noise, propulsion,
result, vessels can achieve reduced drag,
Ene i
CL d th
*Uan

26 The SHIP Supplier Issue 60 2014