The Naval Architect April 2009

Hydrogel technology makes smooth entrance

Hempel’s antifouling coating, Hempasil X3 is making an impact among owners of ships operating around the 8knot mark and in service around 50% of the year.

coating, Hempasil X3, has been applied to more than 20 vessels, with, the supplier says, very good results. The product is based on hydrogel

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silicone, which Torben Rasmussen, Hempel group product manager, said was unique in terms of fouling release technology in the industry. Non-reactive silicone polymers are added to the paint, which form a hydrogel micro layer between the paint’s surface and the sea water resulting in enhanced antifouling capability and improved self cleaning potential. “The concept is simple,” said Mr

Rasmussen. “Te super water-absorbent hydrogel forms a polymeric network over the hull. Organisms perceive the hull as a liquid and not a solid surface, and as a result do not try to catch hold. Te hydrogel layer is effectively backed up by silicone, known for its self-cleaning properties. Unlike fouling release coatings that are only partially silicone-based, X3 uses a solid silicone top coating. Its pure silicone composition means Hempasil X3 significantly outperforms conventional fouling release systems in the self-cleaning stakes, especially at low speeds.”

Savings guaranteed Te Hempasil system comes in a package consisting of the paint system, a fuel saving guarantee and a third-party monitoring system. “Tis is the first time that a paint supplier

has offered a complete fouling release package that gives the ship operator a fuel performance monitoring tool and guarantees a fast return on investment based on fuel savings,” said Mr Rasmussen. Hempel guarantees that the foul release system reduces the vessel’s fuel consumption by at least 4%-8% within the first year, depending

The Naval Architect April 2009 33

ntended for slow moving bulk carriers, tankers or cruiseships, to date, Hempel’s third generation Hempasil

on the type of ship. As part of the package, customers receive the SeaTrend third party fuel monitoring system, SeaTrend from Force Technology. Shipowners can even estimate their potential fuel savings using a calculator on Hempel’s web site. Hempasil X3 is offered for 90-month

service intervals and, according to Mr Rasmussen: “Unlike other fouling release products it works at speeds as low as 8knots and is still effective at 50% activity levels, providing longer intervals between dry docking, and at the same time making fouling release coatings relevant for a greater range of ships.” Te fuel saving effects of Hempasil X3

have been documented through extensive towing tank studies and confirmed by real-life applications on more than 20 vessels. Measurements on, for example, on Holland America Line’s cruise ship Zaandam indicate a reduced fuel consumption of 8.4%, while Hempel estimates the annual savings for a VLCC using 183,000tonnes of fuel over a 90 month period could amount to US$5.2 million. Hempasil X3 is preferably applied on

a clean shotblasted hull surface, which is first coated with two layers of epoxy, followed by the tiecoat, and then Hempasil.

Hemsail X3 makes an impact at 8knots. Hempel invests in growth

At the turn of the year Hempel A/S reached an agreement to acquire Hempel-Hai Hong in China. This latest acquisition means that Hempel invested nearly DKK1 billion in 2008, in line with its strategy for global growth. By increasing its share in Hempel-Hai Hong from 36% to 100%, Hempel said it had attained full control of its activities in China. Hempel- Hai Hong is already responsible for 25% of Hempel A/S’s global turnover, making it one of the leading companies in the Hempel Group.

Technically it is also possible to overcoat an existing old antifouling, by first waterjet- cleaning the hull to remove the loose old coating, then applying a thin coating of epoxy, then the new tiecoat and finally the Hempasil, but shotblasting is preferred, as the hull surface becomes smoother. NA

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