nCu - ECO Coating

Technology

nCu - ECO Coating is a bio-inspired technology that prevents biofouling by water macroorganisms, including the highly invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena Polymorphia). The coating can be used in all steel technical devices operating in a freshwater environment, such as hydropower and hydrotechnical devices, thermal power plants, industrial water intakes, water plant facilities and heat exchanger piping, grating etc. collecting water from freshwater reservoirs.

This technology is based on creation of specific copper nano-structure coating. The created protective coating, due to low adhesion as well as the biocidal and biostatic properties of the copper structure, prevents bio-fouling of steel elements.

Applications

The nCu coating can be applied in all technical devices made of steel, operating in a freshwater environment, such as hydrotechnical devices of hydropower, thermal power plants, industrial water intakes, water plant facilities such as water intake filters, heat exchanger piping, grating etc. collecting water from freshwater reservoirs. The coating can be applied to stainless steel or carbon steel where it also protects against corrosion. The dimensions of the covered elements are only limited by the dimensions of the available galvanic bath used in the nCu process.

Water inlet filter screens
(even up to 50 μm gap)

nCu Application area - Power plants, heat exchangers

Elements of water turbines

Power plants, heat exchangers

Filter grids and suction elements

Hull and propulsion components

Technology features

No toxic ingredients

No toxic ingredients or other substances are released into environment (which is the case with typical antifouling paints).

Low coating thickness

The nCu coating due to its small thickness at the level of 50 micrometres can be used in high-precision devices where it is important to maintain the original dimensions of the protected element (e.g. filter gap, turbine blade).

High abrasion resistance

The coating has high durability and abrasion resistance, which is especially important when the protected device works in water contaminated with inorganic particles such as sand, gravel, etc.

Fits for any shape and dimension

The dimensions of the covered elements are limited only by the dimensions of the available galvanic bath used in the process of electroplating the nCu coating.

Lower operating costs

The use of the nCu coating reduces the operating costs of hydrotechnical devices by extending the maintenance periods and increasing the efficiency of devices due to the lack of additional flow resistance caused by bio-fouling.