Study on technologies for preventing and removing fouling on steel structures in coastal environments

Abstract

In marine environments, particularly in estuarine regions of Vietnam, the adhesion of oysters and marine microorganisms to metal surfaces causes biocorrosion, significantly reducing the durability and operational efficiency of steel structures such as sluice gates. Although various technical solutions have been studied to mitigate this issue, a comprehensive approach that is both effective, environmentally friendly, and practical for field application remains elusive. Within the framework of a collaborative research project between Thuyloi University (Vietnam) and IHI Corporation (Japan), a combined technology using Micro-current and Ultrasonic irradiations was experimentally applied on a real sluice gate structure in Hai Phong. The results demonstrated that the solution effectively prevents and removes biofouling organisms, identifies optimal technical conditions for implementation in estuarine environments, and provides recommendations for selecting suitable gate materials to enhance corrosion resistance and extend structural lifespan.