GEOCORAIL® Process - Patented Innovation
The GEOCORAIL® process: SEACURE patented technology to effectively fight coastal erosion and protect coastlines.
INTRODUCTION
GEOCORAIL® is a "natural rock" whose particularity is to be composed exclusively from mineral salts and sediments naturally present in the marine ecosystem.
Manufactured in situ through the electrolysis process, this rocky conglomerate, 100% natural and with remarkable physical properties, is a complementary and alternative solution to traditional maritime and port construction and repair works.
Easy to implement, it allows project owners to sustain their maritime and port structures while minimizing their environmental impact and optimizing their work budget in the long term.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
A conductive framework 'cathode is positioned where the GEOCORAIL® must be produced. It is connected to a current generator.
An anode, also connected to the generator, completes the circuit, with seawater acting as the electrolyte.
By injecting a continuous electric current of very low voltage into the device, an electrochemical reaction is created near the cathode and causes precipitation of Calcium and Magnesium ions.
A calcomagnesian deposit, similar in consistency to cement during the formation process of traditional concrete, then forms on the cathode.
When it comes into contact with nearby sediments and shell debris, a rocky concretion develops on the cathodic structure and merges with this calcomagnesian deposit, thereby creating GEOCORAIL® — a natural rock with an appearance and properties similar to natural coral.
GEOCORAIL® advantages
GEOCORAIL® combines performance, simplicity, and ecological benefits, making it a unique material and an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional concrete-based materials.
Strengthens & Ensures Durability
Its primary function is to strengthen and ensure the durability of maritime and port structures.
By forming around a metal framework, GEOCORAIL® consolidates, stabilizes, and limits corrosion (caused by chloride ions and carbon dioxide) in installations exposed to the marine environment, thereby extending their service life.
Ecological
Formed in situ, GEOCORAIL® significantly reduces the need for material transportation and the scale of work required to reinforce installations. Its formation relies on the natural mineralization of elements present in seawater, without cement or chemical additives, resulting in a lower environmental impact than concrete or rockfill.
Economic
With fewer imported materials, simplified logistics, and easier installation, the final cost of the structure is optimized. In addition, the self-regenerating nature of the conglomerate, which maintains itself as long as the structure is under tension, reduces maintenance operations.
Biodiversity
Thanks to its calco-magnesium chemical composition, GEOCORAIL® forms a complex and porous mineral structure that is easily colonized. Acting as a true artificial reef, it promotes the attachment of organisms (microfauna, algae, shellfish) and the formation of micro-habitats, contributing to the ecological restoration of port and coastal areas.
Customizable
Finally, GEOCORAIL® can be formed on any type of metal support, allowing for tailor-made solutions adapted to the specific constraints of each environment and site. This flexibility, combined with its self-healing potential, ensures long-term performance and facilitates project evolution.
Some pictures of GEOCORAIL®
