En-route operated hydroblasting system for counteracting biofouling on ship hull. (15th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hua, Jian; Chiu, Yin-Sen; Tsai, Chin-Yang
• Is Part Of: Ocean engineering. Volume 152(2018)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2018-03-15
• Subjects: Ship -- Marine vessel -- Biofouling -- Biofilm -- Hydroblast -- Cleaning method; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; Ocean engineering; Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2018.01.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-8018

Abstract

Abstract: Improvement in the management of biofouling on ship hull can help to enhance the operational performance of ships and reduce cost of shipping. It can also effectively minimize the environmental impact e.g. spread of invasive aquatic species of international shipping. The operation of the newly developed hydroblasting cleanup system indicates that angles and types of nozzles have apparent effects on the effectiveness of biofouling removal. With a distance of 6 mm from nozzle tip to specimen surface, the biofouling removal rates were 41%, 59%, and 71% for 25° flat, 65° flat, and rotating jet, respectively. The results obtained in the study demonstrate that the growth of biofilms can be interrupted effectively by using the developed system. We determined the extent to which the proposed technology can be used to prevent the buildup of biofouling on international vessels, to reduce the global transfer of nonindigenous species, and to contribute to the future development of useful solutions. We suggest that future studies use this cleaning system periodically while monitoring the status of biofouling to determine the effectiveness of the interference. The results can also be used to establish parameters (e.g., cleaning cycle duration) for a strategic plan. Graphical abstract: Highlights: The operation of the hydroblasting system indicates that angles and types of nozzles have apparent effects on the effectiveness of antibiofouling. With a nozzle distance of 6 mm, the biofouling removal rates were 41%, 59%, and 71% for 25° flat, 65° flat, and rotating jet, respectively. The proposed method can be used to prevent the buildup of biofouling on ship hull, to reduce the transfer of nonindigenous species.