Hull cleaning systems using CAVIJET cavitating fluid jets: A feasibility study

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Hull cleaning systems using CAVIJET cavitating fluid jets: A feasibility study

Conn, A.F. / Liu, H.L. / Frederick, G.S. / Rudy, S.L.

New methods for removing fouling from ship hulls are now being actively sought, both for Maritime and Naval craft, motivated by concerns of energy consumption and environmental protection. This report describes the second phase of a developmental program, which has bridged the gap between the earlier successful laboratory cleaning with the CAVIJET cavitating water jet method (Reference 1), and the design and fabrication of prototype hull cleaners using this method. Equipment for testing full-scale removal of fouling was developed and used in field trials on actual ship hulls in dry dock. This same six-nozzle CAVIHET cleaning system was also used for underwater trials. Cleaning rates of over 500 square meters/hr (5,400 square ft/hr) using pump pressures of 13.8 MPa (2,000 psi) or less were achieved. In comparison with the rate of about 90 square meters/hr (1,000 square ft/hr) now achieved by a conventional hand-held sandsweeping device, this demonstrates the practicality of the CAVIJET technology for commercial hull cleaning systems. (Peters)