Ultrasonic algae control for ships and cooling
STOP SEA CHEST FOULING
MAINTAIN SPEED & CUT FUEL COSTS!
STOP THE GROWTH — THE EASY SOLUTION:
STOP FOULING — PREVENT OVERHEATING!
ADD ULTRASOUND TO YOUR COPPER-ANODE SYSTEM
FOR CLEAN BOX COOLERS & BETTER PERFORMANCE!
ANODES FIGHT CORROSION
DB-GLOBE FIGHTS BIOFOULING.
Anodes protect underwater metal from corrosion,
but they cannot stop all biofilm and marine growth.
DB-GLOBE ultrasound is designed to keep underwater systems
clean by controlling the biofouling that anodes cannot.
Biofilm are formed by the unwanted settlement of single and multicellular organisms on liquid carrying surfaces. Initially, dissolved organic molecules are adsorbed onto any submerged material, held namely by the van der Waals forces. Then, bacterial and algal cells adhere to the surface, mediated by secretion of glue – like substance of extracellular polymers or EPS, which contain polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids. As the biofilm matures, it starts to disperse and spread over a larger area. It also hardens, which increases its mechanical resistance. The formed community secretes a number of chemical cues that attract bigger, often sessile organisms, like mussels and barnacles on various locations such as hulls, seawater cooling systems, propellers, tanks and freshwater generators. In industrial plants, biofilm favors the deposition of organic and inorganic residues, which leads to accelerated corrosion. In industrial and shipping cooling systems, biofilm hosts bacteria species such as
Legionella or Pseudomonas.
SEE ALSO VEOLIA’S OUTSTANDING TEST RESULTS:
Veolia Ref Algae Ultrasound Trial – 98% algae cell reduction
Invest in prevention to reduce maintenance costs
Proactive fouling control can help protect cooling performance, reduce maintenance and avoid costly operational disruptions.
Causes of Engine Overheating
Common causes of engine overheating on large ships include:Insufficient coolant: Leaks can reduce coolant levels, limiting heat removal.
Restricted cooling-water flow: Fouling, debris, blocked strainers or malfunctioning pumps can reduce circulation.
Fouled coolers: Biological growth and deposits can reduce heat-transfer efficiency.
Faulty temperature controls: Malfunctioning thermostats, sensors or control systems can affect temperature regulation.
Overloading or poor maintenance: Heavy engine loads and inadequate maintenance can contribute to overheating.
THE HIDDEN PROBLEM: BIOFOULING
Protective coatings can deteriorate over time and may be damaged during cleaning. Biofilm and other marine growth can then accumulate on submerged surfaces, inside seawater pipes and around cooling equipment.
This buildup can restrict water flow and reduce heat transfer, affecting the equipment that depends on the cooling system.
When cooling capacity becomes insufficient, a vessel may need to reduce engine power and speed, increasing operating costs and disrupting schedules.
HOW ULTRASOUND WORKS
The transducer emits ultrasonic sound waves into the surrounding water. The system is designed to help control algae and biofilm development on submerged surfaces.
By limiting the early stages of fouling, ultrasound aims to discourage the settlement and growth of barnacles, mussels and other marine organisms.
Effective coverage depends on transducer placement, the geometry of the sea chest and operating conditions.
ALPHA QUATTRO: FLEXIBLE FOULING CONTROL
ALPHA QUATTRO is a one-time equipment investment designed to support ongoing fouling prevention and reduce cleaning requirements.
The transducer can be positioned to suit the sea chest or cooling-water application. Installation requirements depend on the vessel and the proposed mounting arrangement.
Routine maintenance includes inspecting the system and cleaning the transducer with a soft cloth every four to five weeks, or more frequently where fouling conditions require it.
ADVANTAGES OF ULTRASONIC FOULING CONTROL
A one-time equipment investment.
Helps limit biofilm and algae development.
Designed to discourage new marine growth.
Can help reduce cleaning and maintenance costs.
Adaptable to a range of fouling-control applications.
Flexible installation options, depending on the vessel.
Helps maintain cooling-system performance.
Can help reduce fouling-related downtime.
Continuous operation.
Minimal routine maintenance.
Operates without dosing antifouling chemicals into the water.
Flexible transducer positioning.
HELP KEEP SEA CHESTS AND COOLING SYSTEMS CLEANER
Ultrasonic fouling control can help keep sea chests, box coolers and strainers cleaner, supporting reliable cooling and reducing maintenance demands.
Suitability for hulls and freshwater tanks should be assessed separately for each application.
A one-time investment in ongoing fouling prevention.
ULTRASONIC BALLAST-WATER TREATMENT
Ultrasound has been investigated as a physical treatment method for damaging or inactivating organisms in ballast water.
Performance depends on the treatment intensity, exposure time, flow rate and organisms present. Evidence for ultrasonic fouling control does not, by itself, demonstrate effective ballast-water disinfection.
Any claims about ALPHA QUATTRO’s suitability for ballast-water treatment should be supported by testing specific to that application.
Read more:
https://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonic-ballast-water-disinfection.htm
Some of our shipping customers:
Ultrasound is for shipping companies who consider economics, health, environment and safety.
ALPHA system keeps freshwater tanks clean for bio film, bacteria and growth.
Without chemicals in the water and no chemicals for cleaning, it gives a huge financial saving.
ULTRASOUND SOLVES MANY PROBLEMS ON BOARD
AND ALPHA mod. Quattro-DB® 4-ways IS THE SOLUTION!
Scientifically proven technology,
Ultrasonic control of algae is a documented method. Ultrasonic processing is used in many industries and has long been
known to destroy bacteria and algae on a molecular level. This has been tested by many universities
and research institutes around the world (including thoroughly tested and proven by the Australian Navy).
ALPHA technology brings this ultrasound solution for a reliable, secure, power conscious and
very effective system with many years of experience that is required to use the solution effectively for water treatment.
UNWANTED MUSSEL FOULING
Mussels live mainly off algae in the sea water, and this is where the problems begin with the mussels clogging our systems.
This in turn leads to the higher temperatures in the cooling of water. Businesses that use sea water for cooling
have two solutions, chemicals and cleaning. It turns out that the mussels have become so clever that when the chemicals
get into the water system they close themselves in order to survive.
The mussels main consumption are microscopic algae and phytoplankton, but they will also be able to make use of other
organic particles such as bacteria and detritus. Mussels live by filtering out and eating small, organic particles from the sea.
The main food for the mussels is freely floating microscopic algae called the plant plankton or algae-plankton. The presence
of toxic algae plankton mussels will accumulate from these toxins. The amount of toxic algae present says something about
the risk that mussels can accumulate algae-toxins to levels that make them unfit for consumption.
Ultrasonic benefits
associated with algae and bio fouling in Marine systems including.
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Extended Haul Out and Anti-Fouling intervals
- Improved Performance
- Reduced Fuel Consumption through reduced drag
- No Consumables (no electrodes to replace)
- Maintains submerged structures.
- Destroys Algae & halts mussel growth lifecycle.