Using Ultraviolet Light for Improved Antifouling Performance on Ship Hulls & Niche Areas
Abstract
There has been a growing interest to incorporate UVC as a biofouling prevention method on ships and other marine surfaces. Before UVC can be successfully utilized, there are several unknowns which must be addressed. We are proposing to determine the efficacy of implementing UVC by dividing the work into three main thrust areas: the impacts to biofouling ecology, the physio-chemical changes to UV treated surfaces, and the application and dosage requirements for biofouling prevention. The thrusts will consider biofouling prevention on ship hulls, niche areas (e.g., sea chests, bow thrusters, propeller shafts), and other high fouling areas on a ship (e.g., seawater intakes). Each thrust will have experiments that are geared towards investigating specific items with regards to UVC implementation, such as: the tolerance levels of prominent biofouling organisms, determining the synergy or possible impacts of UVC with different types and ages of marine coatings, testing the efficacy of new and commercially available technologies, understanding the influence of turbidity parameters (dissolved constituents, particle size and algal/sediment composition) on transmission, as well as the energy and cost requirements associated with a successful UVC application. The main driver behind this proposal is to identify if UVC could be a viable non-coatings approach for biofouling mitigation.--Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312433
Entities
People
- Kelli Z Hunsucker
Organizations
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy