The Research and Development of a Cavitating Water Jet Cleaning System for Removing Marine Growth and Fouling from Offshore Platform Structures.

Abstract : The objective of this program was to develop the technology to demonstrate the use of controlled cavitation erosion to remove marine growth from off-shore structures. The major advantage of a cavitation system would be the smaller energy input requirement. Commercial systems are available but they require three to four times the energy in order to accomplish the same task. Through the use of cavitation technology small, lightweight components which will conserve energy can be utilized. The following engineering parameters were evaluated in order to demonstrate the use of controlled cavitation erosion, CONCAVER, technology: (1) nozzle distance (Dn); (2) nozzle design; (3) nozzle velocity (Vo); (4) intensity of cavitation erosion (Ie); (5) water depth (d); and (6) nozzle horsepower (HPm). The family of data curves were gathered which allowed optimization of the test conditions and equipment in order to obtain the maximum cleaning rate. Once the most effective nozzle design was determined, the other parameters were evaluated both in the laboratory and in field tests in order to maximize the surface area cleaned with respect to time. (Author)