The presence of biofouling on the hull of a ship increases the drag from the water during sailing and thereby the fuel consumption, which results in increased CO2 emissions as well as increased costs for the ship owner. Paints applied to the underwater areas on the hull of ships therefore often contain biocides to hinder biofouling growth or possess non-stick properties, allowing a release of the fouling when the vessels pick up speed.
AkzoNobel is working with Royal Philips to develop a new technology that employs a completely different approach to traditional paints used in biofouling control on ship hulls. It uses an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitting layer applied on the underwater areas of the hull to keep the surface clean from fouling. The UV-C irradiation inactivates or kills microorganisms through absorption by their DNA, a property regularly applied in water and air purification systems, preventing the attachment and growth of biofouling.
This new approach has demonstrated a capability to keep the surface completely clean from any biofouling (Figure 1), a level of fouling prevention not offered by the current paint systems. This is the case both when the ship is sailing and when it is docked. Stationary prototype tiles have been tested around the world and have been shown capable to remain clean in various locations that are known to pose a high fouling challenge, like Singapore and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions by offering unparalleled antifouling performance, the technology is a biocide-free and zero-VOC solution, which are other important sustainability objectives.
The UV-C is emitted from UV-LEDs, which are embedded in a silicone light-guide that helps in distributing the irradiation across the surface. Prototypes are currently tiles of 30x30cm2 with a thickness of 10mm, and they have a cable hardwired in for powering. To optimize the area kept clean by the individual LEDs, they are configured such that they emit sideways into the plane. A portion of the emitted light is guided along the surface by the light-guide, which can be demonstrated with an external green laser with its beam incident on the side of the panel (Figure 2).
In the current design, reflective material is applied at the bottom to reflect the UV-C outwards, while some of it bounces back through total internal reflection at the silicone-water interface. Part of the UV-C being guided along the surface can exit the light emitting layer towards the outer surface through diffuse scattering, enabling UV-C exposure of the bio organisms at the whole surface.
Knowing the properties of the components, the materials used and the design of the tile allow a model simulation of the UV-C irradiance levels across the surface. By linking data from a single LED test sample with experimental fouling exposure observations, it was found that a low UV-C intensity of only about 1mW per m2 is found to be already sufficient to prevent biofouling (Figure 3 left panel). Subsequently, this threshold value can be used in model simulations towards designing a multiple LED containing light emitting layer, ensuring that positioning of the LEDs and other design parameters are such that the entire surface is being kept free of fouling (Figure 3, right panel).
Ultimately, on a ship, the technology will be applied under challenging in-service conditions. Additionally, components within the UV-C emitting layer may at certain locations be exposed to high UV-C irradiation levels. Material selection therefore becomes critical when having to take into account durability, processing and fabrication, as well as the overall design criteria associated with the technology. Despite these difficulties, a recent prototype has already shown to be still performing well after nearly two years of continuous operation in the field.
The bulk of the light guide is made up of silicone, which, when properly formulated, can exhibit a high UV-C transparency with a transmittance of about 80% per cm at 275nm wavelength. This property is critical for the performance of the technology, as it enables distribution of the UV-C across the surface to reach everywhere the relatively low intensity levels that keep the surface clean with the use of a limited number of LEDs. While being fairly flexible, aiding the application to curved surfaces, the silicone layer also protects the electronics embedded within. Mechanical testing of the prototypes has demonstrated that the electronics within the light guide can survive typical impact forces associated with water slamming or rubbing by fenders.
An adhesive backing will be used to fix the light emitting layer onto the hull of a ship. While currently, prototype designs are relatively thick (10mm), ultimately, designs would be closer to typical laminate films. Still, a careful selection of the adhesive solution is required. To this end, aside from laboratory testing, dedicated field testing is being done to assess the performance of the adhesives and ensure that the light-emitting layer stays in place.
New generation prototypes that are under development will have a thinner design (~4mm), with no hardwired cable, and provide a larger panel size (about 50x50 cm2). The format is enabled by newly available UV-C LEDs with a thin side-view package, which can be used directly for emitting in the plane without requiring the extra step of mounting the package sideways. Inductive coupling by placing the edge of a tile on top of a power strip will be used for powering the LEDs, omitting the need for a hardwired cable to connect each tile. Additionally, improvements in materials will be applied to avoid artefacts from stresses arising due to changes in material properties during processing.
Next steps in moving the technology towards the market will be developing a scalable fabrication, extending product lifetime, and the actual full-scale application on vessels. New prototypes will be tested on operational vessels as assemblies of tiles rather than with single tiles. This will help with allowing in-field installation procedures to be optimized, while the in-service use allows building a performance track record. With having achieved two years in-field performance, further improvement can certainly be expected. Gradually further improving the UV-C LED performance (lifetime, efficiency) will be the basis to come to future product solutions.
Combining capabilities from both companies, readying this technology for the market is now a global team effort. Where Royal Philips has expertise and intellectual property (IP) in designing systems using UV-LEDs, AkzoNobel has expertise in materials chemistry, adhesion and surface protection. Development of the system involves activities occurring in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and while ship hulls are the main application area that is targeted with the current efforts, possibilities for this technology also exist in niche area applications, such as sea chests. Overall, the technology offers unparalleled fouling prevention performance as well as benefits to sustainability targets, although a big challenge lies in getting it to work in the market, since it is so different from conventional solutions. Ultimately, collaboration and education are critical to making this novel and new technology a success in the marine industry.
The Authors:
Niek Hijnen (PhD) works in AkzoNobel’s coatings technology group, currently focusing on the technical development of the UV-C antifouling technology as well as new technologies for improving the anticorrosive performance of coatings. www.akzonobel.com
Michel Jongerius (PhD) has 37 years’ experience in Philips Research innovations in photonics and manufacturing technology. Currently, he is project manager of the RunWell project on UV anti-fouling
, Hempel's Marine Paints, Inc., and Jotun Marine Coatings, Inc. The Friday morning program will feature two workshops. Workshop A, "Coatings Technology," will be conducted by Robert Doyle of Ameron Protective Coatings Division, and John D. White of Devoe Marine Coatings. Speakers for Workshop
coating systems. Using figures representative of a 280,000-dwt turbine tanker, Mr. Bryn described Jotun's extensive research and experience in coatings technology, which show that considerable savings can be achieved from an investment in a sophisticated hull coating system such as Jotun's Takata LLL organ
;s new Research & Development Director. He provided Maritime Reporter & Engineering News insights on the future pace and direction of coatings technology.Nigel Shewring has spent his professional life on the R&D side of the coatings industry, starting in 1996 as a bench chemist developing
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between underwater hull coatings. Competitive, Narrow Vendor Base While innovation and the development of new and better products and coatings technology continues, the overall global supplier base for marine coatings remains narrow. The global waterborne coatings market consists of several key
, two areas of science only very recently associated with Norway.SINTEF now drives and qualifies advances in materials characterization and coatings technology. One obvious advance is that Norwegian subsea cables and subsea equipment bear a characteristic quality look. Labs in these and related segments
levels of heavy metals. Ameron reports its ED coatings do not contain methyl and ethyl cellosolves or their acetates. Additionally, ED coatings technology makes it possible to duplicate with leadand chrome-free pigments the same colors as with conventional lead and chrome pigments. ED coatings
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ronments. The new agreement will address speci? c techni- cal gaps in the UUV defense and offshore energy markets especially for long duration, multi-payload mission opera- tions where communications are often denied or restricted. As part of the new alliance, Metron’s Resilient Mission Autonomy portfolio
Image courtesy Kongsberg Discovery Image courtesy Teledyne Marine New Products Teledyne Marine had its traditional mega-booth at Oi, busy start to ? nish. Image courtesy Greg Trauthwein offers quality sub-bottom pro? ling capability without the need tion of offshore windfarms. GeoPulse 2 introduces new
Image courtesy Outland Technology Image courtesy Exail Image courtesy Submaris and EvoLogics Vehicles The ROV-1500 from Outland Technology represents a leap forward in underwater robotics, a compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) weighing in at less than 40 lbs (19kg) the ROV- 1500 is easy to transport
NEW TECH OCEANOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2024 All photos courtesy MTR unless otherwise noted NEW TECH, PARTNERSHIPS LAUNCH IN LONDON With Oceanology International now one month in the rear-view mirror, MTR takes a look at some of the interesting technologies launched before, during and after the London event.
regulated industry in the world.” How- ever, commercial success depends on many factors, not least a predictable OPEX. Over the past four years, SMD has worked with Oil States Industries to calculate cost per tonne ? gures for prospective customers. Patania II uses jet water pumps to Oil States’
FEATURE SEABED MINING by a sea? oor plume from its pilot collection system test. pact, nodule collection system that utilizes mechanical and The Metals Company recently signed a binding MoU with hydraulic technology. Paci? c Metals Corporation of Japan for a feasibility study on The company’s SMD
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n January, Norway said “yes” to sea- bed mining, adding its weight to the momentum that is likely to override the calls for a moratorium by over 20 countries and companies such as I Google, BMW, Volvo and Samsung. Those against mining aim to protect the unique and largely unknown ecology of the sea?
SEA-KIT USV Maxlimer returning from HT-HH caldera in Tonga. © SEA-KIT International data and further assess ecosystem recov- ery. What is known, noted Caplan-Auer- bach, is that the impact of submarine vol- canoes on humans is rare. “The HT-HH eruption was a tragedy, but it was very unusual. It let us
FEATURE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTATION & SENSORS Kevin Mackay, TESMaP voyage leader and Center head of the South and West Paci? c Regional Centre of Seabed 2030. Kevin in the seismic lab at Greta Point looking at the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano 3D map completed with data from the TESMaP voyage
Auerbach explained that ideally, “one ? ed layers of geothermal activity,” noted changes over an area of 8,000 km2. They would have both instruments: seismom- Skett, “and the change in salinity and dis- found up to seven km3 of displaced ma- eters to detect and locate subsurface ac- solved particles for
elatively inactive since 2014, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai (HT-HH) submarine volcano began erupting on December 20, 2021, reaching peak intensity on January 15, 2022. This triggered tsunamis throughout the Pa- R ci? c, destroyed lives and infrastructure, and generated the largest explosion recorded
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About the Author vey with the pipe tracker is not required, resulting in signi? - Svenn Magen Wigen is a Cathodic Protection and corrosion control cant cost savings, mainly related to vessel charter. expert having worked across The major advantage of using FiGS on any type of subsea engineering, design
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• Integrity assessment, and otherwise covered, e.g., by rock dump. As for depletion of • Mitigation, intervention and repair. sacri? cial anodes, this can be dif? cult or even impossible to Selecting the best method for collecting the data these work- estimate due to poor visibility, the presence of
TECH FEATURE IMR Image courtesy FORCE Technology OPTIMIZING CATHODIC PROTECTION SURVEY USING NON-CONTACT SENSORS By Svenn Magen Wigen, FORCE Technology he principle behind sacri? cial anodes, which are water structures, reducing the need for frequent repairs and used to safeguard underwater pipelines
sensor options for longer mission periods. About the Author For glider users working in ? sheries and conservation, Shea Quinn is the Product Line Manager the Sentinel can run several high-energy passive and active of the Slocum Glider at Teledyne Webb acoustic sensors, on-board processing, and imaging
nyone familiar with glider hardware options integrated for a broad Glider answers that need,” said Shea autonomous underwater ve- range of missions. Quinn, Slocum Glider Product Line hicles (AUVs) is certainly “As the use of Slocum Gliders grew, Manager at TWR. A familiar with the popular- so did
assist in identifying mines and act as a neutralization device. About the Author Bottom mines pose even greater chal- David R. Strachan is a defense analyst and founder of lenges. Unlike contact mines, bottom Strikepod Systems, a research and strategic advisory mines utilize a range of sensors to
from marinas along the western coast. The exact number of lizing laser detection systems can detect mines just below the mines, as well as their locations, remains largely a mystery, surface, even those hiding in murky water. The Airborne Laser although reports suggest that over three hundred have been
Editorial NIWA-Nippon Foundation TESMaP/ Rebekah Parsons-King www.marinetechnologynews.com ast month marked the resounding NEW YORK 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 return of Oceanology Interna- Tel: (212) 477-6700; Fax: (212) 254-6271 tional in London, perennially one Lof the world’s most important