Ultrasonic radiation is being investigated as a way to remove biofouling from Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) heat exchangers. Experiments conducted in Hawaii, in the Gulf of Mexico, and at the Applied Physics Laboratory have shown that ultrasonic cleaning devices can remove fouling from aluminum tubes exposed to ocean water for periods of up to 13 weeks without damage to the metal surface. Data were gathered on exposure levels, times, and cleaning effectiveness. Results have indicated that a 15-sec exposure once every two weeks at a surface intensity of 1 W/cm2 would maintain a thermal resistance factor of less than 0.000035 W−1-m2-K. The cleaning does not interrupt heat exchanger operation and would require < 0.5% of the OTEC plant's gross power output.

Subject
Biofouling, Paint removal, Water, Materials, Probes, Aluminum, Tubes, Seawater, Transducers, Heat exchangers, Heat, Fouling, Cleaning
© 1981 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1981
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.