A methodology for removing biofouling of the hull based on ultrasonic guided waves

Abstract

Marine biofouling is considered as the undesired growth and accumulation of biological organisms on the surface of materials submerged in seawater. Marine biofouling could increase the resistance and fuel consumption of ships. In this paper, a novel method for removing biofouling on ship hull based on cavitation effect and ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs) is proposed, which is eco-friendly and could remove biofouling online. The simulation model is established by finite element method to study the sound pressure distribution on the steel plat. The biofouling removal experiment is designed, which reveals that it is feasible to remove biofouling efficiently with UGWs.