Testing for biofilm release as a function of simulated ship speed using a calibrated water jet device
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
9-1-2024
Abstract
Biofouling release coatings (BRCs) have received attention for their potential to limit the negative impacts of biofouling on marine shipping. The calibrated water jet (CWJ, patent # US 8,984,958 B1) can be used to study the effectiveness of BRCs as a function of ship speed. Using a balance of force and linear momentum, we examined the theory and application of the CWJ for simulating the effect of ship speed on biofilm release for surfaces fouled under (1) laboratory and (2) natural conditions. Greater fouling release corresponded with an increase in CWJ pressure and, therefore, simulated ship speed for the surfaces coated with HullKote. The effectiveness of the CWJ was further confirmed for biofilm release from glass fouled naturally by submersion in flow-through seawater. A scaling analysis confirms that the results of these small-scale experiments are applicable to larger-scale biofouling release from ship hulls. This study is the first to utilize the pressure of a CWJ to quantify biofouling release as a function of simulated ship speed.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Coatings Technology and Research
Volume
21
Issue
5
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Shepard, Zachary, D. M.L. Meyer, Kayla Kurtz, Asa Julien, Vinka Oyanedel-Craver, and Lucie Maranda. "Testing for biofilm release as a function of simulated ship speed using a calibrated water jet device." Journal of Coatings Technology and Research 21, 5 (2024). doi: 10.1007/s11998-024-00934-3.