An investigation to improve the antifouling properties of the Sharklet topography using computation fluid dynamics

Abstract

Abstract Biofouling is an undesirable phenomenon that occurs on the surface that is submerged underwater for a long time. With the adhesion of microorganisms, it will defect indsutrie especially the marine industry. By having biofouling on the submerged surface of vessels, it larger the drag force and friction that are experienced by the vessels while travelling and thus increase the cost on fuel consumption. To deal with this issue, mechanical approach and chemical approach were firstly developed which were then attempting significance success on decreasing the occurrence of biofouling. However, these approaches are not a sustainable solution. Hence, surface modification is then proposed and developed by the researchers to control the biofouling. Currently, Sharklet topography is one of the popular micro-structures antifouling technology. Few studies have presented successful results of Sharklet topography on the antifouling performance, but lack of research is relevant to the way on improving the antifouling properties of Sharklet topography. Thus, this project is mainly on modifying the Sharklet topography and make comparison with the initial design by studying the hydrodynamic characteristics around the surface through Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. To carry out this experiment, three-dimensional (3D) models for the non-patterned surface and Sharklet micro-structured surfaces will be created in different channels of flow but with similar settings. The data to be identified and compared from both models are flow velocity, shear strain rate and wall shear stress. From this study, it is observed that as varying the sizes of width between the effective range of microtopography sizes (64 μm – 264 μm) under constant height and spacing, the bigger the size of width, the better the performance of antifouling since the wall shear aspect appears the sharp fluctuation for the geometry with aspect ratio of 1.5 as compared 2.0 and 3.0. With the sharply fluctuating shear stress, it will be an unfavorable environment for the microorganisms to settle down.