Review of Underwater Ship Hull Cleaning Technologies

Changhui Song,Weicheng Cui

doi:10.1007/s11804-020-00157-z

Changhui Song, Weicheng Cui

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-020-00157-z

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Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of ship hull cleaning technologies. Various cleaning methods and devices applied to dry-dock cleaning and underwater cleaning are introduced in detail, including rotary brushes, high-pressure and cavitation water jet technology, ultrasonic technology, and laser cleaning technology. The application of underwater robot technology in ship cleaning not only frees divers from engaging in heavy work but also creates safe and efficient industrial products. Damage to the underlying coating of the ship caused by the underwater cleaning operation can be minimized by optimizing the working process of the underwater cleaning robot. With regard to the adhesion technology mainly used in underwater robots, an overview of recent developments in permanent magnet and electromagnetic adhesion, negative pressure force adhesion, thrust force adhesion, and biologically inspired adhesion is provided. Through the analysis and comparison of current underwater robot products, this paper predicts that major changes in the application of artificial intelligence and multirobot cooperation, as well as optimization and combination of various technologies in underwater cleaning robots, could be expected to further lead to breakthroughs in developing next-generation robots for underwater cleaning.

Highlights

Vessels or structures that partially reside below the surface of seawater or freshwater are subjected to various levels of fouling by marine or aquatic organisms, respectively (Cioanta and McGhin 2017)
The pipes and suction equipment used in the capture of waste and the auxiliary vessel and waste treatment equipment installed on it make the underwater robotic cleaning system complicated and difficult to operate
The processing equipment can be integrated into the underwater robot, making the underwater robot cleaning system more compact and efficient, which could greatly reduce the operation costs of an underwater hull cleaning system

Summary

Introduction

Vessels or structures that partially reside below the surface of seawater or freshwater are subjected to various levels of fouling by marine (saltwater) or aquatic (fresh water from lakes and rivers) organisms, respectively (Cioanta and McGhin 2017). At the base of the fouling mechanism for vessels and structures residing in sea or freshwater are biofilms formed on such structures, which constitute the glue between marine or aquatic organisms and the actual structure (Hua et al 2018). The biofilms form and the fouling organisms attach to all subsurface structures, such as propellers, rudders, inlet and Highlights The development status of underwater cleaning robot is introduced. Frictional resistance due to buildup of biofilms, sea grass, barnacles, and other marine creatures on the hull as a vessel goes through water will increase its fuel consumption. Hull fouling on the vessels can cause the spread of alien species that rapidly multiply in local waters without natural enemies (Bax et al 2003; Godwin 2003; Drake and Lodge 2007)

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