This disclosure pertains to the disruption of subsea biofilm and algal growth.
The subsea environment, coupled with the surfaces and warmth provided by subsea structures, is conducive to the growth of algae and formation of biofilms. While subsea structures are designed to withstand most mechanical loads and perform within specifications for long periods of time, certain structures are still vulnerable to degradation from marine fouling/biofouling. Fouling/biofouling includes the formation of biofilms and, later, the growth of algae and increasing complex organisms on the surface of a subsea structure. This interrupts the normal function of the structure, such as a connection or a communication port.
The present disclosure relates generally to the use of ultrasonic excitation of the structural surface to prevent fouling. Studies have been reported on the effects of ultrasound on the growth of biofilms and algae, but none were performed directly in the context of the environment that is found in the subsea oil and gas industry. The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic inhibition of biofilm and algae growth against microbial species and under conditions that are applicable to those of the subsea oil and gas industry, as well as other industries. The method and system do not use moving parts and can be low cost.
The present system and method for disruption of biofilm and algae growth utilize one or more ultrasonic actuators that produce a natural frequency in the ultrasonic range. The natural frequency is adjustable to fit different applications. The ultrasonic actuator is placed in close proximity to the underwater structure in need of protection from biofouling.
In some examples the ultrasonic actuator can include a piezoelectric transducer. A piezoelectric transducer is a transducer that converts electrical charges produced by solid materials into energy. Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers generate ultrasonic activity, producing sound waves above the frequencies that can be heard by humans. It rapidly expands and contracts when an appropriate electrical frequency and voltage is applied. The expansion and contraction cause its ultrasonic diaphragm, with is the pressure-sensing element of the transducer, to vibrate. This introduces ultrasonic activity into the area around the transducer. Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers produce high electroacoustic efficiency while minimizing heat generation. Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers are typically made of piezoelectric ceramic.
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the disruption of biofilm and algae growth on underwater structures.
A system for the disruption of biofilm and algae growth on an underwater structure surface may include one or more ultrasonic actuators.
In preferred embodiments, the piezoelectric transducers, the front mass, the back mass, the back receiving portal, and the preloader can have any suitable shape. Piezoelectric actuators are manufactured in many different shapes and include those that may be described as generally circular, plate-like, or hollow cylindrical. The piezoelectric crystal can be made into any suitable shape. Similar shapes can also be stacked together to magnify the motion of the ultrasonic actuator.
In order to protect against water, in additional preferred embodiments the actuator 10 from
The system for disruption of biofilm and algal growth should have the one or more ultrasonic actuators placed in proximity to the underwater structure surface on which the biofilm and algae growth is to be disrupted. The distance should be close enough to allow the surface to receive the ultrasonic frequency produced by the ultrasonic actuators.
An algae incubator system to simulate subsea conditions can be constructed. The incubator will have space to house various subsea pipeline components and various key environmental parameters and can be actively controlled, including temperature, lighting, and currents/waves. By changing the water through a water pump, the salinity of the water in the incubator can also be changed.
Small metallic components can then be placed within the incubator along with a species of microbes and algae that are common pests in the subsea oil and gas industry. Through adjusting the incubator parameters, the algae can be encouraged to form colonies on the surface of the testing components. In order to test the effects of ultrasound, water proofed ultrasonic actuators containing piezoelectric transducers (PZTs) can then be installed on the component to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The following properties of the PZT installation and vibration excitation can be tested: frequency, power, and distance (i.e., the distance of the actuator from a colony on the surface or across a distance of water). The viability and growth rate of biofilms and algae can be tested by varying these properties. The effect can be assessed through visual inspection and through cell counting methods. The control experiment will be done in parallel in which a component will be placed in an incubator without ultrasound disturbance. Other experiments in which ultrasound is introduced at different stages of fouling will also be carried out. The results from can then be used to optimize actuator placements to maximize the inhibition of biofilm and algae growth on actual subsea components.
An ultrasonic disruption system to inhibit biofilm and algae growth can be utilized to disrupt the growth of microbes and algae in the algae incubator system, and its design can be optimized based on data showing favorable excitation frequency and placement of ultrasonic actuators based on algae growth rate.
The following documents and publications are hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/494,409 filed Sep. 16, 2019, which is a 371 of International application No. PCT/US2018/023249 filed Mar. 20, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/474,810, entitled “Systems and Methods for Disruption of Biofilm and Algal Growth,” filed Mar. 22, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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20100126942 | Thottathil | May 2010 | A1 |
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WO-0158750 | Aug 2001 | WO |
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20230054218 A1 | Feb 2023 | US |
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62474810 | Mar 2017 | US |
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Parent | 16494409 | US | |
Child | 17980185 | US |