Device and method for removing marine growth from metal surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for removing marine organisms from metal surfaces. A ground electrode and a reference electrode are used to generate a potential difference signal on the metal surface of a target device. This potential difference signal is used to detect whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface. If marine organisms are attached, a logic program controller controls a bubble simulation generator to generate a bubble pulse signal. Under amplification by a current power amplifier, the signal is discharged through a discharge electrode to generate bubbles that remove marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device. This application integrates automatic detection and discharge removal, allowing for convenient and timely removal of marine organisms attached to metal surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrochemistry, and in particular to a device and method for removing marine organisms from metal surfaces. Background Art

[0002] When metal equipment that comes into contact with seawater, such as ships, steel piles on offshore platforms, and metal aquaculture tanks, is immersed in seawater for a long time, a large number of marine organisms will adhere to the surface. These marine organisms can affect the normal operation of the equipment and therefore need to be removed.

[0003] Most of the existing cleaning methods are physical cleaning, that is, scraping with cleaning tools, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and also requires the equipment to be fished out or stopped for cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for removing marine growth from metal surfaces to solve the problems of the background technology.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a device and method for removing marine growth from a metal surface, comprising:

[0007] Reference electrode, immersed in the electrolyte environment;

[0008] A ground electrode, immersed in the electrolyte environment and connected to the metal surface of the target device;

[0009] a marine organism attachment detection module connected to the reference electrode and the ground electrode, and configured to detect a potential difference signal between the reference electrode and the ground electrode;

[0010] a logic program controller, connected to the marine organism attachment detection module, configured to determine whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal, and to generate a first control signal and a second control signal when marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device;

[0011] a bubble simulation generator, connected to the logic program controller, and configured to generate a bubble pulse signal for generating bubbles based on the first control signal;

[0012] a current power amplifier, connected to the logic program controller and the bubble simulation generator, and configured to amplify the bubble pulse signal based on the second control signal;

[0013] The discharge electrode is arranged on the metal surface of the target device and connected to the current power amplifier, and is used to discharge the surface of the target device based on the amplified bubble pulse signal to generate bubbles to peel off the marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, a DC power supply is further included, which is connected to the marine organism attachment detection module, the logic program controller, the bubble simulation generator, and the current power amplifier, and is used to power the marine organism attachment detection module, the logic program controller, the bubble simulation generator, and the current power amplifier.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present application, a display screen for displaying the potential difference signal is further included, and the display screen is connected to the logic program controller.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present application, the marine organism attachment detection module is provided with two relay signal output ports, and the two relay signal output ports are respectively connected to the sound and light alarm module and the manual operation module.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present application, the reference electrode is made of zinc or silver chloride, and the discharge electrode is made of pure titanium or a carbon rod.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present application, the output end of the current power amplifier is connected to a first metal clip and a second metal clip through cables, respectively. The first metal clip is used to clamp the discharge electrode, and the second metal clip is used to clamp the ground electrode.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present application, a current transformer is further included, and the current transformer is used to detect the output current of the discharge electrode and feed it back to the logic program controller.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present application, the bubble simulation generator includes multiple bus ports and multiple switch ports. The bubble simulation generator is connected to the logic program controller through the bus ports, and the switch ports are used to output alarm indication signals.

[0021] The present application also provides a method for removing marine growth from a metal surface, comprising:

[0022] S1, detecting a potential difference signal between a reference electrode and a ground electrode, wherein the reference electrode and the ground electrode are both immersed in an electrolyte environment, and the ground electrode is connected to a metal surface of a target device;

[0023] S2, determining whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal, and generating a first control signal and a second control signal when marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device;

[0024] S3, generating a bubble pulse signal for generating bubbles based on the first control signal;

[0025] S4, amplifying the bubble pulse signal based on the second control signal;

[0026] S5, discharging the surface of the target device based on the amplified bubble pulse signal to generate bubbles to peel off the marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device;

[0027] S6, again detecting the potential difference signal between the reference electrode and the ground electrode, and judging whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the re-detected potential difference signal. When marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device, generating a first control signal and a second control signal and returning to step S3; when marine organisms are not attached to the metal surface of the target device, ending the process.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present application, determining whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal includes:

[0029] Whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device is determined by using a pre-established corresponding relationship and the potential difference signal, wherein the corresponding relationship is pre-fitted through experiments.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a device and method for removing marine organisms from metal surfaces utilizes a ground electrode and a reference electrode to generate a potential difference signal on the metal surface of a target device, and utilizes the potential difference signal to detect whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface. If marine organisms are attached, a logic program controller controls a bubble simulation generator to generate a bubble pulse signal, which, under the amplification of a current power amplifier, is discharged through a discharge electrode to generate bubbles that remove marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device. This application integrates automatic detection and discharge removal, and can conveniently and promptly remove marine organisms attached to metal surfaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a marine growth removal device for a metal surface according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2This is a flow chart of a method for removing marine growth from a metal surface in another embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 3 This is an experimental comparison diagram of the metal surface of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 This is an experimental comparison diagram of the propeller of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless they conflict.

[0037] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings only show the layers related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of the layers in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each layer can be changed arbitrarily, and the layer layout type may also be more complicated.

[0038] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of the embodiments of the present invention; however, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, a marine growth removal device for a metal surface in the present application includes a reference electrode, a grounding electrode, a marine growth attachment detection module, a logic program controller, a bubble simulation generator, a current power amplifier and a discharge electrode;

[0040] The reference electrode is immersed in the electrolyte environment;

[0041] The ground electrode is immersed in the electrolyte environment and connected to the metal surface of the target device; a relative potential is generated between the reference electrode and the metal surface, providing a reference for the attachment of marine organisms.

[0042] The marine organism attachment detection module is connected to the reference electrode and the ground electrode, and is used to detect a potential difference signal between the reference electrode and the ground electrode; and transmit the potential difference signal to the logic program controller;

[0043] The output end of the marine organism attachment detection module is connected to the reference electrode input end and the ground wire through wires. The ground wire is connected to the metal where the marine organisms are attached. It is used to detect the potential difference between the reference electrode and the metal surface. The output DC potential difference is 0-1000mV, and the output voltage accuracy is 1mV.

[0044] The marine organism attachment detection module is connected to the logic program controller via a bus for transmitting a potential difference signal;

[0045] The marine biofouling detection module has two relay signal output ports for sound and light alarms and manual operation. The alarm threshold or manual operation function can be set by three buttons on the module.

[0046] a logic program controller connected to the marine organism attachment detection module, configured to determine whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal, and to generate a first control signal and a second control signal when marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device;

[0047] The logic program controller serves as the "brain" of the device. It receives signals from the detection module and then controls the bubble simulation generator to produce bubble pulse signals that match the metal material. It controls the size and total number of bubbles and controls the current power amplifier to output the corresponding large signal current. In addition, it also serves as the electrical protection of the device.

[0048] The logic program controller has a built-in single-chip microcomputer, which calculates the attachment status of marine organisms by receiving the potential difference signal from the marine organism attachment detection module and using a corresponding algorithm based on the material of the metal surface. The algorithm program can be selected and set through the buttons on the module; the algorithm in this application has been experimentally tested and fitted to obtain the corresponding relationship between the potential difference signal and the attachment status of marine organisms.

[0049] The logic program controller can be set to different operating modes. There are three main operating modes: automatic mode, manual mode, and monitoring mode. Automatic mode allows the entire program to be fully automated, including potential detection, algorithm calculation, pulse type selection, current amplification factor selection, and control of the entire feedback process of marine growth removal. Manual mode allows each process to be selected using the corresponding buttons on the panel. Monitoring mode only monitors marine growth adhesion and transmits data externally through the bus port.

[0050] The logic program controller has multiple bus ports and passive switching ports. The bus ports are used for both control and communication. It has three control bus ports, connecting to the marine biofouling detection module, the simulated bubble generator, and the current power amplifier. There is one communication bus port for signal acquisition and transmission, and another for debugging. The passive switching ports are primarily used for alarm protection and operating status indication.

[0051] A bubble simulation generator is connected to the logic program controller and is used to generate a bubble pulse signal for generating bubbles based on the first control signal;

[0052] The analog bubble generator is connected to the logic program controller via a bus. It receives commands from the logic program controller and generates a corresponding pulse width signal, which is then transmitted to the current power amplifier via the bus. The analog bubble generator has multiple bus ports and digital ports, responsible for receiving and sending commands and debugging, respectively. The digital port serves as an alarm indicator.

[0053] A current power amplifier is connected to the logic program controller and the bubble simulation generator, and is used to amplify the bubble pulse signal based on the second control signal; the current power amplifier is used to amplify the bubble pulse current signal to control the size and amount of bubbles between the metal surface and the marine organisms;

[0054] The current power amplifier is equipped with a large current output terminal, which is connected to two metal clips through a pair of 10 square millimeter cables. One clip is connected to the discharge electrode as an anode, and the other is connected to the metal surface as a cathode, forming a loop with seawater as the conductive medium.

[0055] In addition, the current power amplifier is connected to an external current transformer, which receives the current from the discharge electrode in real time and transmits it to the logic program controller for feedback regulation and protection, accurately controlling the size and number of bubbles on the metal surface while preventing external short circuits from burning the current power amplifier.

[0056] The current power amplifier is connected to the analog bubble generator and the logic program controller through a bus, receives their information, and amplifies the waveform output by the analog bubble generator according to a certain ratio.

[0057] The discharge electrode is arranged on the metal surface of the target device and connected to the current power amplifier, and is used to discharge the surface of the target device based on the amplified bubble pulse signal to generate bubbles to peel off the marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device; the discharge electrode is connected to the anode of the current power amplifier to provide a large current, generate a large number of bubbles for the metal surface, and peel off the marine organisms attached to the metal surface.

[0058] In this application, there are two types of seawater electrodes: a reference electrode connected to a simulated bubble generator via a wire, and a discharge electrode connected to a current power amplifier via a wire. The reference electrode is stable and corrosion-resistant, accurately providing a reference potential, and is typically made of high-purity zinc or silver chloride. The discharge electrode is stable and resists electrochemical corrosion and oxidation, and is typically made of pure titanium or a carbon rod.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present application, a DC power supply is further included, which is connected to the marine organism attachment detection module, the logic program controller, the bubble simulation generator, and the current power amplifier, and is used to power the marine organism attachment detection module, the logic program controller, the bubble simulation generator, and the current power amplifier.

[0060] The DC power supply provides the high-power current required for the entire device, up to 5kW at 36V, and also provides control power. The DC power supply, through fuses, provides 24V DC power to each module within the device and also delivers a high-discharge current of up to 140A to the current amplifier. This high-current output is isolated from the operating power ports of other modules.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present application, a display screen for displaying the potential difference signal is further included, and the display screen is connected to the logic program controller. The display screen can display the current detected potential difference signal with a display accuracy of 1mV.

[0062] The present application also provides a method for removing marine growth from a metal surface, comprising:

[0063] S1, detecting a potential difference signal between a reference electrode and a ground electrode, wherein the reference electrode and the ground electrode are both immersed in an electrolyte environment, and the ground electrode is connected to a metal surface of a target device;

[0064] S2, determining whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal, and generating a first control signal and a second control signal when marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device;

[0065] S3, generating a bubble pulse signal for generating bubbles based on the first control signal;

[0066] S4, amplifying the bubble pulse signal based on the second control signal;

[0067] S5, discharging the surface of the target device based on the amplified bubble pulse signal to generate bubbles to peel off the marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device;

[0068] S6, again detecting the potential difference signal between the reference electrode and the ground electrode, and judging whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the re-detected potential difference signal. When marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device, generating a first control signal and a second control signal and returning to step S3; when marine organisms are not attached to the metal surface of the target device, ending the process.

[0069] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of a method for removing marine growth from a metal surface in another embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 Shown, including:

[0070] Immerse the metal surface in an electrolyte environment, not limited to seawater, and use the electrolyte in the water to form an electrochemical pathway.

[0071] Before electrochemistry occurs, the reference electrode and discharge electrode are placed in the same electrolyte environment as the metal to which the marine organisms are attached.

[0072] Connect the anode clamp of the device to the metal surface and the cathode clamp to the discharge electrode, and start the pre-electrolysis mode. After a certain period of time, replace the clamps and start the normal electrolysis mode.

[0073] After the first stage of electrolysis is complete, the bubble simulator detects the presence of marine organisms using a reference electrode. If the potential does not reach the set value, the second stage of electrolysis will automatically proceed until the potential reaches the set value. The set value is set in the logic program controller and can be adjusted for different metals.

[0074] Figure 3 This is the experimental comparison diagram of the metal surface of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown in the figure, in the experiment, the metal surface was electrified for about 3 hours with a current of about 10A. The left picture shows the metal surface before electrification, and the right picture shows the metal surface after electrification. It can be seen that the present invention can effectively remove rust from the metal surface.

[0075] Figure 4 This is the experimental control diagram of the propeller of this application, such as Figure 4 As shown in the experiment, the propeller surface was energized for approximately 90 minutes at a current of 12A-15A. The left image shows the propeller surface before energization, and the right image shows the propeller surface after energization. This demonstrates that the present invention is able to effectively remove marine growth from the propeller surface.

[0076] The present application discloses a device and method for removing marine organisms from metal surfaces. This device utilizes a ground electrode and a reference electrode to generate a potential difference signal on the metal surface of a target device. This potential difference signal is then used to detect whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface. If marine organisms are present, a logic program controller controls a bubble simulation generator to generate a bubble pulse signal. This signal is then amplified by a current power amplifier and discharged through a discharge electrode to generate bubbles that remove marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device. This application integrates automatic detection and discharge stripping, making it possible to conveniently and promptly remove marine organisms attached to metal surfaces.

[0077] In the above embodiments, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments of the present invention, many replacements, modifications and variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the foregoing description. The embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover all such replacements, modifications and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

[0078] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical principles disclosed herein are intended to be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for removing marine growth from a metal surface, characterized in that: include: Reference electrode, immersed in the electrolyte environment; A ground electrode, immersed in the electrolyte environment and connected to the metal surface of the target device; a marine organism attachment detection module connected to the reference electrode and the ground electrode, and configured to detect a potential difference signal between the reference electrode and the ground electrode; a logic program controller, connected to the marine organism attachment detection module, configured to determine whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal, and to generate a first control signal and a second control signal when marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device; a bubble simulation generator, connected to the logic program controller, and configured to generate a bubble pulse signal for generating bubbles based on the first control signal; a current power amplifier, connected to the logic program controller and the bubble simulation generator, and configured to amplify the bubble pulse signal based on the second control signal; The discharge electrode is arranged on the metal surface of the target device and connected to the current power amplifier, and is used to discharge the surface of the target device based on the amplified bubble pulse signal to generate bubbles to peel off the marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device.

2. The device for removing marine growth from metal surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a DC power supply, which is connected to the marine organism attachment detection module, the logic program controller, the bubble simulation generator, and the current power amplifier, and is used to power the marine organism attachment detection module, the logic program controller, the bubble simulation generator, and the current power amplifier.

3. The marine growth removal device for metal surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a display screen for displaying the potential difference signal, and the display screen is connected to the logic program controller.

4. The marine growth removal device for metal surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The marine organism attachment detection module is provided with two relay signal output ports, and the two relay signal output ports are respectively connected to the sound and light alarm module and the manual operation module.

5. The marine growth removal device for metal surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reference electrode is made of zinc or silver chloride, and the discharge electrode is made of pure titanium or a carbon rod.

6. The marine growth removal device for metal surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the current power amplifier is connected to a first metal clip and a second metal clip through cables, respectively. The first metal clip is used to clamp the discharge electrode, and the second metal clip is used to clamp the ground electrode.

7. The device for removing marine growth from a metal surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a current transformer, which is used to detect the output current of the discharge electrode and feed it back to the logic program controller.

8. The device for removing marine growth from metal surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bubble simulation generator includes multiple bus ports and multiple switch ports. The bubble simulation generator is connected to the logic program controller through the bus ports. The switch ports are used to output alarm indication signals.

9. A method for removing marine growth from a metal surface, characterized in that: include: S1, detecting a potential difference signal between a reference electrode and a ground electrode, wherein the reference electrode and the ground electrode are both immersed in an electrolyte environment, and the ground electrode is connected to a metal surface of a target device; S2, determining whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal, and generating a first control signal and a second control signal when marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device; S3, generating a bubble pulse signal for generating bubbles based on the first control signal; S4, amplifying the bubble pulse signal based on the second control signal; S5, discharging the surface of the target device based on the amplified bubble pulse signal to generate bubbles to peel off the marine organisms attached to the surface of the target device; S6, again detecting the potential difference signal between the reference electrode and the ground electrode, and judging whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the re-detected potential difference signal. When marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device, generating a first control signal and a second control signal and returning to step S3; when marine organisms are not attached to the metal surface of the target device, ending the process.

10. The method for removing marine growth from a metal surface according to claim 9, characterized in that: Determining whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device based on the potential difference signal includes: Whether marine organisms are attached to the metal surface of the target device is determined by using a pre-established corresponding relationship and the potential difference signal, wherein the corresponding relationship is pre-fitted through experiments.

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