Ship Surface Decontamination via Lock Structure Inflatable Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for addressing ship surface fouling by invasive species are inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful, particularly due to the need for extensive treatment processes and energy consumption, and the challenge of safely neutralizing treatment solutions before discharge.
Innovation Solution
An immersion system using a lock structure with an inflatable bladder creates a treated water layer with increased pH and specific gravity to decontaminate ship surfaces while in the water, minimizing energy consumption and downtime, and ensuring effective neutralization of invasive species without harming non-invasive species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surface coatings are used to prevent fouling, then fouling prevention is effective, but toxic effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the treatment solution by using food-grade hydrogen peroxide (35-38% concentration) combined with sodium hydroxide to create a highly alkaline environment (pH 12-14) that is effective against fouling organisms without the toxic effects of traditional biocides. This parameter change allows effective fouling prevention while eliminating toxicity concerns.
2Reliability
If large quantities of treatment solution are used to cover large ship surface areas, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption for mixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by injecting the treatment solution directly into the ballast water tanks where it disperses naturally through the water circulation system. This eliminates the need for extensive mechanical mixing equipment and reduces energy consumption while ensuring adequate distribution of the treatment solution across large ship surface areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment solution leverages the ship's existing ballast water circulation system to distribute itself throughout the tanks. The natural flow and circulation of ballast water provides the mixing action needed to disperse the treatment solution uniformly, eliminating the need for separate mixing operations and reducing energy requirements.
3Reliability
If pH adjustment methods are used to kill invasive species, then species eradication is effective, but neutralization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses food-grade hydrogen peroxide as the primary treatment agent, which naturally decomposes into water and oxygen after performing its function. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex neutralization systems because the treatment solution breaks down harmlessly on its own, simplifying the overall process while maintaining effective species eradication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful high pH condition into a beneficial self-neutralizing process. The hydrogen peroxide decomposition and subsequent formation of water and oxygen transforms the harsh chemical environment into a safe one automatically, eliminating invasive species while simplifying neutralization requirements.
4Reliability
If ships are driedocked to treat surface fouling, then thorough treatment is achieved, but downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical process of drydocking and manual surface treatment with a chemical treatment system applied to the ship while it remains in the water. The treatment solution is injected into the ballast tanks and circulates through the hull, providing thorough fouling treatment without requiring the ship to be removed from the water, thus eliminating downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment solution is applied in advance during normal ship operations by injecting it into the ballast tanks. This preliminary action allows the chemical treatment to work on surface fouling before it becomes a severe problem, maintaining ship performance without requiring scheduled drydocking interruptions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively kills invasive species on ship surfaces while reducing energy costs and downtime, and ensures safe neutralization of treatment solutions before discharge, thereby controlling the spread of invasive species and protecting ecosystems.
Implementation Method 1
An immersion system using a lock structure with an inflatable bladder creates a treated water layer with increased pH and specific gravity
Implementation Method 2
The pH level of water in ballast tanks is commonly adjusted to create an environment that is lethal to aquatic organisms. One way to adjust the pH level is to add a basic or acidic substance to the water.
Implementation Method 3
Another way to lower the pH level is to add CO2 to the water. The CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3); hence acid is being added to seawater, thereby acidifying it.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an immersion system for decontamination of ship outer surfaces while a ship is located in a lock structure. The lock structure is modified with an inflatable bladder and shortened containment gates. When the ship enters or exits the lock structure, the inflatable bladder is deflated before opening the containment gates. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, a lower treated fluid layer sinks and water adjacent to the lock structure enters the lock through wall ports to create an upper fluid layer on which the ship enters. When the ship is located in the lock structure and the containment gates are closed, the inflatable bladder is inflated. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the lower treated fluid layer rises and surrounds the ship surface to kill invasive aquatic species.