Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/20409
Title: The generation of cavitation for the removal of fouling on submerged structures using high power ultrasonic transducers
Authors: Lais, Habiba
Advisors: Wrobel, L
Gan, T-H
Keywords: Ultrasonics;Cleaning;Fouling removal;Numerical modelling;Vibration analysis
Issue Date: 2019
Publisher: Brunel University London
Abstract: The accumulation of fouling is a well-known problem in industry which can occur on various different structures depending on the surrounding environmental conditions. The removal of this fouling can be very costly and has resulted in many attempts to mitigate, monitor and remove fouling accumulation in a cost-effective manner. As mitigating techniques cannot guarantee 100% fouling removal of a structure, another approach is to detect and monitor the fouling accumulation to assist in carrying out de-fouling procedures. Current detection methods such as PIGging can also require halts in production to carry out monitoring. In recent years, the application of Ultrasonic Guided Waves (UGW) for fouling detection has been recognised as a promising and non-invasive technique; however, its research is still in its early stages. To complement a non-invasive fouling detection technique, the application of high power ultrasounds has gained much attention from the industry for in-situ fouling removal. Much research has been conducted to advance the knowledge on the potential uses of ultrasonics across different fouling applications, primarily in reverse osmosis membranes and heat exchangers. However, improvements of the in-situ ultrasonic fouling removal technique has not yet been investigated and is also in its infancy. This research arises as a continuation from the InnovateUK funded CleanMine project and as part of the InnovateUK funded HiTClean project. This thesis elaborates on the fundamentals of High Power Ultrasonic Transducers (HPUT) used for generating acoustic cavitation bubbles for achieving ultrasonic cleaning. This knowledge is used in the development of a Finite Element (FE) model which is validated using experimental characterisation of the impedance. The HPUT FE model is used to further understand the design and development of sonotrode attachments for future improvements of the ultrasonic cleaning technique. The FE model is expanded for the prediction of cavitation generation to determine cleaning patterns and is validated in laboratory conditions. By utilising controlled fouling generation capabilities, fouling detection using UGW is investigated and an FE model is used to further characterise variables that can quantify the detection of fouling accumulation with potential applications of monitoring fouling removal. The FE method for fouling removal predictions is used to optimise an HPUT configuration for achieving long-distance fouling removal coverage on a 6.2 meter long, 6 inch diameter schedule 40 (168 mm outer diameter and 7.11 mm wall thickness) carbon steel pipe. The confirmed 4-HPUT configuration is developed for laboratory validation and demonstrates wave propagation up to ±3 meters from a single HPUT location.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/20409
Appears in Collections:Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dept of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
FulltextThesis.pdf8.86 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in BURA are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.