The effect of cavitation bubbles on the removal of juvenile barnacles

• Ultrasonic cavitation damaged or removed marine biofouling organism of barnacle.
• The mechanism was explored using spark generated bubbles and high speed photography.
• The efficiency of cavitation bubble on barnacle removal was dependent on the dimensionless distance H′.
• Barnacle was more easily and completely removed at younger ages.

The effect of cavitation bubbles on the removal of juvenile barnacles was documented using high speed photography. Using spark generated bubbles, the interaction between barnacle and cavitation bubble was examined in detail. The liquid jet generated by the bubble collapse was observed to be directed towards barnacle at different impact intensities, which is related to the dimensionless distance H′ (H′ = H/Rm), where H is the distance between bubble formation point and the top of barnacle, and Rm is the maximum bubble radius. At lower values of H′, higher speed liquid jet was produced; consequently a larger impact pressure was generated. In general, barnacles are more easily removed at a younger stage. In older barnacles, the liquid jet impact was only able to remove the barnacle shells, leaving the base plate attached to the surface. This study indicates that cavitation can be used to remove attached barnacles, and it would be more efficient if it is applied during early stages of fouling, before the formation of hard calcareous structures.

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