Control of biofouling in water pipes using guided waves

包括英国在内的许多国家的水务行业面临的一个主要问题是，大量贻贝附着在管壁内部，造成显著的流动阻力。解决这一问题的一种新的、不含化学物质的解决方案可能是振动管壁，要么克服它们与表面的粘连，要么从一开始就阻止它们的附着。该项目的目的是探索通过向管壁注入“导波”来以一种环保的方式干扰贻贝的可行性。特别是，波能将集中在可移动的目标位置，以补偿由于能量损失而导致的沿管道的衰减，否则会限制执行器的范围。该项目将包括使用半解析和数值技术以及实验室和现场测量来模拟波在充满流体的管道中的传播。

A major issue for the water industry in a number of countries, including the UK, is the attachment of large populations of mussels to the inside of pipe walls causing significant flow resistance. A novel and chemical-free solution to this problem might be to vibrate the pipe wall, either to overcome their adhesion to the surface or to discourage their attachment in the first place.The aim of this project is to explore the feasibility of disturbing mussels in an environmentally friendly manner by injecting 'guided waves' into the pipe wall. In particular, the wave energy will be focused at movable target positions to compensate for attenuation along the pipe due to energy losses which would otherwise limit an actuator's range. The project will involve modelling of wave propagation in fluid-filled pipes using semi-analytical and numerical techniques, and both laboratory and field measurements.