It is widely understood that a major limiting factor for deployment of sensors for ocean monitoring purposes is biofouling. In recent years, there have been promising investigations into the use of Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation as an antifoulant. This technology is attractive as it is non-contact, non-toxic and mechanically simple.
Fastwave has successfully tested the AML System in Australian waters and found that it offers superior biofouling control when compared to other systems such as mechanical wipers and anti-foul coatings.
Biofouling confounds oceanographic instrumentation. It grows indiscriminately on almost all surfaces, generating sensor errors and obscuring optical systems. Whether one is deploying sensors for long-term, in-situ applications, or using other underwater equipment, fouling lowers the performance of any device left vulnerable to its effects.
UV•Xchange is a subsea module that prevents biofouling during long-term, in-situ deployments. UV•Xchange inhibits marine growth by bathing critical surfaces in ultraviolet (UV) light. Comparative studies show UV•Xchange to be as effective as leading chemical protection methodologies, such as bis(tributylin)oxide (TBT), at eliminating drift due to biofouling in CTDs and multi-parameter instruments.
UV•Xchange offers significant advantages over existing biofouling control technologies:
Like all other members of the Xchange suite of products, UV•Xchange is field-swappable and easily configured to fit the needs of any operation. Installed directly on the end cap of an X•Series instrument, the module can be set to various positions, enabling optimal coverage of any sensors requiring protection. By eliminating biofouling induced drift, UV•Xchange allows sensors to perform to their full potential on in-situ instruments. Install UV•Xchange on an AML instrument for a high performance in-situ CTD.
UV•Xchange can also protect third party devices: cameras, lights, structures, sensors, etc. Simply install the UV•Xchange module onto a Micro•X instrument, point, and apply power to protect.
Cabled UV offers ultimate customization for each unique application. Providing the technology of UV•Xchange in a format that is compatible with almost any device, Cabled UV is biofouling control integrated into the end of a cable, ready to prevent growth on underwater equipment. It is ideal for protecting a broad spectrum of surfaces and devices, such as:
Cabled UV features increased flexibility to accommodate the individual requirements of each deployment. The duty cycle can be set via an external power source, the Duty Cycle Controller, or the Duty Cycle Board for OEM applications.
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