Biofouling Control

AML Biofouling Control

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

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:

• No toxic chemicals. This simplifies deployment and maintenance while eliminating environmental damage.
• No moving parts and hence greater reliability compared to wipers and plungers.
• Protects complex and delicate surfaces, for which wipers are unsuitable.
• Adjustable LED sub-modules ensure effective coverage of all critical surfaces, regardless of geometry.

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.

Key Benefits

• Environmentally friendly: Does not use chemicals or reactive coatings.
• Reliable: No moving parts, thus no risk of mechanical failure.
• Effectiveness: Range of up to 10 cm.
• Low maintenance.
• Versatile: Attach to a Micro•X to protect any underwater device, including cameras, lights, non-AML sensors and instruments, and much more.
• Non-contact: Will not damage sensitive lenses or other fragile objects requiring protection.

UV-Xchange

Cabled UV

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:

• Third party sensors
• ADCPs
• Camera lenses
• Lights
• Hydrophones
• Sonar heads

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.

Key Benefits

• Environmentally friendly: Does not use chemicals or reactive coatings.
• Reliable: No moving parts, thus no risk of mechanical failure.
• Effectiveness: Range of up to 10 cm.
• Low maintenance.
• Versatile: Can be used to protect nearly any underwater device, including cameras, lights, non-AML sensors and instruments, ADCPs hydrophones, and much more.
• Non-contact: Will not damage sensitive lenses or other fragile objects requiring protection.