Hull cleaning
MEOX has developed its own unique patented washing system where air is oscillated into the water jet, also called cavitation cleaning.
We supply equipment for washing hulls, rafts and several other special applications.
Cavitation washing is possible with both low and high pressure. On seines, Sintef has tested that even with 200 bar, this type of washing is far more effective and gentle than washing with 80 bar conventional washing. Others have tested that with cavitation washing at 60-80 bar, hulls can be washed without separating copper waste from the bottom lining.
The washing system is basically gentle on everything as the jet consists of large amounts of air.
With a combination of reduced pressure and little water, you can still wash cleanly and gently and reduce diesel consumption by up to 80% compared to regular high-pressure washing. We also have machines that collect dirt from washing.
See below for more details.
Cavitation cleaning
New and patented for cleaning rigs, with many times more effect.
Cavitation is for most people known for damages to propellers and pump housings. If you have ever seen a propeller completely eaten up by cavitation you know the power of it.
It is air bubbles that form on the propeller blades and then collapse that eat away at the metal. We use the same principle for washing. We add air to the water flow and transport the bubbles out to the hull wall.
There, it is the air bubbles that do most of the washing work by knocking the weeds loose.
Laboratory tests have shown that washing with cavitation provides many (typically 5-10) times greater effect than regular high-pressure washing at the same pressure.
Very little water
We normally use nozzles with a size of 1,4 – 1,7 mm, and low pressures. This means you need very little water, i.e. you save a lot of energy on the water pump/smaller pump.
With 1.4 nozzles and a pressure of 80 – 90 bar, we typically manage with 190 l of water. If you are going to wash with a nozzle of 2 mm or larger, you will quickly need between 500 – 600 l.
This means that we can wash with two rigs on a pump that provides 600 l.
It is very cost-effective, space-saving and produces much less noise.
Low pressures and small amounts of cleaning water ensures all other components involved in the cleaning like swivels etc. has a much longer life span.