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...Scrubbing away at biofouling...
...Scrubbing away at biofouling...
Poseidon's Bidet
Poseidon's Bidet
Undersea Mechanical Cleaning Device
Undersea Mechanical Cleaning Device
University of California San Diego
University of California San Diego
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Sponsored by OceanWell
Sponsored by OceanWell
About
About
The Goal
The Goal
Construct prototype to determine the optimal method for cleaning biofouling.
Left: Oceanwell's design inspiration for this project
Background
Background
OceanWell is a BlueTech start-up working with the goal of developing an environmentally safe supply of drinking water for water-stressed places.
OceanWell's water farms utilize the hydrostatic pressure of the ocean to desalinate seawater with...
Up to 40% less energy use age compared to traditional desalination
No marine life mortality
No brine outfall
No onshore plant (Land Use: 1 acre vs. 35-55 acres per mm3/day)
What is Biofouling?
What is Biofouling?
Biofouling is the accumulation of living debris on subsea surfaces.
It can include macro-scale organisms like plants and small animals, and microscopic growth, including algae.
Biofouling presents an ongoing challenge to undersea devices, as continual growth impedes function.
The Challenge: Biofouling is clogging OceanWell's seawater intake, halting desalination.
The Challenge: Biofouling is clogging OceanWell's seawater intake, halting desalination.
Project Objectives
Project Objectives
Build a mechanical device for cleaning biofouling using:
Build a mechanical device for cleaning biofouling using:
Rotating Brush
Water Jets
Linear Motion System
Easily Interchangeable Parts!
Final Design
Final Design
Poseidon's Bidet
Poseidon's Bidet
Featuring:
Adjustable brush spin speeds
Interchangeable brushes and nozzles
Programmable linear motion
Promotional Video
Promotional Video
PoseidonsBidetPromo.mp4Features
Features
Performance
Performance
Cleaned 100% of Biofouling in testing trials!
Cleaned 100% of Biofouling in testing trials!
Percent cleaned was calculated through image analysis using ImageJ.
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