Office/Division Program
TAP
Project Number
4
Research Initiation Date (Award Date)
Research Performing Activity
Daedalean Associates, Inc.
Research Principal Investigator
Dr. A. P. Thiruvengadam
Research Contracting Agency
Description
To harness the destructive forces of cavitation erosion in a water jet nozzle for cleaning underwater structural joints.
Latest progress update
Complete. A hand-held, gun-like device was tested by divers on an offshore navigation structure. Cleaning rate to bright metal on 6-year marine growth was 1 square foot per minute. Slight thrust from the jet was experienced, there was not much turbulence in the water to obscure the divers' view. If manufactured for production, the luger-like device needs to be lightened to about one-half its present weight, which appears feasible.