What?
The Pulse Laser Cleaning project has been initiated to evaluate the potential of pulse laser cleaning for the maintenance of naval vessels. This advanced technique uses pulsed laser beams to clean surfaces and could offer an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods in dry docks. The team is investigating the effectiveness, applicability, and user-friendliness of this method for various ship components, including decks, valves, propeller blades, and more.
Why?
The maintenance of naval vessels is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, often with a significant environmental impact due to the use of chemicals and abrasives. Pulse laser cleaning offers the possibility to accelerate and make this process more sustainable.
By researching this technique, Belgian Defence aims to improve operational efficiency while reducing its ecological footprint. Furthermore, the correlation between the equipment’s power and the required time in the cleaning process is being examined.
How?
The research is conducted through a structured testing process:
- Collaboration: The team is collaborating with a supplier of pulse laser equipment for testing purposes.
- Tests: Tests are being performed on eight different ship components, with specific scenarios to assess effectiveness, duration, accessibility, material compatibility, safety, and ergonomics.
- Analysis: Data on cleaning quality, duration, and user experience are being collected and analyzed.
- User Requirements: Based on the test results, key user requirements are being established for the integration of this technology into operational procedures.
- Survey: The progress of these tests is being carried out through a survey that testers must follow meticulously in various test iterations.
Result
The ongoing tests will provide insight into the optimal parameters for pulse laser cleaning, the necessary training for operators, and the potential time savings and environmental benefits. Initial tests show that the laser’s power has a significant impact on cleaning time, but other factors such as wavelength and pulse duration also play a role.
The final results of the survey will determine the applicability within defence and describe the unique needs of the Belgian Navy, enabling them to prepare more effectively for the commercial procurement process.
