Remotely OperatedCleaning Machine – ROCM
Safe and rapid marine growth removal from power plant cooling water intakes.
Overview
Safe cooling water intake cleaning operations at minimal power plant downtime
As part of a major overhaul project at Hong Kong’s Black Point Power Plant, the cooling water intakes were scheduled to be cleaned. The square-shaped intakes were subject to significant (bio-)fouling, which resulted in an increased wall roughness and reduction of the inner pipe diameter. The consequential reduction in available cooling capacity resulted in head loss, which led to a cutback in overall capacity.
The customer’s main concern – to perform the cleaning job safely and at a minimum power plant downtime – required the design of a dedicated underwater cleaning machine. Its task: to remove and transport the 25-centimeter-thick layer of marine growth (mussels) within a minimum time span. During the development stage, Seatools developed and tested various cleaning principles before selecting a scraper-based principle for the final design of this highly automated cleaning machine. The remotely operated machine proved very successful: the ROCM cleaned a 400-meter-long tunnel in as little as 80 hours.
- Project scope
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- Design and delivery of two complete autonomous cleaning machines including power supply and control container
- Project duration
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- 6 months
The ROCM removed a 25-centimeter-thick layer of marine growth in a 400-meter-long power plant cooling water intake in as little as 80 hours. How can we maximize your cleaning operations?
Features & Specifications
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Facilitates safe cleaning operations
The ROCM eliminated the need for dangerous diver-performed cleaning operations.
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Minimum power plant downtime
The high level of installed power, highly automated cleaning operations, and effective cleaning principle facilitated large cleaning capacities, which yielded a minimum of power plant downtime.
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Highly automated cleaning operation
Only one operator is required to monitor the fully automated process. Sensors inform the operator of the machine’s status and its performance, allowing for process speed optimization.
Specifications
- Type of equipment: ROV for marine growth removal
- Purpose: Cleaning of power plant cooling water intakes
- Drive configuration: Hydraulic - electric
- Installed power: 140 kW
- Range: 420 meters
- Maximum channel dimensions: 2.5 m x 2.5 m (rectangular)
Multimedia
Yet again, Seatools proved able to perform a complex project within a very short time frame. The manufacturing of the ROCM was completed in as little as 6 months: from signing the contract to factory acceptance.
The ROCM incorporates a highly innovative cleaning principle utilizes scrapers to cope with a thick layer of biofouling, predominantly consisting of mussels.
With its rotating scrapers, operated by an automated regime and at controlled force, the vehicle cleans the walls and ceiling of the intake space.
Contact
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH OUR EXPERTS?
CONTACT FORM
OTHER CHANNELS
- General
- +31 (0) 186 68 00 00
- info@seatools.com
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- +31 (0) 186 68 00 00
- sales@seatools.com
- Service (outside office hours, emergency only)
- +31 (0)186 65 00 75