Sonihull
Alfa Laval Sonihull is a simple and effective biofouling management solution built with ultrasonic anti-fouling technology. Without biocides or cleaning chemicals, it reduces the need for mechanical cleaning by keeping hulls and other submerged surfaces free from algae, barnacles and other organisms. By preventing increased drag and safeguarding the performance of propellers, coolers and other key equipment, Sonihull promotes energy efficiency and rapidly pays itself back through fuel savings.
Modern biofouling management with ultrasound
- Effective prevention of biofouling – without releasing biocides, microplastics or other harmful substances into the environment
- Significant fuel savings when applied to hull and propulsion systems
- Reduced downtime and costs through prolonged intervals between mechanical cleanings
- No disturbance to crews, vessel structures, sonar or electronic equipment
- Easy installation without dry docking – no through-hull fittings
Sonihull ultrasonic anti-fouling technology is the world’s leading chemical-free biofouling management solution. Backed up with decades of experience in the maritime industry, it has a proven track record on thousands of commercial vessels.
Features that make Sonihull a smarter and easier anti-fouling solution
Sonihull combats biofouling without potentially harmful substances, major equipment or manual labour. It safeguards efficiency and extends the time between mechanical cleanings. So its impact on your vessel is measured in fuel, time and money saved.
A smarter and easier anti-fouling solution
Sonihull combats biofouling without potentially harmful substances, major equipment or manual labour. It safeguards efficiency and extends the time between mechanical cleanings. So its impact on your vessel is measured in fuel, time and money saved.
A barrier to invasive species
Besides protecting uptime and energy efficiency, Sonihull’s ultrasonic anti-fouling technology helps preserve aquatic ecosystems. By keeping organisms from attaching to the hull, sea chest and more, and it prevents them from being transported to new ecosystems. This reduces the risk of spreading invasive species.
No disturbance to other systems
Inaudible to vessel crews, Sonihull is also the preferred choice to minimize disturbance to instrumentation and other electronics. Thanks to its low level of electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise, it has no impact on sonar or other vessel systems.
Easy installation on any vessel
Sonihull involves no through-hull penetrations, which means no dry docking is needed for installation. From marine-grade aluminium and stainless steel mounting rings to a wide range of adapters, there are options for attaching to different surfaces and structures according to vessel requirements.
Scalable flexibility
A Sonihull system can comprise up to 16 independent transducers, which allows multiple surfaces and types of equipment to be protected with a single control unit. The transducers can connect from up to 100 m away with no loss in performance, and individual transducers or groups can act as independent systems running different ultrasonic tracks.
Low maintenance costs
Wherever Sonihull is installed, it reduces the need for cleaning-in-place (CIP) and extends the interval between mechanical cleanings – often from months to years. But the system itself is also easy and cost-effective to maintain. For example, there are no expensive impressed current anodes to replace.
How Sonihull works
Sonihull uses ultrasound to create microscopic agitation, which has a gentle but continuous effect. It keeps hulls and equipment clean by eliminating microorganisms on wetted surfaces. This stops biofilm from forming, which makes the surfaces less inviting for larger organisms. Likewise, the microscopic movement of the water prevents barnacle and mussel larvae from attaching.
The agitation is caused by non-inertial cavitation, a low-energy process that produces no shockwave and no risk of surface erosion or pitting:
- Sonihull generates acoustic pulses in targeted ultrasonic frequencies, which are transmitted through the material the transducers are attached to.
- The pulses create an oscillating pattern of decreasing and increasing pressure on the material surface.
- Microscopic bubbles form as the pressure drops and implode as the pressure increases.
Anti-fouling on larger vessels
Sonihull ultrasonic anti-fouling technology offers significant advantages on tankers, cargo vessels, cruise ships, naval vessels and more. Here, even a small difference in propulsion or cooling efficiency means major savings in fuel costs and emissions. Sonihull Xtreme offers flexible coverage for even the largest vessels, with advanced algorithms and intelligent thermal management for dynamic performance optimization.
Anti-fouling on small and mid-sized vessels
Smaller vessels are often more exposed to biofouling, due to low speeds, frequent idling and operation in warmer waters. Sonihull ultrasonic anti-fouling technology maintains efficiency and operational readiness on support vessels, fishing boats, ferries, tugs, pilot boats, superyachts and more. Sonihull is both easy and cost-effective to deploy, providing full protection of the hull and critical seawater systems.
Sonihull anti-fouling applications
Sonihull ultrasonic anti-fouling systems can be used in a wide range of applications, both outside and inside your vessel. Wherever you use Sonihull, you can count on fast payback through savings in fuel costs and maintenance.
Hull
Sonihull prevents bioaccumulation on the hull, reducing the need for coatings and mechanical cleaning. By protecting hydrodynamic efficiency, it lowers fuel consumption and improves Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings.
Propulsion systems
Sonihull protects propellers, thrusters and waterjets without biocides, extending cleaning intervals. Compared to an uncleaned propeller over a five-year period, it delivers up to 3% fuel savings (Source: Glofouling GEF-UNDP-IMO, 2022).
Sea chests
Sonihull keeps sea chests clean, which safeguards cooling efficiency and minimizes the risk of transporting potentially invasive species. Compared to impressed-current technology, it saves both CAPEX and OPEX.
Strainers and pipework
Sonihull keeps strainers and pipework free from fouling, maintaining the performance of critical engine cooling water systems. Without chemicals or mechanical cleaning, it prevents build-up even in hard-to-reach areas.
Coolers and freshwater generators
Sonihull extends maintenance intervals and sustains high efficiency in box, plate and shell-and-tube coolers, as well as freshwater generators with similar technologies. By reducing chemical and manual cleaning, it leads to lower OPEX.
Looking for solutions to prevent biofouling on your vessel – and in your specific applications? Turn to us for tailored support and discover how Sonihull can optimize protection and performance.
Biofouling, energy efficiency and CII
Biofouling affects vessel energy efficiency in multiple ways. When organisms accumulate on the hull, they add drag that increases fuel consumption and emissions directly. But biofouling can also form on other wetted surfaces, such as in the sea chest or within cooling systems. This decreases the performance of cooling and other processes, causing further energy losses – and possibly loss of uptime.
Sonihull combats biofouling on all submerged surfaces. It optimizes hydrodynamics when installed on the hull and propeller, but it also saves energy in many engine-related systems. This makes it an effective way to reduce fuel consumption and improve Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings.
Performance protected by Sonihull
By using Sonihull to prevent biofouling, shipowners achieve lasting cooling efficiency and improved propulsion performance – while also reducing maintenance. The outcome is clear: higher uptime, lower operational costs and rapid payback through significant fuel savings.
Direct comparison shows more effective cooling
A Turkish shipping company put Sonihull to the test on a 1 600 TEU container vessel. Two coolers, one with Sonihull and one without, operated side by side for eight months. When the two were compared, the results were startling. The cooler with Sonihull showed less biofouling and stronger cooling performance – dropping temperature by 4 °C vs 2 °C. This proved beyond a doubt that higher efficiency is possible with less cleaning and maintenance.
Permanent relief from costly cooling issues
The owner of a ten year old Turkish passenger ferry faced persistent overheating, caused by severe biofouling in the sea chest and box cooler. Unplanned dry docking offered short term relief, but it came at a high cost. So the owner installed Sonihull on both components – and the problems disappeared. When the vessel was inspected after 18 months, it was clear why. Thanks to the Sonihull protection, there was almost no fouling at all.
Rapid payback through propeller efficiency
A Greek VLCC owner noticed rising fuel consumption after each propeller polish – around 1.5% higher just six months after service. To combat the problem, the owner installed Sonihull in the stern tube. Through the immediate impact on marine growth, propeller cleaning intervals could be extended by months. Above all, the fuel consumption remained steady. In just four months, the Sonihull system paid itself back through fuel savings.
Propellers – unprotected
Barnacles, algae and hard deposits impair efficiency
Propellers – protected
Clean surfaces retain their hydrodynamic properties
Box coolers – unprotected
Biofouling build-up inhibits effective heat transfer
Box coolers – protected
Clean surfaces provide high cooling efficiency
Sea chest grating – unprotected
Biofouling build-up obstructs water inflow
Sea chest grating – protected
Free flow of water maximizes cooling potential
Alfa Laval Marine Service
Worldwide and 24/7, Alfa Laval Marine Service is your path to greater uptime, optimized performance and true peace of mind. Our network is always on call, and our service offering brings reliability, efficiency and compliance throughout your equipment's lifetime.
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