Underwater pipes are key in submarine pipelines and water-based renewable energy technologies. Yet, their use is accompanied by noise and vibrations generated by turbulent flows of fluids in the pipes. Such noise and vibrations impact marine life, initiate fatigue in the pipes. We propose to combine advanced metamaterials and coatings to remove the cause of the problem – turbulence in the flows and thus eliminate its consequences – generated noise and vibrations.

Testing the acoustic characteristics of underwater pipes

We will borrow the prototypes of underwater pipes from the Ocean Grazer company and analyze their dynamic response to estimate the frequencies and magnitudes of vibrations and acoustic noise generated by turbulent water flows in the pipes. We will use the testing facilities of Hanze University, high-precision sensors from Stabi Alert, and the water tank at RUG to run such tests.

Developing metamaterials to eliminate critical turbulence

We will develop the first metamaterials capable of controlling flow turbulence in underwater pipes that have never been done before. Such metamaterial with a precisely engineered microstructure will be placed at the pipe exterior and deliver a dynamic response canceling the critical turbulent components of the flow within the pipe. We will achieve this by combining numerical simulations with our expertise in the design of metamaterials.

Combining metamaterials with acoustic tapes to create silent pipes

The promising designs of the metamaterials will be manufactured and tested at RUG under realistic flow scenarios in cooperation with Hanze and Ocean Grazer. The noise generated by non-critical turbulent components will be attenuated by thin acoustic tapes designed by ATA Mute specifically for underwater pipes. The combination of metamaterials and acoustic tapes will enable unmatched broadband noise reduction for underwater pipes promising for practical implementation.