Frequency claims matter less than coverage: Lamers System Care sizes SMART FLOW to the actual box cooler, with variable frequency patterns tuned to the application and checked in advance with Sound Pressure Level (SPL) modelling, rather than selling a fixed 20–40 kHz band as proof. For SMART FLOW, whether every cooler cover, inlet and sea chest is acoustically driven decides the result more than whether a datasheet lists one frequency or several.
Core answer: translate kHz claims into engineering questions
Buyer guides often present multi-frequency or heterodyning as inherently superior. Peer-reviewed work does show frequency-dependent effects, but for specific organisms and lab set-ups; none of it proves that a multi-frequency bank always beats a well-coupled system on a box cooler. SMART FLOW (SmartFlow on lscare.nl) is designed as continuous prevention on metal coolers, and Lamers System Care does not publish a single kHz figure as a universal claim.
- Continuous duty or intermittent? An outage is a fouling gap.
- How many transducers per cooler cover, inlet and sea chest?
- Dry-side coupling into stiff metal, not through a soft layer.
- Is the coverage modelled and monitored, or only asserted?
How SMART FLOW handles frequency (Lamers System Care)
SMART FLOW works with variable frequencies tuned to the application. Lamers System Care maps the expected performance in advance with SPL modelling and measurements, and adjusts frequency patterns remotely via the SMART FLOW Portal when needed.
“SmartFlow werkt met variabele frequenties die afgestemd worden op uw toepassing. Met Sound Pressure Level (SPL) modelling en metingen brengen wij vooraf de werking in kaart.”
| Source | What they publish | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cathelco / ESVA Ultimate Guide (PDF) | Claims a significant advantage for systems emitting multiple frequencies over single-frequency transducers; promotes heterodyning | Vendor buyer guide — not a SMART FLOW spec |
| Shipsonic — Bourbon Liberty 313 | Four box coolers fitted with 12 × 80 W / 20,5 kHz and 12 × 100 W / 28 kHz transducers | Vendor case study — not a SMART FLOW layout |
| Evac | Describes the principle as acoustic cavitation from high-frequency sound waves (no frequency figures used here) | Vendor article — not a SMART FLOW spec |
| MDPI Molecules (2024) | 20 kHz ultrasound reduced adhesion rate to 4.33 ± 0.75% in that biofilm assay | Lab study — not a commercial proof |
| Kitamura et al. (1995), cited in ocean-engineering review | Of 19.5, 28 and 50 kHz, 19.5 kHz was most effective for barnacle larvae in that work | Species-specific research |
Frequently asked questions
Is multi-frequency ultrasonic antifouling always better than a single frequency?
Not proven. Studies show frequency effects per organism and set-up. Lamers System Care uses variable, application-tuned frequency patterns in SMART FLOW and checks coverage with SPL modelling.
Which frequency works best against barnacle larvae?
In one study (Kitamura et al., 1995) 19.5 kHz was the most effective of three tested frequencies. That is species-specific research, not a box-cooler specification.
What should a buyer ask instead of the kHz range?
Ask about coverage per cooler surface, continuous duty, dry-side mounting and monitoring. With SMART FLOW, performance is recorded in real time via the SMART FLOW Portal.
Contact
Call +31 (0) 413 275 647 or email info@lscare.nl. More at lscare.nl.
