Bubble Curtain

A bubble curtain is a pneumatic barrier that forms a continuous wall of rising air bubbles from the seabed to the water surface. Unlike traditional aeration systems designed primarily for oxygen transfer, bubble curtains are used as invisible barriers to block, guide, or shield elements in water while still allowing vessels and marine life to pass through.

By introducing a dense curtain of bubbles, these systems exploit the contrast between air and water density to disrupt sound waves, redirect suspended particles, and influence movement within the water column.

Key benefits include:

• Absorbing and scattering underwater noise during offshore piling, dredging, or construction to protect marine mammals.
• Limiting the spread of suspended silt and sediment during dredging or seabed works.
• Guiding floating pollutants like plastics and oils toward collection points in rivers and harbors.
• Steering fish away from turbines, intakes, or hazardous zones without physical barriers.

While effective in principle, conventional bubble curtain systems often face operational and durability challenges:

• Uneven Air Distribution: Pressure loss along long hose runs causes bubbles to concentrate near the air source, leaving weak or inactive zones.
• Biofouling and Clogging: Barnacles, algae, and marine growth clog micropores, increasing back-pressure and reducing effectiveness.
• Limited Acoustic Performance: Standard diffuser hoses produce fixed bubble sizes that may not effectively absorb specific sound frequencies.
• Durability in Harsh Conditions: Strong currents, abrasion, and seabed movement can damage rigid or low-strength tubing.