High-Density Hose for Underwater Bulk Liquid Transfer (HD-HUBLIT)

Transferring hydrocarbon fuels and water from ship to shore is a common and vital expeditionary operation performed using long, reinforced hoses known as Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS) hoses. ABLTS hoses float on water. By remaining exposed to the ambient environment without specific protection, the hoses can easily be damaged, whether by surface craft, sea motion, adverse weather or saboteurs. As a result, NAVFAC desires a sinking ABLTS hose to mitigate these issues. ADA Technologies has partnered with Angus Fire, Appleton Marine and Hose Solutions to design and build an initial prototype for a sinking hose, called the HD-HUBLIT. This prototype will be short (3 ft long) but in all other respects representative of the envisioned product. Efforts in Phase I will emphasize buoyancy modeling of the hose before fabrication of small square wall coupons. This coupon fabrication will lead to the selection of the design and materials for the HD-HUBLIT prototype. The prototype may be a single or double jacket hose. It will be tested in a water tank for negative buoyancy and its flexibility will be evaluated. This data will support and demonstrate the viability of the hose designed at that point.