Mobile Cleaning Recovery Recycle System Vehicle (MCRRS)
Unprecedented Flight Deck Maintenance Capabilities
The MCRRS primary role is to restore the coefficient of friction on aircraft carrier non-skid coated surfaces. Cleaning effectiveness has exceeded existing methods by picking up and containing contaminants from the flight decks not recovered on a routine basis. The MCRRS mobile cleaning system can drastically reduce wastewater generation and disposal footprint compared with the manual, labor-intensive SCRUBEX.
The MCRRS was developed with the support of the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Carderock Division, beginning with a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in 2001. It was specifically designed to quickly clean flight deck surfaces on aircraft carriers using only fresh water while producing minimum waste. In early 2019, Triverus won a contract for 43 machines.
The same cleaning and recovery technology now powers the Municipal Cleaning Vehicle (MCV), used by airports and cities to clean parking garages, aircraft ramps and hard-surfaced municipal spaces.
MCRRS Specification Sheet
Coefficient of Friction Test Results
| Non-skid location and condition | COF before | COF after |
|---|---|---|
| USS Bataan: deteriorated and oil/grease stained non-skid | 0.47 | 0.74 |
| Lab: hydraulic oil spill, overnight | 0.304 | 1.146 |
Source: Navy MCRRS flyer (Rev 2, March 2009). Flyer notes: deteriorated and oxidized non-skid, LOC B field evaluation, CVN 69, Norfolk, Virginia, August 21–28, 2006; COF on oil and grease stained area; overnight hydraulic oil spill.
Key Capabilities
Clean Loop® Water Recovery and Reuse
Traditional flight deck cleaning generates large volumes of wastewater that must be collected and disposed of, a significant burden aboard ship. The Clean Loop® process is used to prolong water use for continued cleaning. It uses a pressurized water spray to clean surfaces. Material is recovered and a series of solids classification is done to remove solids from the influent and produce process water for continued cleaning.
Restoring Coefficient of Friction on Non-Skid
Flight decks cannot be slippery. Their coefficient of friction (COF) must be maintained by effective surface cleaning, which involves the complete removal of oils and grease caused by flight deck activities. Petroleum oil lubricants, jet fuel, hydraulic oil and grease also need to be managed without polluting the waters around the ship. The MCRRS restores COF on deteriorated and contaminated non-skid, as shown in the coefficient of friction test results.
Built for Shipboard Flight Operations
The MCRRS was designed for the operational demands of aircraft carrier duty: maneuvering on the flight deck, running on shipboard fuels including JP-5, and cleaning in port without environmental discharge. Its turning radius of under 14 feet and three steering modes let it work around the complex geometry of a flight deck. Systems are delivered to L-class amphibious carriers, which carry personnel, helicopters and F-35/Harrier jump jets, and to CVN nuclear carriers.
Long-Lifecycle Design
The MCRRS is designed with long-lifecycle conventions rather than commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) standards: durable construction, stainless components and high factors of safety. Quick Engine Change (QEC) allows true plug-and-play power plant redundancy.
MCRRS in Action
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MCRRS compare to manual SCRUBEX methods for flight deck cleaning?
MCRRS cleaning effectiveness has exceeded existing methods by picking up and containing contaminants from the flight decks not recovered on a routine basis, and it eliminates the need for SCRUBEX. Manual SCRUBEX is labor intensive and generates large volumes of wastewater. The MCRRS reuses water for an entire cleaning shift and produces more concentrated waste streams for reduced disposal volume.
What coefficient of friction improvement can be expected after MCRRS cleaning?
COF improvement depends on initial surface condition and contamination type. In testing on the USS Bataan, deteriorated and oil/grease stained non-skid was cleaned from a COF of 0.47 to 0.74. In laboratory testing of an overnight hydraulic oil spill, COF was restored from 0.304 to 1.146.
Is there a Triverus vehicle for airports and municipalities?
Yes. Triverus leveraged what it learned from the Navy to develop the Municipal Cleaning Vehicle (MCV), which has been sold to airports and cities. MCVs are used to clean parking garages, aircraft ramps and hard-surfaced municipal spaces. Contact Triverus to discuss your application.
How does Clean Loop® reduce wastewater disposal requirements aboard ships?
The Clean Loop® process classifies recovered solids from 1/4 inch down to 5 microns and produces process water for continued cleaning, so the MCRRS reuses water for an entire cleaning shift. Waste is concentrated into smaller, more concentrated waste streams instead of large volumes of contaminated wastewater, reducing the disposal footprint.
Who developed the MCRRS?
Triverus developed the MCRRS with the support of the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Carderock Division, after receiving a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in 2001. Through Phase 1, 2 and 3 SBIR awards, Triverus built a prototype, deployed prototype units aboard ships in 2003 and 2004, and in early 2019 won a contract for 43 machines.