Ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention is widely anticipated within the next 12 months. As a consequence, ship owners are evaluating as a matter of some urgency which ballast water treatment technology is best suited to both their existing and new ships. Recognizing that no one solution will be suitable across all ship types, sizes and environmental conditions, Hamworthy’s dedicated ballast water research and development team has developed two different treatment solutions to provide customers with greater flexibility and choice. The product range is referred to as AQUARIUS.
Dr Joe Thomas, Managing Director, Hamworthy Ballast Water Systems points out: “We are currently the only OEM offering a choice of ballast water treatment solutions to both the new build and retrofit markets. We believe this gives our customers every confidence that by working with Hamworthy they will be able to find the technology best suited to their particular needs. ”The AQUARIUS -UV system is a two stage approach with filtration followed by disinfection using ultraviolet light, and so does not use any active substance. As there is no detrimental effect on water quality, ballast water can be safely discharged from the ballast tank at any time. Furthermore, to ensure maximum disinfection, UV treatment is utilised during the discharge cycle, as well as on ballasting.
In developing the AQUARIUS -UV system, Hamworthy has formed a strategic partnership with UK-based Hanovia, a specialist in UV system design and manufacturing. Hamworthy has assumed overall responsibility for performance compliance against the required regulatory standards, with the UV system being an essential component to integrate with Hamworthy’s ballast water management solution. Hamworthy is also marketing its AQUARIUS -EC Ballast Water System, which similarly employs a two stage approach, but in this case disinfection using an active substance, generated using side stream electro-chlorination. Hamworthy is collaborating with Magneto Special Anodes for the development of advanced electrolysis technology. Upon de-ballasting, the system neutralises any remaining active substance using sodium bisulfite, ensuring that the ballast water can be safely discharged back to the sea. Dr Thomas says: “Both systems provide a robust solution for the treatment of ballast water across a range of challenging ship operating end environmental conditions, exceeding the required IMO standards. We have also adopted a modular approach to system design in both cases so that equipment can be flexibly arranged to suit conditions onboard. Furthermore, both the AQUARIUS systems are designed and supplied to treat ballast water across a full range of ballast pump sizes.”