Damen’s New BWTS
Damen launched two new ballast water treatment solutions onto the market, Damen LoFlo and Damen BalCon.
The new solutions are a response to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention 2004, which is edging ever closer to ratification and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Ballast Water Management regulations already in force.
Once the IMO convention passes into legislation, an estimated 60,000 vessels worldwide will require retrofitted treatment systems, Damen said, adding that it is imperative that installation be carried out swiftly and reliably to avoid costly vessel downtime. To meet this goal, Damen has developed standardized systems, using proven technology for a ‘one time right’ approach.
BalCon covers a range of capacity requirements from 100 up to 750 cu. m./hr. Damen developed the system with ballast water treatment equipment from its partner Trojan Marinex and a BioSea version is also in the pipeline. BalCon is designed to use minimal space, with all equipment contained within a single TEU.
This is especially useful when BalCon is to be installed on a container vessel, as the system is purpose-built to fit within the cargo hold. BalCon is also suited to tanker vessels, where the container is installed as a deckhouse. Not only does Damen offer BalCon in an optional explosion proof form for tanker usage, but there is also an option of a booster pump.
Damen LoFlo, powered by BioSea, is designed as a solution for vessels requiring a lower capacity treatment system. Currently, most offerings commence with a capacity to process 100 cu. m./hr., leading to an unnecessarily high energy consumption and bigger footprint. LoFlo is available with either 30 cu. m. or 60 cu. m. capacity, reducing footprint and energy usage. The system is fitted, in a compact arrangement, to a skid for easy and efficient installation on board the vessel. It can also be installed as a modular version. www.damen.com
(As published in the August 2015 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News - http://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MaritimeReporter)