Ballast water treatment system (BWTS) manufacturer ERMA FIRST said it has received a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval certificate for its full flow electrolysis ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT on October 18, 2017
“After a long and continuous period of working on the USCG program, we are thrilled to we have managed to fit for purpose. This time our ‘purpose’ was the compliance with the USCG rules. In our core business model, environmental compliance is the key point to any sustainable marine/ocean activity. ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is the first full flow electrolysis BWTS to obtain USCG Type Approval and comply with the latest regulations worldwide,” said Dr. Efi Tsolaki, Chief Scientific Officer at Research & Development Department of ERMA FIRST.
ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is a modular system developed to exceed all special installation requirements either for New Building vessels or any retrofit projects. Covering a capacity range of 50-3740 m3/hr, ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is a solution suitable for all vessel types and sizes. The major components of the system are a high-end backwash filter and an electrolytic cell with outstanding performance under the most demanding conditions. The self-cleaning automatic screen filter has a nominal filtration rate of 40 microns. For the de-ballasting of the vessel there is no need to use the system; It is completely by-passed and the water can be discharged directly overboard, after neutralization where applicable, with considerable gains in energy saving for the operators/managers of the vessel. Using an active substance that is produced by the method of electrolysis, any danger for re-growth of microorganisms is eliminated.
“The units used during the USCG Type Approval process have remained identical since we started. Moreover, no modifications were made to the units already delivered to clients nor will be made to those to follow,” said Helen Polychronopoulou, Business Development Manager of ERMA FIRST.