Ballast Water Treatment Research Articles

Research on the energy efficiency of the multiphase nanosecond pulsed discharge system with TiO2 photocatalysis

Energy efficiency of the system is always paid more attention in the research of the discharge plasma’s application technology. Based on the project of ballast water treatment technology by multiphase nanosecond pulse discharge cooperated with photocatalysis, the nozzles-plate electrode was adopted, system energy and energy efficiency were investigated with different discharge factors and compared when the nozzles were coated with the titanium dioxide (TiO2) film or not. The results show that cooperating with the photocatalysis, pulsed discharge system power and energy efficiency were not significantly affected. Reactor power increases with the absolute value of the input high voltage and pulse repetition frequency and decreases with the distance between the nozzles and the plate. There are no obvious effects of the numbers of the nozzles and the air flow rate. Energy efficiency of the system increases with the absolute value of the input high voltage, firstly, then decreases. It changes inversely with the air flow rate. The energy efficiency of the system decreases with the pulsed repetition rate and the distance between the nozzles-plate. It was up to 25.7% with the input voltage of - 30 kV, and the air flow rate of 80 mL/min, pulse repetition frequency of 50 Hz and 6 nozzles- plate distance of 0.5 cm.

A simple technique to mitigate microplastic pollution and its mobility (via ballast water) in the global ocean

Ballast water transport is considered as one of the major vectors for dispersal of microplastics around the global oceans. In this commentary, a simple, inexpensive solution has been proposed to reduce microplastic pollution and its mobility via ballast water. A screening chamber (with stainless steel three layered mesh) is proposed to be attached to the existing Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTSs) in cargo ships to filter back-flushed sea water from BWTSs. The three layered screens (500, 300 and 100 μm) will not only avoid clogging and easy separation of different size groups of microplastic particles but also help in smooth discharge of water to the sea. This technique is expected to remove a large number of microplastic particles (ranging from 0.0015 to 1020 million) from a single voyage. The proposed chamber may help to collect 0.0003–204 metric tons of particles/day, depending upon the geographical location of ballast intake in the global ocean. These estimations were made by considering a daily turnover of 0.033 billion tonnes of ballast water globally. This proposed screening chamber attached to the existing BWTSs in cargo ships, along with other region-specific ocean cleaning initiatives, will help in mitigating microplastic pollution in the global ocean.

Characterization of marine dissolved organic matter and its effect on ozonation

As the marine industry develops, the importance of seawater treatment process is increasing. To treat seawater, oxidation processes have primarily been used, such as ballast water treatment systems, aquaculture farm operations, aquarium management, and seawater desalination. However, dissolved organic matter in seawater, whose characteristics vary spatially and seasonally, affects the efficiency of oxidation processes. Therefore, in this study, seawater samples were acquired from various locations in the Republic of Korea to understand the spatio-temporal patterns of marine dissolved organic matter. It was reported that the characterization of marine dissolved organic matter using liquid chromatography—organic carbon detector and excitation-emission matrix—parallel factor modeling. Furthermore, the effects of marine dissolved organic matter were evaluated on ozonation, an oxidation process. The results demonstrate that marine dissolved organic matter varies in its aquagenic, pedogenic, and intermediate characteristics based on region and season. These variations affect ozonation by influencing the consumption of oxidants (e.g., bromine). As a result, it was concluded that characterizing marine dissolved organic matter can help improve the effectiveness of oxidation processes, particularly ozonation.

Технология очистки и обеззараживания балластной воды

The paper considers the problem of transferring microorganisms with ballast water used in the ship operation. It is noted that the search for a solution to the above problem takes a significant amount of time and requires developing special purifying equipment for disinfecting ballast water. Currently, there are various plants ensuring the decreased number of microorganisms in the process of disinfection. There has been proposed a new technology for ballast water treatment and decontamination that involves depositing microorganisms, removing them from the total volume of ballast water followed by ozone treatment. Actually, the volume of water containing sediment and decontaminated with ozone is significantly less than the total volume of ballast water and makes up about 3-5% of it. Microorganisms depositing takes place due to coagulation and sedimentation. The diagram of the ballast water purification and disinfection technology has been presented. The basic circuit of the ballast water disinfection plant includes a ship's ballast tank, receiving pipeline, reagent tank, metering pump, coagulant, collector, bulkhead, contact column, ozone generator, dehydration device and ultraviolet lamps. The operating conditions of the ship plants have space and time limits. The above technological solutions infer carrying out some operations (coagulation, sedimentation) and disinfection by using the ultraviolet lamps inside the ballast tanks for saving space. The proposed technology can be applied both on board a ship and in the floating or onshore environmental protection equipment, for example, in the port facilities.

Ship Ballast Water Treatment

Ships use ballast water to ensure their buoyancy and stability. A significant amount of them is transported in various water basins of the World Ocean. Thus, together with ballast water, many microorganisms, phytoplankton and zooplankton are transported. The constant increase in the number of ships in the World Merchant Navy increases the risk of the spread of these invasive species in the local aquatic environment. This led to the decision of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to legalize the control and treatment of ships' ballast water in order to minimize the risks of the spread of these invasive species.. Their transfer through ballast water to a new water environment is estimated as one of the 4 largest treats for the World Ocean. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediments plays an essential role in the control of ballasting and de-ballasting processes. It regulates the D-1 and D-2 standards, as well as various ballast water treatment systems. Improving the possibility of subsequent change in the application of invasive species, the only way to solve this problem, is to fully prepare for ballast water and to develop alternative methods to ensure the buoyancy and resilience of ships.

Systems of environmental innovation: sectoral and technological perspectives on ballast water treatment systems

The research on innovation in the maritime sector has commonly focused on the implementation of innovation rather than on more complex issues such as the interplay between technological aspects, market conditions, and, particularly, regulatory regimes in shaping the emergence and growth of global systems involved with the development, production, and use of environmental innovation. Therefore, this paper sets out to analyze—by combining insights from sectoral (SSI) and technological (TIS) systems of innovation concepts—ballast water treatment systems (BWTS), designed to prevent the negative impacts of invasive species, as an example of such complex interaction. The results show how public policy and institutional acceptance have shaped the market for BWTS. First, BWTS were induced by environmental regulations mandating their use. Second, the demand for BWTS increases substantially when the implementation date of the regulations approaches. Third, differences in regulatory regimes shape the demand for various available technologies. Without coordinated regulations, this unclear operating environment remains a definite concern for shipowners when choosing the specific type of BWTS technology for onboard installation. The results also underline that the combined SSI/TIS framework, utilized in this paper, is a feasible analytical framework for studying environmental innovation.

A STUDY ON SELECTION OF BALLAST WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET BWM 2004 CONVENTION

Ballast water is essential for ship operation. However, it also carries potential risks of contamination and disease transmission. The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) was introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to minimize the transfer of pathogenic microorganisms to ecologically sensitive marine areas, through ballast of ocean-going ships. Therefore, thorough research and analysis of ballast water treatment technologies are essential. This paper summarizes the existing technologies applied for ballast water treatment. These technologies can be port-based or ship-based, with the latter being easier to implement. Particular attention is given to onboard processing methods, which can be classified as physical separation, mechanical or chemical methods. This work describes recent ballast water treatment studies from the scientific and academic communities since the last IMO Convention in 2004, and the treatment methods that have been approved by the IMO substantially and ultimately. We have examined the various methods currently available in scientific means for ballast water treatment and we conclude that standardization of ballast water treatment still has to be done to ensure IMO Standards.

Feasibility Study on Shore-based Treatment Technology of Ship’s Ballast

The International Convention on the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediment on Ships officially entered into force for our country on January 22, 2019. The Convention stipulates a series of requirements for the compliant discharge of ballast water. Compared with the ship’s own ballast water treatment facility, the ballast water bank-based treatment facility has the advantages of economy, environmental protection, and stability. In order to improve my country’s ability to implement the Ballast Water Convention and promote the construction of my country’s green ports, discussion and research on ballast water bank-based treatment technologies are necessary. This article describes the main methods of receiving and processing ship’s ballast on water and shore, analyzes the prospects and existing problems of receiving and processing ballast on water and on shore, and puts forward relevant suggestions for research on ballast water and shore treatment technology.

A STUDY OF SHIP BALLAST WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES

Ballast is a commonly used solution to ensure the stability and balance of ships during voyages. The volume of ballast water that is circulated by ships between different seas is extremely large, with which a lot of creatures move along. Organisms that follow the ballast water to a new environment mostly have a negative impact on the ecosystem there. Good ballast water management is an important measure to ensure that organisms do not migrate with the ballast water to other areas. Ballast water management requires specific regulations and regulatory policies that are relevant and applicable globally. The International Convention on the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Ship Sediments, adopted in 2004, has specified issues for ballast water management. Ballast water treatment technologies and techniques need to be studied so that the ballast water after treatment meets the requirements of the convention. This paper presents an overview of the technological and technical solutions currently being applied to treat ballast water to meet the requirements of the convention and points out the advantages and limitations of each solution. In the discussion, the authors also present a solution that combines many different ballast water treatment methods. This is a very effective solution, both technically and cost-effectively. The combined solution can be applied in the future to effectively treat ship ballast water.

A Novel Handheld High-Throughput Device for Rapid Detection of Phytoplankton in Ship’s Ballast Water

Detection of live microalgae is critical to ballast water treatment. A novel handheld high-throughput ballast water rapid detection device based on microfluidic chip and fluorometry for counting single living microalgae cell is demonstrated in this article. The viability of individual microalgae cells can be evaluated and the number of the living microalgae cells in an aqueous solution sample can be obtained at a rate of one milliliter per minute in a fully automatic and real-time manner. It is experimentally confirmed that the detection results of this device are not influenced by free chlorophyll from the lysed microalgae, nor by the salinity and turbidity of the sample within the variation range of ballast water. Furthermore, this device has been used in a port to test the actual ballast water samples processed by ballast water treatment systems based on different principles or loaded at different locations, and the conclusion of this device on the qualification of the ship is consistent with the conclusion of the laboratory standard test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ballast water rapid detection device using a microfluidic chip as the detection platform, which can be used on board of ships for on-site counting the numbers of the living microalgae cells in ballast water.

Scenario-based cost-effectiveness analysis of ballast water treatment strategies

Scenario-based cost-effectiveness analysis of ballast water treatment strategies

Design of shell and tube heat exchanger for ballast water treatment applications on ships based on simulation

Now, environmental issues are the mostly discussed issue and become a top priority in the world. Whether it’s environmental damage or environmental pollution. The issue of pollution and damage to the environment and ecology in the region, which have an impact on living organisms, both humans, animals and plants. Environmental damage and pollution can occur on land, water, and air. With various forms of damage and pollution, the methods of handling are different. This research will focus on damage and pollution in waters as well as methods of handling and prevention, especially in marine waters. This research focuses on designing a heat exchanger by varying its types, namely shell and tube heat exchanger. From the modification of model, it will be known which one is more effective in performance. Both temperature exchange, pressure drop, flow rates, dimensions and materials are simulated by software. Where these parameters are influenced by the characteristics of the ship’s power of main engine. From 2 model of shell and tube heat exchanger that are one pass-shell and two pass-shell the result for case 1 the effectiveness are 92% & 93%, case 2 are 93% & 94% and case 3 are 94% & 95%.

A STUDY ON LEGAL POLICIES AND SOLUTIONS FOR SHIP BALLAST WATER TREATMENT

Shipping plays a very important role in the movement of most goods in the world. Ships are a means of transport used to transport goods at sea. Every day, there are many ships moving back and forth between different seas at a high frequency. Each ship’s voyage can be full, low-load, or no-load. Using ballast water is a long-standing solution used to balance and stabilize ships during voyages. Ballast water is taken into the ship and discharged anywhere in the sea. This means that the organisms in the ballast water can also migrate to any part of the sea. There are beneficial organisms and harmful organisms for the ecosystem in the waters they are brought in. Organisms that grow unprofitably will destroy the stable ecology of the seas they reach. To solve this problem, it is necessary to have appropriate legal policies and solutions to treat ballast water. This short review presents current regulatory policies and solutions for ballast water treatment. Some challenges and prospects for future regulatory policies and solutions for ballast water treatment are also outlined.

Ballast Water Exchange Plus Treatment Lowers Species Invasion Rate in Freshwater Ecosystems.

The movement of ballast water by commercial shipping is a prominent pathway for aquatic invasions. Ships' ballast water management is now transitioning from open ocean exchange to a ballast water performance standard that will effectively require use of onboard treatment systems. Neither strategy is perfect, therefore, combined use of ballast water exchange plus treatment has been suggested to provide greatest protection of aquatic ecosystems. This study compared the performance of exchange plus treatment against treatment alone by modeling establishment rates of nonindigenous zooplankton introduced by ballast water across different habitat types (fresh, brackish, and marine) in Canada. Treatment was modeled under two efficacy scenarios (100% and 50% of ship trips) to consider the possibility that treatment may not always be successful. The model results indicate that exchange plus treatment will be more effective than treatment alone at reducing establishments when recipient ports are freshwater (58 140 vs 11 338 trips until ≥1 establishment occurs, respectively). Exchange plus treatment also serves as an important backup strategy if treatment systems are partially effective (50% of trips), primarily for freshwater recipient ecosystems (1442 versus 585 trips until ≥1 establishment occurs, respectively).

Improving the microalgae inactivating efficacy of ultraviolet ballast water treatment in combination with hydrogen peroxide or peroxymonosulfate salt

Due to the increasing number of ecosystem invasions with the introduction of exogenous species via ballast water, the International Maritime Organization adopted the Ballast Water Convention (BWMC). The BWMC establishes standards for the concentration of viable organisms in a ballast water discharge. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is commonly used for treating ballast water; however, regrowth after UV irradiation and other drawbacks have been reported. In this study, improvement in UV treatment with the addition of hydrogen peroxide or peroxymonosulfate salt was investigated using the microalgae Tetraselmis suecica as the target organism. Results reported that each of these reagents added in a concentration of 10 ppm reduced the concentration of initial cells by more than 96%, increased the UV inactivation rate, and enabled reaching greater level of inactivation with the treatment. These improvements imply a reduction of the UV doses required for a consistent compliance with the BWMC standards.

Regulatory Systems Supporting Innovation: Lessons from the Development of the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention

Abstract The 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) demands the development of new technology in order to ensure improved environmental performance by ships. However, the successful development of innovation through technology requires characteristics missing from the rather conservative shipping sector in general and also from the BWMC as a legal instrument in particular. The authorisations granted under the BWMC with respect to ballast water treatment systems indicate that the innovation cycle was already completed before the adopted performance standards became legally binding. The innovative efforts were restricted to shipbuilding countries and were not accompanied by incentives to develop suitable sampling techniques to ensure efficient implementation. Innovation through regulation requires evolving standards, benefits for innovators and first movers as well as impact assessments on the efficiency of the chosen technological solutions in resolving the environmental problem. A revised BWMC, to be efficient, needs to take these factors into account.

A novel method for the holistic, simulation driven ship design optimization under uncertainty in the big data era

The changing fuel costs, tough and volatile market conditions, the constant societal pressure for a «green» environmental footprint combined with ever demanding international safety regulations setup a completely new framework for commercial ship design. Ballast Water Treatment Systems, the ambitious IMO agenda for de-carbonization of shipping by 2050, the Goal Based Standards and most importantly the revision of the IMO MARPOL Annex VI, constitute a framework with strict and often contradicting requirements. On the other hand, the global economic uncertainty, rapid fleet growth and unsteady demand of commodities create a volatile economic operating environment for shipping companies.Ship design needs to adapt to this new reality. Holistic approaches, with lifecycle considerations, aiming at robust designs are deemed necessary. Such a methodology is presented herein. It is built within the software CAESES and is consisted by a geometrical model core with several integrated modules that cover stability, strength, powering and propulsion, safety, economics, as well as an operation simulation module, enabling the user to simulate the response in variations of the geometrical, design variables of the vessel under uncertainty. The latter is captured in several levels including Economic, Environmental, Operational uncertainty as well as the inaccuracy of the methods themselves.

Ballast Water Treatment Performance Evaluation under Real Changing Conditions

We conducted a shipboard ballast water test using seawater of extreme turbidity collected from Shanghai Port (China) (>300 mg total suspended solids (TSS)/L), and normal seawater collected in other ports (<100 mg TSS/L). All three types of International Maritime Organization (IMO)-approved ballast water management system (BWMS) tested failed to properly operate because of filter clogging or insufficient generation of oxidants under near-fresh water conditions with extremely high concentration of suspended solid during ballasting. It was also found that the number of microorganisms increased with longer ballast water retention time, with higher numbers in the treated discharge water. The results suggest that when operating a BWMS involving a filter unit in areas with water having high concentrations of suspended solids, the filter unit should be used during ballast water discharge, rather than during ballasting. This method has the advantage of removing ≥50 µm organisms at discharge that could not be removed by a filter during ballasting. For ballast water retained for long storage times, the results suggest the use of BWMSs involving UV units or electrolysis during deballasting. In addition, BWMSs involving electrolysis units provide the opportunity to maintain residual total residual oxidant (TRO) levels, using a partial ballast tank. Although the BWMSs tested are a small subset of the large number of IMO-approved BWMSs, the results demonstrate that there is a significant gap between the technology currently available and capacity to meet IMO and US Coast Guard standards.

Membrane desalination of ballast water using thermoelectric energy from waste heat

Ballast water management and treatment is an on-going issue for marine industry including small and bulk carriers, cruise ships, passenger ships and cargo vessels. Several regulations are implemented at regional, national and international levels to minimise the environmental impacts related to improper disposal of contaminated ballast water at ports. In this study, an environmentally benign approach for managing the ballast water on marine vessels is proposed. Thermoelectric energy harvested from main engine’s waste heat is considered as a primary source of energy for a reverse osmosis desalination process, which recovers the ballast water in the form of clean water to provide for fresh water supplies in ships. A case study is presented to elaborate the proposed scheme. The effects of seawater temperatures and energy recovery schemes on the freshwater production rates are also discussed. The proposed scheme provides a promising approach to ballast water management while allowing to provide in situ treatment for its beneficial use in shipping operations.

Green method of stemming the tide of invasive marine and freshwater organisms by natural filtration of shipping ballast water

Marine and freshwater pollution caused by transport of invasive species in shipping ballast water is a major global problem and will increase in magnitude as shipping of commodities increases in the future. An economical method to preclude biological organisms in the seawater used for ballast is to exclude them at the source port. Integrated natural filtration using onshore wells or seabed gallery systems has been thoroughly investigated for use as pretreatment for seawater desalination systems and has proven to be environmentally acceptable and economic. Thus, the use of this proven filtration technology to another issue, ballast water treatment, is an innovative method of providing marine organism free seawater by non-destructive means in port-based facilities. This method is ecosystem-friendly in that no chemicals or destructive processes are used. Design and construction of well or seabed gallery intake systems for production of ballast seawater are feasible in virtually all global port facilities.