WARRENDALE, PA, Dec. 17, 2014 -- The NSF International Independent Laboratory (IL) has announced that it will begin the testing of Evoqua Water Technologies' SeaCURE™ ballast water management system (BWMS) in preparation of the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) full type approval. The SeaCURE BWMS system has already received International Maritime Organization type approval and USCG alternate management system acceptance for capacities of 300-4,000 m3/h in all salinities. NSF testing is anticipated to be complete by fall 2015.
NSF is the first IL to be accepted by the USCG for BWMS testing and is leading a partnership that includes Retlif Testing Laboratories, the Maritime Environmental Resource Center and the Great Ships Initiative (GSI) to test and evaluate BWMS systems for USCG requirements.
Land-based testing of the SeaCURE BWMS will begin with the start of the biological season in brackish water in spring 2015 in Baltimore, Md., and will be followed by seawater tests in Norfolk, Va. Freshwater testing will be conducted by the GSI and is scheduled to be completed by late summer 2015. Shipboard testing will be conducted concurrently and is expected to be finalized by fall 2015.
The SeaCURE system utilizes a patented process that first injects biocide into ballast seawater before it reaches the large surface filter intakes to reduce the growth of marine organisms that can clog the filters. Next, Chloropac concentric tubular electrodes (CTE) generate sodium hypochlorite from the natural salinity in seawater, which eliminates the need to purchase biocides and store or replenish them onboard.
Ship owners also benefit from low energy requirements and reduced maintenance costs due to the self-cleaning feature of the Chloropac CTE system. Proprietary control logic monitors the biocide dose level necessary to provide the required efficacy depending on ballast water conditions. Chloropac electrodes have been proven in more than 2,500 installations worldwide for nearly four decades.
The SeaCURE system is available as a compact skid or as modular components depending on customer requirements for installation in new builds and existing ships. It is particularly well-suited for retrofit installations because biocide generation takes place in a small side stream from the ballast water main to minimize footprint and maximize available space.
The side stream generation method offers advantages for installation on tankers because the modules can be placed in a way that only the filter and analyzer module are installed in the hazardous area of the cargo pump room, while the main parts of the system remain in the safe area. The SeaCURE system is also offered through Damen Shipyards' worldwide One Stop BWT Retrofitting Service.
See also:
"U.S. Coast Guard grants AMS acceptance for ballast water treatment system"
"American Bureau of Shipping now included in NSF independent lab for U.S. Coast Guard"
About Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
Evoqua Water Technologies is a leader in water and wastewater treatment products, systems and services for industrial, marine and municipal customers. Its comprehensive, cost-effective and reliable treatment systems and services reduce fresh water demand, ensure uninterrupted quantity and quality of water, and enable regulatory and environmental compliance. With a wide range of proven product brands and advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies, mobile and emergency water supply solutions and service contract options, Evoqua helps cities provide clean water and industrial plants to maintain productivity and profitability. For more information, visit www.evoqua.com.
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