The company said that the new reactor enables new configurations with fewer components and gives considerable energy savings. In addition, the system has formally received IMO type approval from DNV GL.
Since its launch in April 2013, Alfa Laval’s PureBallast 3.0 has enjoyed tremendous success. Offering space savings of 50% and energy savings of up to 60% over previous versions, the system has gained a high acceptance among customers worldwide, including both Asian and European shipyards, Alfa Laval claimed.
A key reason for this is the system’s flexibility, which is now increased by the release of the new reactor. “The intermediate PureBallast 3.0 reactor complements our existing 300 and 1,000 cu m per hour sizes, enabling even more compact and energy-efficient ballast water treatment,” said Per Warg, Alfa Laval’s business manager responsible for PureBallast.
Further flexibility is provided by Bollfilter as a new alternative to Hydac for the PureBallast 3.0 filter.
The key advantage claimed with the PureBallast 500 and PureBallast 600 configurations is a reduction in system components. Previously, two 300 cu m per hour reactors were needed for these flow rates.
The IMO type approval was announced by DNV GL on 14th February. Although PureBallast 3.0 uses the same core technology as its predecessors, a new approval was necessary, due to the major advances between versions 2.0 and 3.0.
“Alfa Laval is pleased to have formal IMO type approval for PureBallast 3.0, even if our customers have been confident all along,” Warg said of the announcement. “It confirms what our data has always shown, namely that PureBallast 3.0 performs as well or better than previous type-approved versions.”
The tests forming the basis for DNV GL’s decision were conducted at the DHI testing institute in Denmark. Since these were conducted according to both IMO and ETV protocols, they also lay the groundwork for future US Coast Guard approval.
While USCG approval for PureBallast 3.0 is still some way off, it appears closer due to a potential resolution of conflicting treatment definitions.
In contrast to IMO legislation, the USCG Ballast Water Discharge Standard defines treatment as effective when no organisms survive the treatment process. This has been a problem for UV-based systems like PureBallast, which kill many organisms outright but render others non-viable by making them unable to reproduce.
“In principle, the US authorities have been willing to accept a broader definition of effective treatment, since organisms that cannot reproduce pose no threat to their host environment,” explained Warg. “However, the USCG has questioned the reliability of methods for measuring non-viability. Together, we’ve been working to remove those doubts.”
“Alfa Laval is engaged in regular dialogue with the USCG and we are confident that the issue of definition will be resolved in the near future. In the meantime, we are pleased to have IMO type approval for PureBallast 3.0 and an extremely strong position in today’s ballast water treatment market,” Warg said.