Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) is a system designed to remove, eliminate and
destroy/inactive biological organisms such as bacteria from ballast water. As such, ship owners need to
exercise discretion, place trusts on BWTS suppliers and conduct full due diligence before selecting the
right system. Ballast water treatment is still evolving technology with an ever-growing number of
manufacturers. This means that there is limited in service experience for the systems being offered and
there is a general understanding that no single system is suitable for all ship types.
TYPES OF BALLAST WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
PHYSICAL METHOD or FILTRATION
Filtrations systems are used to separate marine organisms and suspended solid materials from the
ballast water using sedimentation or surface filtration systems. The suspended/filtered solids and waste
(backwashing) water from the filtration process is either discharged in the area from where the ballast is
taken or further treated on board ships before discharging.
ADVANTAGES DISADVATAGES
Simple, low cost technology to reduce settable Only settable solids
solids and perhaps some microbes for water. and larger microbes
settle efficiently; smaller
microbes do not settle; only
moderate to low microbe
reductions
Effective for the treatment or removal of bigger Surface filtration of smaller micro-organism is not
particles practical.
Hydrocyclone
Hydrocyclone is an effective equipment for separating suspended solids from the ballast water. It is a
high-throughput gravity separation device used for separating slurry particles based on particle weight.
The hydrocyclone is a simple piece of equipment that uses fluid pressure to generate centrifugal force
and a flow pattern.
ADVANTAGES DISADVATAGES
It is easy to install, operate and maintain on Like filtration this treatment is also considered to
board ships. be more effective for larger particles only.
It is an alternative to filtration which has resulted
to be more effective.
UV Treatment method
Ultraviolet purification systems combine physical filtration and UV technology. In such a system,
the ballast water flows through a chamber that is surrounded by UV lights. The UV radiation “sterilizes”
the marine organisms. They become harmless and unable to reproduce. The special light sterilizes the
water in the ballast water tanks.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Fast, efficient and economical technology Intake of huge power consumption
Eco-friendly, safe and chemical free process The bacteria coming from UV BTWS become
harmless and unable to reproduce. But some
other countries like united states that any
organisms released into US waters should be
dead before leaving the vessel, rather than just
made infertile and so and may require longer
holding times to ensure mortality in UV
treatment compartment.
No environmental impact
Independent of salinity which requires minimal
safety issue.
Heat Treatment
The ballast water is heated to a temperature that’s high enough to kill the organisms. A
dedicated heating system can be installed to heat the water in the tank. Alternatively, the ballast water
could be piped to cool the vessel’s engine. The cooling water then becomes heated by the engine’s heat,
and it kills the suspended organisms.
ADVANTAGES DISADVATAGES
This treatment is a slow process, which could also
cause tanks to corrode.
Heat created by backup boiler systems installed
aboard the vessel can be used for this method
CHEMICAL INJECTION SYSTEMS
These systems are often used in combination with filtration. A chemical solution is injected into
the ballast water to ensure disinfection. The disinfectant may be liquid or granular and will sometimes
require neutralization prior to discharge overboard. Some of the active substances which are commonly
used include sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid and chlorine dioxide.
ADVANTAGES DISADVATAGES
Less space on board, making them easier to Having to stock up the supply of chemicals
install than other technologies. regularly also generates additional operational
costs compared to UV or electrolysis systems,
which have electricity as their main cost item.
Require less space on board, making them easier The use of chemicals requires implementation of
to install than other technologies strict safety provisions and crew training.
The chemicals which are used, such as Peraclean
or Purate, are trademarked, and supply might be
limited to specific ports.
ELECTROLYTIC SYSTEMS
Many of these systems also use a filter as a pre-treatment. By passing an electric current through a small
side-stream of seawater, they use the salt and the water molecules in a chemical reaction to generate
sodium hypochlorite, a disinfectant, which is then re-injected into the ballast water to kill all organisms.
ADVANTAGES DISADVATAGES
It is considered as an environmentally friendly This technology that is still under investigation
and not recommended by authorities.
The electrolytic reaction generates small amounts
of hydrogen gas, a factor which needs to be
accounted for in safety considerations.
Electrolytic systems are sensitive to low salinity
and low temperatures, so salt or a heating system
must be added where necessary.
They are more complex to install, control and
maintain compared to UV filter systems.
CHLORINE DIOXIDE
