Ballast water treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a side-stream type ballast water treatment apparatus for collecting some seawater flowing through a main pipe between a sea chest and a ballast tank, electrolyzing same, and then injecting the treated seawater into the main pipe, the apparatus comprising: a side pipe which branches off from the main pipe so as to collect some of the seawater flowing through the main pipe, and which supplies the collected seawater back to the main pipe; and an electrolytic bath, which electrolyzes the seawater flowing into the side pipe so as to produce an oxidizing agent, wherein the side pipe includes: a bypass pipe for connecting the main pipe and an inlet side of the electrolytic bath; and an electrolytic bath pipe connected to the bypass pipe and embedded in the electrolytic bath, the electrolytic bath pipe passing through the main pipe.

Description

Ship ballast water treatment system

[0001] The present invention relates to a side-stream type ballast water treatment device for ships, and more particularly, to a ballast water treatment device for ships that does not require a gas removal device for removing hydrogen gas generated in an electrolytic cell.

[0002] Typically, cargo ships transporting cargo at sea operate on one-way voyages, with the exception of those that operate round-trip voyages for the exchange of similar cargo. After sailing fully laden on the one-way voyage, ballast water is introduced on the return voyage to improve balance, safety, and maneuverability.

[0003] During this process, ballast water is filled at one port, transported to another, and then discharged into the new port through deballasting. Thus, the release of marine organisms and pathogens contained in ballast water brought from distant locations not only poses a risk to the new environment, but can also pose a risk to both humans and animals in the new port.

[0004] Specifically, introducing non-native marine organisms into a new ecosystem can have devastating effects on native flora and fauna, which may not have natural defenses against the new species. Furthermore, harmful bacterial pathogens, such as cholera, may be present in the original port. These pathogens can multiply within ballast tanks over time, causing disease in the area where they are released.

[0005] To eliminate the risks posed by these marine organisms and pathogens, ballast water treatment devices are used to sterilize ballast water by electrolyzing the ballast water or injecting chemicals into the ballast tank.

[0006] Here, ballast water treatment devices include a full-scale treatment method that electrolyzes the entire ballast water, and a side-stream method that extracts a portion of the ballast water, electrolyzes it, and then re-injects the treated ballast water into the pipes. Among these, a ballast water treatment device using the full-scale treatment method does not require a degassing device because there is no concern about hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer leaking from the main pipe. However, a ballast water treatment device using the side-stream method requires a degassing device to discharge the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer because the distance between the electrolyzer and the main pipe is far, and there is a concern about hydrogen gas leaking.

[0007] Here, the gas removal device includes an air vent that separates the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer from water and discharges only the gas, and a blower that dilutes and discharges the hydrogen. The blower must be redundant. Furthermore, the gas removal device includes a hydrogen sensor for measuring the concentration of the diluted hydrogen discharged, and valves and check valves must be provided for flow control in each pipe. Furthermore, the blower and hydrogen sensor must be of a costly explosion-proof type to ensure safety against hydrogen gas.

[0008] In this way, conventional side stream type ballast water treatment devices have the problem that the manufacturing cost increases due to the complex configuration of the gas removal device, and the maintenance and replacement costs of aging devices are high.

[0009] Prior Document 1: Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0114797 (published on October 13, 2015)

[0010] Prior Document 2: Korean Patent No. 10-1600037 (announced on March 7, 2016)

[0011] The present invention was invented to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a ship ballast water treatment device that does not require the installation of a gas removal device by configuring the pipe and the electrolytic cell so that seawater containing an oxidizer generated in the electrolytic cell is directly injected into the main pipe.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a ship ballast water treatment device capable of sterilizing ship ballast water even when performing ballasting work in a freshwater area.

[0013] Meanwhile, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs will be able to clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned above.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a side-stream type ship ballast water treatment device that electrolyzes seawater and then injects the treated seawater into a main pipe, the device comprising: a side pipe for supplying electrolyzed seawater to the main pipe; and an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing seawater introduced into the side pipe to produce an oxidizer; wherein the side pipe includes a bypass pipe for supplying seawater to the electrolytic cell and an electrolytic cell pipe connected to the bypass pipe and having the electrolytic cell built therein, and the electrolytic cell pipe is characterized in that it is formed to penetrate the main pipe.

[0015] Preferably, the electrolytic cell pipe includes a first pipe penetrating from the outside of one side of the main pipe into the inside of the main pipe and a second pipe penetrating from the outside of the other side of the main pipe into the inside of the main pipe so as to face the first pipe, and the diameter of the first pipe is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the second pipe, a part of the end side of the first pipe is positioned inside the second pipe, and a plurality of electrolytic electrodes extending along the longitudinal direction of the electrolytic cell pipe are installed inside the first pipe and the second pipe, and the first pipe and the second pipe formed penetrating the main pipe and the electrolytic electrodes installed inside the first pipe and the second pipe constitute the electrolytic cell.

[0016] More preferably, an inlet pipe connected to the bypass pipe is installed in the first pipe, the outer ends of the first pipe and the second pipe are each sealed, and seawater flowing into the inlet pipe is electrolyzed while passing through the first pipe and the second pipe to generate an oxidizer, and seawater containing the oxidizer flows into the main pipe.

[0017] Preferably, the electrolytic electrode installed in the first pipe extends from the outer end of the first pipe to the interior of the second pipe, the electrolytic electrode installed in the second pipe extends from the outer end of the second pipe to the interior of the first pipe, and the electrolytic electrode installed in the first pipe and the electrolytic electrode installed in the second pipe have different polarities and are arranged in a cross-like manner to form an electrode set.

[0018] Here, the electrolytic electrode sets arranged crosswise inside the first and second pipes are characterized by being a plurality of electrode sets arranged in series along the length of the main pipe.

[0019] Preferably, the first pipe has a longer length than the second pipe, the electrolytic electrode of the first pipe extends adjacent to the outer end of the second pipe, and the electrode of the second pipe extends adjacent to the outer end of the first pipe.

[0020] Additionally, the bypass pipe of the side pipe further includes a branch pipe branching off to a seawater storage tank that stores seawater flowing in from the sea-chest in advance, and when the ship is ballasted in a freshwater area port, the seawater stored in advance in the seawater storage tank is supplied to the electrolytic cell pipe through the bypass pipe.

[0021] Preferably, an electrical conductivity measuring sensor is installed on the upstream side of the bypass pipe to measure the electrical conductivity of seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell, and when the measurement result of the electrical conductivity measuring sensor determines that the fluid flowing into the electrolytic cell is fresh water, a valve installed between the seawater storage tank and the branch pipe is opened to allow seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank to flow into the electrolytic cell.

[0022] Additionally, a ballast pump that operates to allow seawater from the sea-chest to flow into the ballast tank side and a flow meter that measures the flow rate of the flowing seawater are installed on the upstream side of the main pipe, and a bypass pipe pump that allows seawater flowing through the main pipe to flow into the electrolytic tank and a strainer that filters out foreign substances in the seawater flowing into the electrolytic tank are installed on the bypass pipe.

[0023] Preferably, a fluid control valve is installed at each of the front and rear ends of the main pipe through which the electrolytic cell pipe is formed, and a drain pipe is provided at the lower portion of the main pipe through which the electrolytic cell pipe is formed.

[0024] Meanwhile, the power supply device that supplies current to the electrolytic cell is characterized by having a pressure-proof explosion-proof structure.

[0025] According to the present invention, there is no need to install a gas removal device for removing hydrogen gas, so the size of the entire device can be minimized and manufacturing costs can be reduced, and there is no need to maintain the air vent, blower, hydrogen gas sensor, valve, etc. included in the gas removal device.

[0026] In addition, according to the present invention, ballast water can be sterilized even in freshwater areas by supplying seawater stored in advance in a seawater storage tank to an electrolytic cell to generate an oxidizer.

[0027] In this way, the present invention has the advantages of a ballast water treatment device of a pre-treatment type, which is a simple configuration of the device and minimization of the installation area of ​​the device, and has the advantage of a ballast water treatment device of a side stream type, which is capable of sterilizing ballast water by generating an oxidizer even during operation in a freshwater region.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a ship ballast water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the piping structure of a ship ballast water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the piping structure of a ship ballast water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a ballast water treatment device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention below, the terms used to refer to the components of the present invention are named in consideration of the functions of each component, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the technical components of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention is a side-stream type ballast water treatment device that electrolyzes a small amount of seawater and then injects the treated seawater into a main pipe. For example, the present invention is a side-stream type ballast water treatment device that sterilizes ballast water by collecting a portion of seawater flowing through a main pipe (100) connected between a sea-chest (10) and a ballast water tank (20), or by introducing seawater from the sea-chest (10), electrolyzing it, and then injecting the treated seawater, i.e., containing an oxidizer, into the main pipe (100).

[0033] Specifically, the ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention includes a main pipe (100) connected between a sea-chest (10) and a ballast tank (20); a side pipe (200) branched from the main pipe (100) and collecting a portion of seawater flowing through the main pipe (100) and supplying the collected seawater back to the main pipe (100); and an electrolytic cell (300) that electrolyzes seawater flowing into the side pipe (200) to generate an oxidizer.

[0034] Here, the side pipe (200) includes a bypass pipe (210) that supplies seawater to the electrolytic cell (300) and electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) that are connected to the bypass pipe (210) and in which the electrolytic cell (300) is built. The bypass pipe (210) connects the main pipe (100) and the inlet side of the electrolytic cell (300). In addition, the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) are formed to pass through the main pipe (100).

[0035] The electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) include a first pipe (221) and a second pipe (222) which are arranged to face each other while penetrating the main pipe (100). The first pipe (221) penetrates from the outside of one side of the main pipe (100) to the inside of the main pipe (100), and the second pipe (222) penetrates from the outside of the other side of the main pipe (100) to the inside of the main pipe (100). At this time, the diameter of the first pipe (221) is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the second pipe (222), and a part of the end side of the first pipe (221) is located inside the second pipe (222). Of course, the diameter of the second pipe (222) may be formed to be smaller than the diameter of the first pipe (221), and a part of the end side of the second pipe (222) may be designed to be located inside the first pipe (221). Additionally, a plurality of electrolysis electrodes (231, 232) extending along the length of the electrolytic cell pipe are installed inside the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222).

[0036] Here, the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222) formed by penetrating the main pipe (100) and the electrolytic electrodes (231, 232) installed inside the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222) constitute an electrolytic cell (300) that electrolyzes the introduced seawater to generate an oxidizer.

[0037] Preferably, an inlet pipe (223) is installed in the first pipe (221) of the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) to be connected to the bypass pipe (210) and to introduce seawater from the bypass pipe (210) into the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222). In addition, the inner ends of the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222), which face each other, are open, and the outer ends of the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222), respectively, are sealed.

[0038] By this configuration, seawater flowing into the inlet pipe (223) through the bypass pipe (210) can be electrolyzed while passing through the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222), thereby generating an oxidizer inside the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222). In addition, seawater containing the oxidizer generated inside the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) can be directly introduced into the main pipe (100) without passing through a separate pipe. The arrows illustrated in FIG. 3 indicate the flow of seawater flowing into the main pipe (100) through the inlet pipe (223), the first pipe (221), and the second pipe (222).

[0039] In this way, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention is a side-stream type ballast water treatment device that generates an oxidizer by collecting seawater from the main pipe (100) into the side pipe (200) and then injects it back into the main pipe (100). In this way, the electrolytic cell (300) can be configured as a part of the side pipe (200) and then placed inside the main pipe (100). Therefore, when the seawater containing the oxidizer generated in the electrolytic cell (300) is injected into the main pipe (100), it can flow directly from the electrolytic cell (300) into the main pipe (100) without passing through a separate pipe. As a result, the present invention can exclude a gas removal device that must be installed to remove hydrogen gas in a conventional side-stream type ballast water treatment device, thereby minimizing the size of the entire device and reducing manufacturing costs, and there is no need to maintain an air vent, a blower, a hydrogen gas sensor, a valve, etc. included in the gas removal device.

[0040] Preferably, the electrolytic electrode (231) installed in the first pipe (221) extends from the outer end of the first pipe (221) to the interior of the second pipe (222), and the electrolytic electrode (232) installed in the second pipe (222) extends from the outer end of the second pipe (222) to the interior of the first pipe (221).

[0041] In addition, the electrolytic electrode (231) installed in the first pipe (221) and the electrolytic electrode (232) installed in the second pipe (222) have different polarities and can be arranged in a cross-like manner to form one electrode set. In addition, the electrolytic electrode sets arranged in a cross-like manner within the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222) can be configured as a plurality of electrode sets arranged in series along the length direction of the main pipe (100). The number of these electrode sets can be changed depending on the ballast water treatment capacity.

[0042] Preferably, the first pipe (221) has a longer length than the second pipe (222), and the electrolytic electrodes (231, 232) of each pipe (221, 222) extend adjacent to the end side of the opposite pipe. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, the end of the first pipe (221) extended into the interior of the main pipe (100) extends adjacent to the inner wall of the main pipe (100) and is disposed inside the second pipe (222). In addition, the electrolytic electrode (231) of the first pipe (221) extends adjacent to the outer end of the second pipe (222), and similarly, the electrode (232) of the second pipe (222) extends adjacent to the outer end of the first pipe (221).

[0043] By extending the lengths of the first pipe (221) and the second pipe (222) and the extension lengths of the electrolytic electrodes (231, 232), the time during which seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) comes into contact with the electrodes (231, 232) can be maximized, thereby increasing the efficiency of generating oxidants in the electrolytic cell (300).

[0044] Additionally, the bypass pipe (210) of the side pipe (200) further includes a branch pipe (240) branching to a seawater storage tank (after peak tank) (30) that stores seawater flowing in from the sea chest (10) in advance. In addition, a valve (241) for controlling the fluid is installed in this branch pipe (240).

[0045] By this configuration, when a ship performs ballasting work in a port in a freshwater area, seawater stored in advance in a seawater storage tank (30) is supplied to the electrolytic cell pipes (221, 222) through the branch pipe (240) and the bypass pipe (210) to generate an oxidizer, thereby sterilizing ballast water even in a freshwater area.

[0046] Additionally, an electrical conductivity measurement sensor (40) for measuring the electrical conductivity of seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) may be installed on the upstream side of the bypass pipe (210). If the measurement result of the electrical conductivity measurement sensor (40) determines that the fluid flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) is fresh water, a valve (241) installed in the branch pipe (240) may be opened to allow seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank (30) to flow into the electrolytic cell (300).

[0047] In this way, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention can generate an oxidizer in the electrolytic cell (300) using seawater pre-stored in the seawater storage tank (30) even when the ship is sailing in a freshwater area, thereby enabling ballasting of the ship in both seawater and freshwater areas. Furthermore, the present invention can generate a high-concentration oxidizer using seawater pre-stored in the seawater storage tank (30).

[0048] Meanwhile, a ballast pump (50) that operates to allow seawater from the sea-chest (10) to flow into the ballast tank (20) and a flow meter (60) that measures the flow rate of seawater flowing into the main pipe (100) are installed upstream of the main pipe (100), that is, upstream of the point where the main pipe (100) branches off into the side pipe (200). In addition, a bypass pipe pump (211) and a valve (212) that allow seawater flowing through the main pipe (100) to flow into the electrolytic cell (300) are installed in the bypass pipe (210) of the side pipe (200). In addition, a strainer (not shown) that filters out foreign substances in the seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) is installed in the bypass pipe (210), thereby protecting the electrolytic electrodes (231, 232) included inside the electrolytic cell (300).

[0049] In addition, a TRO sensor (70) is installed on the downstream side of the main pipe (100), that is, on the upstream side of the point where the main pipe (100) branches off toward the ballast tank (20), to measure the concentration of TRO (total residual oxidant) in seawater containing the oxidant generated in the electrolytic cell (300).

[0050] Here, the ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention controls the flow rate so that 0.1 to 5% of the rated flow rate measured by the flow meter (60) flows into the electrolytic cell (300) through the bypass pipe (210). To this end, the operation of the bypass pipe pump (211) and valve (222) installed in the bypass pipe (210) is controlled based on the measured value of the flow meter (60).

[0051] Preferably, a fluid control valve (110, 120) is installed at the front and rear ends of the main pipe (100) through which the electrolytic cell pipe (221, 222) is formed, respectively, and a drain pipe (130) is provided at the bottom of the main pipe (100) through which the electrolytic cell pipe (221, 222) is formed. With this configuration, when maintenance of the electrolytic electrode (231, 232) inside the electrolytic cell pipe (221, 222) is required, the valves (110, 120) installed at the front and rear ends of the main pipe (100) are closed, and a washing water such as citric acid is supplied inside the electrolytic cell pipe (221, 222) to wash the electrode (231, 232), and then the washing waste water can be discharged through the drain pipe (130).

[0052] Meanwhile, it is preferable that a power supply device (not shown) that supplies current to the electrolytic cell (300), such as a current supply terminal block and cover connected to the electrolytic cell (300), have a pressure-proof explosion-proof structure.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention described above are merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted according to the following claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, all technical ideas within the scope equivalent to the present invention should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A side-stream type ship ballast water treatment device that electrolyzes seawater and then injects the treated seawater into the main pipe. A side pipe for supplying electrolyzed seawater to the main pipe; and An electrolytic cell is included that generates an oxidizer by electrolyzing seawater flowing into the side pipe; A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein the side pipe includes a bypass pipe that supplies seawater to the electrolytic tank and an electrolytic tank pipe that is connected to the bypass pipe and in which the electrolytic tank is built, and the electrolytic tank pipe is formed to penetrate the main pipe.

2. In paragraph 1, The above electrolytic cell pipe includes a first pipe penetrating from the outside of one side of the main pipe into the inside of the main pipe, and a second pipe penetrating from the outside of the other side of the main pipe into the inside of the main pipe so as to face the first pipe. The diameter of the first pipe is formed smaller than the diameter of the second pipe, and a part of the end side of the first pipe is located inside the second pipe. A plurality of electrolytic electrodes are installed along the length of the electrolytic cell pipe inside the first and second pipes, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe formed by penetrating the main pipe and the electrolytic electrodes installed inside the first pipe and the second pipe constitute the electrolytic tank.

3. In paragraph 2, An inlet pipe connected to the bypass pipe is installed in the above first pipe, The outer ends of the first pipe and the second pipe are each sealed, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein seawater flowing into the inlet pipe is electrolyzed while passing through the first pipe and the second pipe to generate an oxidizer, and seawater containing the oxidizer flows into the main pipe.

4. In paragraph 2, The electrolytic electrode installed in the first pipe extends from the outer end of the first pipe to the interior of the second pipe, and the electrolytic electrode installed in the second pipe extends from the outer end of the second pipe to the interior of the first pipe. A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein the electrolytic electrodes installed in the first pipe and the electrolytic electrodes installed in the second pipe have different polarities and are arranged in a cross-like manner to form an electrode set.

5. In paragraph 4, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein the electrolytic electrode sets arranged crosswise inside the first and second pipes are multiple electrode sets arranged in series along the length of the main pipe.

6. In paragraph 2, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein the first pipe has a longer length than the second pipe, the electrolytic electrode of the first pipe extends adjacent to the outer end of the second pipe, and the electrode of the second pipe extends adjacent to the outer end of the first pipe.

7. In paragraph 1, The bypass pipe of the above side pipe further includes a branch pipe branching to a seawater storage tank for pre-storing seawater introduced from the sea chest, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein seawater stored in advance in the seawater storage tank is supplied to the electrolytic cell pipe through the bypass pipe during ballasting work on a ship in a freshwater area port.

8. In paragraph 7, An electrical conductivity measuring sensor is installed on the upstream side of the above bypass pipe to measure the electrical conductivity of seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell. A ship ballast water treatment device that, if it is determined as a result of the measurement of the electric conductivity measurement sensor that the fluid flowing into the electrolytic tank is fresh water, opens a valve installed between the seawater storage tank and the branch pipe to allow seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank to flow into the electrolytic tank.

9. In paragraph 1, On the upstream side of the above main pipe, a ballast pump is installed to operate so that seawater from the sea chest flows into the ballast tank, and a flow meter is installed to measure the flow rate of the flowing seawater. A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein a bypass pipe pump for allowing seawater flowing through the main pipe to flow into the electrolytic tank and a strainer for filtering out foreign substances in the seawater flowing into the electrolytic tank are installed in the bypass pipe.

10. In paragraph 1, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein a fluid-cutting valve is installed at each of the front and rear ends of the main pipe through which the electrolytic cell pipe is formed, and a drain pipe is provided at the bottom of the main pipe through which the electrolytic cell pipe is formed.

11. In paragraph 1, A ship ballast water treatment device, wherein the power supply device for supplying current to the electrolytic cell has a pressure-proof explosion-proof structure.

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