System for controlling microorganism regrowth in ballast water

Abstract

A system for controlling microorganism regrowth according to the present disclosure may comprise: a main pipe through which seawater that flows in from a sea chest is guided to a ballast tank (100); a discharge line (120) which branches from the main pipe and discharges the seawater stored in the ballast tank; a pump for circulating the seawater in the ballast tank; a concentration measurement device (140) which is provided in the main pipe and measures the concentration of sterilizing materials in the seawater stored in the ballast tank; a ballast water treatment device (150) for injecting the sterilizing materials into the seawater; and an injection line (160) which branches from the main pipe and re-injects the seawater discharged from the ballast tank.

Description

Microbial re-growth control system in ballast water

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water.

[0002] To prevent disruption of the ecosystem caused by the movement of organisms contained in the ballast water of a ship, a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) is a device that kills organisms contained in the ballast water injected into a ship and prevents organisms from being discharged when the ballast water is discharged.

[0003] Commonly used killing technologies for BWTS include electrochlorination, ozone treatment, and chemical injection, which use active substances. Physical treatment methods that do not use active substances include UV treatment.

[0004] Existing ballast water treatment systems that utilize active substances only inject disinfectants during the ballasting process to kill organisms. After water intake is complete, the concentration of disinfectants within the ballast tank gradually decreases over time. This allows organisms that are not killed to reproduce and potentially be discharged outside the vessel when the ballast water is discharged.

[0005] Additionally, some BWMS manufacturers periodically measure the concentration of disinfectant in ballast tanks and continuously inject disinfectant to maintain a certain level of disinfectant concentration during vessel operations. However, this method consumes a large amount of disinfectant and increases the concentration of disinfection byproducts, which can be harmful to the environment.

[0006] Approximately 1,500 ships are built annually requiring BWTS installation. Recently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have been taking steps to improve ballast water treatment performance, including strengthening ballast water discharge standards and inspections to protect marine ecosystems. Consequently, there is a need for cost-effective ballast water treatment devices and methods that offer improved performance.

[0007] The present invention provides a microbial re-growth control system capable of suppressing re-growth of microorganisms in ballast water or sterilizing re-growth microorganisms according to the concentration of a sterilizing substance in the ballast water before discharging the ballast water of a ship.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a microbial re-growth control system may be provided, including a main pipe guiding seawater flowing into a sea chest to a ballast tank (100), a discharge line (120) branching from the main pipe and discharging seawater stored in the ballast tank, a pump circulating seawater in the ballast tank, a concentration measuring device (140) provided in the main pipe and measuring the concentration of a sterilizing agent in seawater stored in the ballast tank, a ballast water treatment device (150) injecting a sterilizing agent into the seawater, and an injection line (160) branching from the main pipe and re-injecting seawater discharged from the ballast tank.

[0009] The ballast tank may include a level gauge for measuring the level of seawater stored in the ballast tank.

[0010] The device may further include a control unit that controls the ballast water treatment device according to the concentration of the sterilizing agent measured by the concentration meter.

[0011] The control unit can control the ballast water treatment device to inject a sterilizing substance into the recovered seawater by taking into account the seawater level measured by the water level meter if the concentration of the sterilizing substance measured by the concentration meter does not meet the standard range.

[0012] The above pump may be a ballast pump (130) provided in the main pipe to supply seawater to the ballast tank, a sterilizing material mixing pump (131) provided in the ballast water treatment device to supply seawater, or a circulation pump (132) provided in a circulation line (170) branched from the main pipe to circulate the seawater.

[0013] The above pump can circulate seawater to mix the sterilizing agent with seawater.

[0014] The above concentration meter measures the concentration of the sterilizing agent in seawater mixed with the sterilizing agent, and the control unit can store the seawater back in the ballast tank when the concentration of the sterilizing agent satisfies a standard range.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the discharge of dead or repopulated organisms contained in the ballast water of a ship.

[0016] Additionally, even if the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or the United States Coast Guard (USCG) strengthen their ballast water discharge standards, microorganisms in ballast water can be treated accordingly.

[0017] In addition, the biological disinfection effect can be maximized by reinjecting the disinfectant once before discharging the ballast water, thereby reducing the consumption of the disinfectant and reducing products that may have a harmful effect on the environment, such as disinfection byproducts.

[0018] In addition, the novel ballast water treatment method of the present invention can be utilized by providing additional piping lines and pumps to all or part of the ballast water treatment system of an existing ship, thereby reducing costs.

[0019] Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate individual embodiments of a microbial re-growth control system according to the present invention.

[0020] Figures 4 to 6 correspond to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3, respectively, and are schematically illustrated with a focus on the flow of seawater.

[0021] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0022] While terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component." The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related items described herein or any one of multiple related items described herein.

[0023] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0025] Throughout this specification, living organisms shall be understood to include microorganisms, and reference to either living organisms or microorganisms alone shall be understood to refer to both living organisms and microorganisms.

[0026] Throughout this specification, seawater, ballast water and ship's ballast water are to be understood as having equivalent meanings.

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0028] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water as an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment according to FIG. 1 utilizes an existing ballast main pipe and ballast pump, and may include a connecting pipe so that the existing ballast main pipes (port main pipe (111) and starboard main pipe (112)) are connected to each other on the bow side, and may include an additional injection line branching from the existing ballast main pipe and connecting to a ballast water tank.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a system for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a main pipe for guiding seawater introduced from a sea chest to a ballast tank (100), a discharge line (120) branching from the main pipe for discharging seawater stored in the ballast tank, a pump for circulating seawater in the ballast tank, a concentration measuring device (140) provided in the main pipe for measuring the concentration of a sterilizing agent in seawater stored in the ballast tank, a ballast water treatment device (150) for injecting a sterilizing agent into the seawater, and an injection line (160) branching from the main pipe for re-injecting seawater discharged from the ballast tank.

[0030] The above ballast tanks (100) may be plural, and may be symmetrically provided on the port and starboard sides, respectively. The seawater stored in the ballast tanks may be seawater that has been sterilized for the first time through the ballast water treatment device when it flows in from the sea chest. Since the seawater (ballast water) stored in each ballast tank after the first sterilization may contain or re-grow unkilled organisms and microorganisms, it may be sterilized for the second time through the microbial re-growth control system of the present invention before discharge of the ballast and then discharged into the sea. The degree of microbial re-growth in the seawater (ballast water) stored in each ballast tank may differ, and accordingly, it may be desirable to individually treat the ballast water stored in each ballast tank with a sterilizing agent in terms of preventing the discharge of unkilled or re-growth organisms, reducing the consumption of sterilizing agents, and maximizing the sterilizing effect.

[0031] The main pipe can guide seawater flowing in from the sea chest to the ballast tank (100), and a port main pipe (111) and a starboard main pipe (112) can be provided for the ballast tanks symmetrically provided on the port and starboard sides, respectively.

[0032] Each ballast tank may be provided with a discharge line (120) for discharging seawater stored in the ballast tank and an injection line (160) for re-injecting seawater discharged from the ballast tank. A bell mouth may be installed at the end of each of the discharge line and the injection line. The microbial re-growth control system of the present invention may be configured with corrosion-resistant pipes for all or part of the pipes, including the main pipe, the discharge line, and the injection line. For example, a steel pipe coated with polyethylene may be used.

[0033] The above discharge line (120) may be a pipe initially provided to store seawater flowing in from the sea chest in a ballast tank, and since both the initial seawater storage and the discharge of seawater must be carried out when controlling microbial re-growth, it may be designed to allow for the two-way inflow and outflow of seawater.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 1, the seawater stored in the ballast tank can be repeatedly circulated. Specifically, the seawater discharged from the ballast tank provided on the port side can move toward the starboard main pipe (112) along the port main pipe (111) and the pipe branched therefrom, pass through the ballast pump (130) provided on the starboard main pipe (112), move to the bow through the starboard main pipe (112), and then move back to the port main pipe side through the connecting pipe (double-dotted line) connecting the port main pipe and the starboard main pipe on the bow side, thereby allowing the seawater to be circulated. Alternatively, the seawater can be circulated by including moving to the port main pipe side and then being returned to the ballast tank along the injection line. By repeating this process, the seawater can be repeatedly circulated.

[0035] The above concentration meter (140) is installed in the main pipe and can measure the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater stored in the ballast tank, and can be installed in each of the port main pipe (111) and the starboard main pipe (112). The concentration meter (140) may be installed after the ballast water treatment device to check whether the sterilizing agent in the seawater satisfies an appropriate concentration range before the seawater flowing in from the sea chest is stored in the ballast tank after the first sterilization. The concentration meter may be used to measure the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater before the sterilizing agent is mixed with the seawater stored in the ballast tank when the second sterilization is performed. Specifically, the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater can be measured by circulating the seawater discharged from the ballast tank for the first few minutes and passing the point where the concentration meter is installed at least once.

[0036] The ballast water treatment device (150) can inject a sterilizing agent into seawater discharged from a ballast tank to kill any undead or repopulated organisms contained in the ballast water. The sterilizing agent can be any agent capable of killing undead or repopulated organisms in seawater, and examples thereof include chlorine-based and bromine-based agents. Examples of chlorine-based sterilizing agents include hypochlorous acid.

[0037] The ballast water treatment device may or may not require a filter for filtering seawater. For example, if the ballast water treatment device requires a filter, the filter may be installed in each of the main pipes, i.e., the port main pipe and the starboard main pipe, so that at least a portion of the seawater flowing from the seachest is filtered, and then a disinfectant may be injected into the seawater flowing into the ballast water treatment device.

[0038] The above injection line (160, double-dotted line) may be a pipe provided to return seawater discharged from the ballast tank to the ballast tank after mixing the seawater and the sterilizing agent, and may be configured as a pipe that is corrosion-resistant against acidic sterilizing agents. For example, a polyethylene coating may be used on the inside of a steel pipe.

[0039] The ballast tank may include a level gauge for measuring the level of seawater stored in the ballast tank. Before the seawater stored in the ballast tank is discharged and the sterilizing agent is reinjected, the level gauge may measure the level of seawater stored in the ballast tank to calculate the total volume of seawater.

[0040] The microbial re-growth control system according to the present invention may further include a control unit that controls the ballast water treatment device according to the concentration of the sterilizing substance measured by the concentration meter.

[0041] The control unit may control the ballast water treatment device to inject a sterilizing substance into the recovered seawater by taking into account the seawater level measured by the level meter if the concentration of the sterilizing substance measured by the concentration meter does not meet the reference range. Specifically, the control unit may calculate the injection amount of the sterilizing substance to be injected by the ballast water treatment device by using information about the concentration of the sterilizing substance measured by the concentration meter and the seawater level measured by the level meter, and control the ballast water treatment device to inject the sterilizing substance.

[0042] The concentration standard range of the sterilizing agent may be, for example, less than 0.5 mg / L, and specifically, when the concentration of the sterilizing agent measured by the concentration meter is less than 0.5 mg / L, the sterilizing agent may be injected so that the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater falls within a specific range, taking into account the seawater level measured by the level meter, i.e., the total volume of the seawater. The concentration standard range of the sterilizing agent may be adjusted in consideration of the seawater discharge area, regulations applied when discharging seawater, the time remaining until discharging seawater, etc.

[0043] When injecting a sterilizing substance, for example, the amount of sterilizing substance to be injected may be determined so that the concentration of the sterilizing substance in the seawater after mixing the sterilizing substance is 2 mg / L or more, but the concentration range may be adjusted in consideration of the seawater discharge area, regulations applied when discharging seawater, the time remaining until discharging seawater, etc. The injection of the sterilizing substance may be performed by supplying some of the seawater to the ballast water treatment device side using the sterilizing substance mixing pump (131) provided on the ballast water treatment device side, and injecting the sterilizing substance into the supplied seawater.

[0044] When a sterilizing agent is injected, the seawater injected with the sterilizing agent circulates through the main pipe, and the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater can be measured by a concentration meter. The concentration meter measures the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater mixed with the sterilizing agent, and if the concentration of the sterilizing agent satisfies a standard range, the control unit can cause the seawater to be stored again in the ballast tank. For example, if the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater after mixing the sterilizing agent is 0.5 mg / L or more, specifically 2 mg / L or more, the control unit can cause the seawater to be stored again in the ballast tank.

[0045] The above pump can form a flow of seawater so that the seawater stored in the ballast tank can be discharged, the seawater injected with the sterilizing agent can be circulated through the main pipe, and the seawater mixed with the sterilizing agent can be returned to the ballast tank. The pump can circulate the seawater to mix the sterilizing agent with the seawater, thereby enabling the sterilizing agent to be evenly distributed in the seawater. According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the pump can be a ballast pump (130) provided in the main pipe to supply the seawater introduced from the seachest to the ballast tank. By using an existing ballast pump, all or part of the ballast water treatment system of an existing ship can be utilized, and the space within the ship can be used efficiently.

[0046] FIG. 4 corresponds to the microbial re-growth control system shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and schematically illustrates a method for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water centered on the flow of seawater.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, the method for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water according to the present invention may include performing a second sterilization before discharging seawater that has been sterilized and stored in a ballast tank (100) out of the ship.

[0048] As an example, seawater stored in the ballast tank (100) provided on the port side can be discharged to the port main pipe (111) through the discharge line (120), and the discharge of the seawater here can be performed by a ballast pump (130), and at this time, the ballast pump (130) can be a ballast pump (130) provided on the starboard main pipe (112). Although not specifically illustrated in this specification, when the seawater stored in the ballast tank (100) provided on the starboard side is discharged to the starboard main pipe (112), the discharge of the seawater can be performed by a ballast pump (130) provided on the port main pipe (111).

[0049] The seawater moves along the starboard main pipe (112) by the ballast pump (130) installed on the starboard main pipe (112) and can pass through the concentration meter (140) installed on the starboard main pipe (112). The concentration meter (140) can measure the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater, and the measured concentration of the sterilizing agent can be transmitted to the control unit. In order to measure the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the seawater using the concentration meter, the seawater can be circulated through the ballast tank and the main pipes for the first few minutes.

[0050] Meanwhile, a flow meter may be installed at the front or rear end of the concentration meter (140) to detect the flow of seawater, and Fig. 4 illustrates an example in which a flow meter is installed at the front end of the concentration meter (140). In addition, for example, a flow meter may be installed at the rear end of the concentration meter to determine whether seawater has passed through the concentration meter (140), but is not limited thereto.

[0051] The ballast water treatment system may or may not require a filter to filter the seawater. For example, if the ballast water treatment system requires a filter, the filter may be installed in each of the main pipes, i.e., the port main pipe and the starboard main pipe, and then a sterilizing agent may be injected into the seawater flowing into the ballast water treatment system after it has been filtered. In this case, a flow meter is preferably installed in each of the port main pipe and the starboard main pipe, and is preferably installed after the filter.

[0052] The above control unit can control the ballast water treatment device (150) to inject the sterilizing substance into the seawater if the concentration of the sterilizing substance measured by the concentration meter does not meet the standard range. Here, the amount of sterilizing substance to be injected can be calculated by considering the level of the seawater measured by the level meter provided inside the ballast tank, i.e., the total volume of the seawater stored in the ballast tank, and the ballast water treatment device can be controlled accordingly.

[0053] The above control unit may, when the concentration of the sterilizing agent measured by the concentration meter satisfies the standard range, not inject the sterilizing agent but instead inject it back into the ballast tank (100) through the injection line (160). For example, when the measured concentration of the sterilizing agent is less than 0.5 mg / L, secondary sterilization may be performed, and when it is 0.5 mg / L or more, secondary sterilization may be performed without secondary sterilization and then stored in the ballast tank before being discharged overboard. However, this is not limited to the above concentration standard.

[0054] When injecting a sterilizing agent into seawater through a ballast water treatment device (150), the injection of the sterilizing agent can be accomplished by supplying some of the seawater to the ballast water treatment device side using a sterilizing agent mixing pump (131) provided on the ballast water treatment device side, and injecting the sterilizing agent into the supplied seawater.

[0055] Seawater mixed with sterilizing substances is returned to the ballast tank (100) and can be injected back into the ballast tank (100) through an injection line (160) branched from the starboard main pipe (112). Here, the injection line (160, dotted line) may be a pipe additionally installed to the existing starboard main pipe (112), through which seawater can be circulated in the ballast tank.

[0056] The mixing of seawater and sterilizing agent may be performed in the ballast tank after recovery, or may be performed while circulating through the port main pipe (111) and the starboard main pipe (112), or may be performed while circulating through the port main pipe (111), the ballast tank (100), and the starboard main pipe (112).

[0057] Secondary disinfection of seawater may be carried out a certain time before discharging ballast water stored in each ballast tank overboard, specifically prior to entering the deballasting port, for example, but not limited to, secondary disinfection may be carried out 24 hours prior to entering the deballasting port.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, the method for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water according to the present invention can maximize the biological or microbial sterilization effect by utilizing all or part of an existing ballast water treatment system by providing additional pipes such as a connecting pipe and an injection line (160, dotted line) and adopting the method for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water according to the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, a system for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water. Below, the differences from the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 2, instead of the ballast pump (130), a sterilizing material mixing pump (131) that supplies seawater to the ballast water treatment device side can be used as a pump that circulates seawater in the ballast tank.

[0061] As an example, seawater stored in a ballast tank provided on the starboard side may be discharged to the starboard main pipe (112) by the sterilizing agent mixing pump (131), and may travel along a first branch line (161, double-dashed line) branched from the sterilizing agent mixing pump (131) side and a second branch line (162, double-dashed line) branched from the first branch line and re-injecting seawater, and then may be recovered to the ballast tank. Here, the second branch line (162) may play a role equivalent to the injection line (160). Although not specifically shown in this specification, seawater stored in the port side ballast tank may be discharged to the port main pipe (111), circulated along an equivalent movement path, and then recovered to the ballast tank.

[0062] The seawater discharged into the main pipe is moved toward the ballast water treatment device (150) by the sterilizing substance mixing pump (131), and may be mixed with the sterilizing substance according to the sterilizing substance injection amount calculated by the control unit. The mixing of the seawater and the sterilizing substance may be performed within the ballast tank after recovery, or may be performed while circulating through the main pipe, the first branch line, the second branch line, and the ballast tank (100) on the ballast tank side.

[0063] Figure 5 corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 2 and schematically illustrates a method for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water, focusing on seawater flow. Below, differences from the embodiments disclosed in Figures 1 and 4 will be described in detail.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, instead of a ballast pump (130), a sterilizing material mixing pump (131) that supplies seawater to the ballast water treatment device can be used as a pump that circulates seawater. In the case of the ballast pump (130), energy consumption is higher than that of the sterilizing material mixing pump (131), and the path for circulating seawater is long, so there is a problem that the time required for secondary sterilization is long. Therefore, if the sterilizing material mixing pump (131) is used, these problems can be alleviated.

[0065] In addition, in the case of seawater mixed with a sterilizing agent, the high acidity may cause corrosion of the pipe. Referring to Fig. 5, after mixing with the sterilizing agent, instead of the injection line (160) branching off from the main pipe, the seawater can be moved along the first branch line (161, dotted line) branched off from the sterilizing agent mixing pump (131) and the second branch line (162, dotted line) branched off from the first branch line and re-injecting seawater. In the case where only the first branch line and the second branch line are provided with corrosion-resistant pipes, the cost of installing corrosion-resistant pipes can be reduced, so the pipe corrosion problem can be efficiently solved.

[0066] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, a system for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water. Below, the differences from the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in detail.

[0067] Referring to Fig. 3, instead of the ballast pump (130), a circulation pump (132) installed on a circulation line (170) branched off from the main pipe can be used as a pump for circulating seawater. The circulation pump (132) is installed on the circulation line branched off from the main pipe and can circulate seawater. By introducing the circulation pump (132), considering the capacity of each ballast tank, a pump with an appropriate capacity and consuming an appropriate amount of energy can be selected, thereby saving energy and using energy efficiently.

[0068] As an example, seawater stored in a ballast tank provided on the starboard side may be discharged to the starboard main pipe (112) by the circulation pump (132), and may travel along a first branch line (161, double-dashed line) branched from the circulation pump (132) side and a second branch line (162, double-dashed line) branched from the first branch line and re-injecting seawater, and then may be recovered in the ballast tank. Here, the second branch line (162) may play a role equivalent to the injection line (160). Although not specifically shown in this specification, seawater stored in the port side ballast tank may be discharged to the port main pipe (111), circulated along an equivalent movement path, and then recovered in the ballast tank.

[0069] Seawater discharged into the above main pipe moves toward the ballast water treatment device (150) by the circulation pump (132) and can be mixed with a sterilizing agent according to the amount of sterilizing agent injected calculated by the control unit. The mixing of seawater and sterilizing agent can be performed in the ballast tank after recovery, or can be performed while circulating through the main pipe, circulation line, first branch line, second branch line, and ballast tank (100) on the ballast tank side.

[0070] Figure 6 corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 3 and schematically illustrates a method for controlling microbial re-growth in ballast water, focusing on the flow of seawater. Below, differences from the embodiments disclosed in Figures 1 and 4 will be described in detail.

[0071] Referring to Fig. 6, instead of the ballast pump (130), a circulation pump (132) provided on a circulation line (170) branched from the main pipe can be used as a pump for circulating seawater. In the case of the ballast pump (130), there are problems such as high energy consumption and a long path for circulating seawater, which increases the time required for secondary sterilization. Therefore, by selecting and using a circulation pump (132) with an appropriate capacity as needed, these problems can be alleviated. In addition, since the location where the circulation pump (132) is installed can be adjusted, an efficient secondary sterilization path can be provided by reflecting various conditions such as the ballast tank capacity, the volume of ballast water, and the time required for secondary sterilization.

[0072] In addition, in the case of seawater mixed with a sterilizing agent, the high acidity may cause corrosion of the pipe. Referring to Fig. 6, after mixing with the sterilizing agent, instead of the injection line (160) branching off from the main pipe, the seawater can be moved along the first branch line (161, dotted line) branched off from the circulation pump (132) side and the second branch line (162, dotted line) branched off from the first branch line and re-injecting seawater. In the case where only the first branch line and the second branch line are provided with corrosion-resistant pipes, the cost of installing corrosion-resistant pipes can be reduced, so the pipe corrosion problem can be efficiently solved.

[0073] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and 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.

[0074] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical concepts of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concepts of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100: Ballast tank

[0077] 111: Portside main pipe

[0078] 112: Starboard main pipe

[0079] 120: Discharge line

[0080] 130: Ballast pump

[0081] 131: Sterilizing material mixing pump

[0082] 132: Circulation pump

[0083] 140: Concentration meter

[0084] 150: Ballast water treatment device

[0085] 160: Injection line

[0086] 161: First branch line

[0087] 162: Second branch line

[0088] 170: Circular line

[0089] The present invention is useful for providing a microbial re-growth control system capable of preventing the discharge of dead or re-growth organisms contained in the ballast water of a ship.

Claims

1. Main pipe guiding seawater flowing in from the sea chest to the ballast tank (100); A discharge line (120) branching from the main pipe and discharging seawater stored in the ballast tank; A pump for circulating seawater in the ballast tank; A concentration meter (140) provided in the main pipe to measure the concentration of sterilizing substances in seawater stored in the ballast tank; A ballast water treatment device (150) that injects a sterilizing substance into the seawater; and A microbial re-growth control system, comprising an injection line (160) branching from the main pipe and re-injecting seawater discharged from the ballast tank.

2. In claim 1, The ballast tank is a microbial re-growth control system including a level gauge for measuring the level of seawater stored in the ballast tank.

3. In claim 2, A microbial re-growth control system further comprising a control unit that controls the ballast water treatment device according to the concentration of the sterilizing agent measured by the concentration meter.

4. In claim 3, The above control unit is a microbial re-growth control system, wherein, if the concentration of the sterilizing agent measured by the concentration meter does not meet the standard range, the control unit controls the ballast water treatment device so that the sterilizing agent is injected into the recovered seawater, taking into consideration the seawater level measured by the water level meter.

5. In claim 1, The above pump, A ballast pump (130) provided in the above main pipe and supplying seawater to the ballast tank; A sterilizing material mixing pump (131) that supplies seawater to the ballast water treatment device; or A microbial re-growth control system, which is a circulation pump (132) that circulates the seawater and is provided in a circulation line (170) branched from the main pipe.

6. In claim 4, The above pump is a microbial re-growth control system that circulates seawater to mix sterilizing substances with seawater.

7. In claim 6, The above concentration meter measures the concentration of sterilizing substances in seawater mixed with sterilizing substances, A microbial re-growth control system, wherein the control unit causes the seawater to be stored again in the ballast tank when the concentration of the sterilizing agent satisfies the standard range.

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