Ballast water treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ballast water treatment apparatus that kills microorganisms by electrolyzing seawater and introducing the treated seawater into a main pipe, the apparatus comprising: a side pipe that draws off a portion of the seawater introduced into the main pipe and re-supplies the drawn-off seawater to the main pipe; and an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes the seawater introduced into the side pipe to generate an oxidizing agent, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises an inlet connected to the side pipe and an outlet connected to the main pipe, and discharges, through the outlet and into the main pipe, electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing the seawater introduced from the side pipe.

Description

Ballast water treatment system

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolytic ballast water treatment device, and more specifically, to a high-efficiency ballast water treatment device capable of minimizing the overall size of the device, reducing manufacturing costs, and increasing treatment efficiency.

[0002] Generally, cargo ships transporting goods at sea mostly operate in one direction, except for those making round trips for the exchange of similar cargo. Furthermore, when a ship sails in one direction with full load, it sails in a ballasted state by introducing ballast water into the ship during the return voyage to improve the ship's balance, safety, and maneuverability.

[0003] At this time, ballast water is filled into the ship's ballast tanks at one port through a ballasting operation and transported to another location, and then discharged from the ship's ballast tanks into the new port through a deballasting operation. However, the release of marine organisms and pathogens contained in the ballast water transported from distant locations is not only harmful to the new environment but can also be dangerous to both humans and animals at the new port.

[0004] Introducing non-natural marine organisms into a new ecosystem can have adverse effects on natural flora and fauna that may not possess natural defense mechanisms against new species. Additionally, harmful bacterial pathogens, such as cholera, may be present in the original port. Over time, these pathogens can multiply within ballast tanks and cause disease in the areas where they are released.

[0005] To eliminate the risk caused by these marine organisms and pathogens, a ballast water treatment device is used that sterilizes the ballast water by electrolyzing the ballast water or injecting chemicals into the ballast tank.

[0006] Here, electrolytic ballast water treatment systems include a full-water treatment method that electrolyzes the entire ballast water and a side-stream method that takes a portion of the ballast water, electrolyzes it, and then re-injects the treated water back into the piping. Among these, the full-water treatment system does not require a degas device because there is no risk of hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer leaking from the main piping. However, the side-stream ballast water treatment system requires a degas device to discharge the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer, as there is a risk of hydrogen gas leakage due to the long distance between the electrolyzer and the main piping.

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

[0008] As such, conventional side-stream ballast water treatment systems have the problem of increased manufacturing costs due to the complex configuration of the gas removal device, as well as significant costs for maintenance and replacement of aging equipment.

[0009] Prior Art 1: Korean Published Patent No. 10-2015-0114797 (Published Oct. 13, 2015)

[0010] Prior Art 2: Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1600037 (Published March 7, 2016)

[0011] The present invention was developed to resolve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a ship ballast water treatment device configured such that seawater containing an oxidizing agent generated in the electrolytic cell is injected directly into the main pipe, and at the same time, a high voltage applied to the electrolytic cell can sterilize microorganisms in the seawater by giving an electric shock to the main pipe.

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

[0013] Meanwhile, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned above.

[0014] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides a ship ballast water treatment device that injects the treated seawater into a main pipe to kill microorganisms after electrolytic treatment of seawater, comprising: a side pipe that separates the seawater flowing into the main pipe and supplies it back to the main pipe; and an electrolytic cell that generates an oxidizing agent by electrolytically treating the seawater flowing into the side pipe, wherein the electrolytic cell is provided with an inlet connected to the side pipe and an outlet connected to the main pipe, and the electrolytic water generated by electrolytically treating the seawater flowing in from the side pipe is discharged into the main pipe through the outlet.

[0015] Preferably, the electrolytic cell is characterized in that at least a portion, including the discharge port, is embedded in the main pipe, so that the electrolytic water from the electrolytic cell is injected directly into the main pipe without passing through a separate pipe.

[0016] More preferably, the electrolytic cell is characterized by having at least one electrode exposure hole so that at least some of the electrodes provided inside are exposed to the ballast water flowing inside the main pipe.

[0017] Herein, the invention further includes a PWM rectifier that supplies power to the electrolytic cell, wherein the PWM rectifier converts the power supplied to the electrolytic cell into a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal form to instantaneously apply high voltage to the electrodes, thereby generating an electric shock to the ballast water flowing through the main pipe.

[0018] Preferably, the electrode exposure holes are provided on the bottom or side of the electrolytic cell and are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the main pipe, the electrodes inside the electrolytic cell are arranged to face one side of the electrolytic cell where the electrode exposure holes are provided, and among the electrodes, the electrode adjacent to the one side of the electrolytic cell is arranged to be in close contact with the electrode exposure holes.

[0019] Additionally, the invention further includes a seawater storage tank that stores seawater introduced from the ship's sea chest, and is characterized in that, during ballasting operations of the ship in a freshwater area port, the seawater stored in the seawater storage tank is supplied to the electrolytic cell through a side pipe.

[0020] Preferably, an electrical conductivity measuring sensor is installed on the upstream side of the side pipe to measure the electrical conductivity of seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell, and if 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 side pipe is opened to allow seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank to flow into the electrolytic cell.

[0021] Additionally, the drain pipe is provided at the bottom of the main pipe in which the electrolytic cell is built.

[0022] In addition, the power supply connection that supplies current to the electrolytic cell is characterized by having a pressure-resistant explosion-proof structure.

[0023] According to the present invention, the simple configuration of the device and the minimization of the installation area of ​​the device, which are advantages of a full-water treatment type ballast water treatment device, are possible, and the ballast water can be sterilized by generating an oxidizing agent even while operating in a freshwater area, which is an advantage of a side-stream type ballast water treatment device.

[0024] In addition, the present invention can more effectively kill microorganisms in ship ballast water by utilizing physical shock caused by electric shock of an electrode exposed to the ship ballast water in the main piping, in addition to chemical sterilization treatment by the electrolyzed water of the electrolytic cell.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the main piping and electrolytic cell of a ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the main piping and electrolytic cell of a ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the main piping and electrolytic cell of a ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, in the description of the present invention below, terms referring to the components of the present invention are named considering the functions of each component, and should not be understood as limiting the technical components of the present invention.

[0030]

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention is a ballast water treatment device of the electrolysis type that treats seawater by electrolysis and then injects the treated seawater into a main pipe to kill microorganisms. For example, the present invention is a ballast water treatment device that sterilizes ballast water by taking a portion of the 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) and treating it by electrolysis, and then injecting the treated electrolytic water, i.e., seawater containing an oxidizing agent, into the main pipe (100).

[0032] Specifically, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention comprises: 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) to take a portion of the seawater flowing through the main pipe (100) and supply the taken seawater back to the main pipe (100); and an electrolytic cell (300) that electrolyzes the seawater flowing into the side pipe (200) to produce an oxidizing agent.

[0033] Here, the side pipe (200) includes a first pipe (210) for taking seawater from the main pipe (100) and a second pipe (220) for supplying the seawater from the first pipe (210) to the electrolytic tank (300). The electrolytic tank (300) is equipped with an inlet (310) connected to the second pipe (220) of the side pipe (200) and an outlet (320) connected to the main pipe (100). With this configuration, the electrolytic tank (300) electrolyzes the seawater flowing in from the side pipe (200) to produce electrolytic water, which is then discharged into the main pipe (100) through the electrolytic tank outlet (320).

[0034] Preferably, at least a portion of the electrolytic cell (300), including the outlet (320), is embedded in the main pipe (100). Accordingly, seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) through the side pipe (200) is electrolyzed and converted into electrolytic water, and this electrolytic water is injected directly into the main pipe (100) through the outlet (320) of the electrolytic cell (300) to sterilize the ballast water flowing through the main pipe (100).

[0035] In this way, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention can implement a ballast water treatment device in which seawater is drawn from the main pipe (100) to the side pipe (200), an oxidizing agent is generated in the electrolytic cell (300), and then injected back into the main pipe (100). In particular, since the electrolytic water from the electrolytic cell (30) is injected directly into the main pipe (100) without passing through a separate pipe, the size of the entire device can be minimized and manufacturing costs reduced, and there is no need to install air vents, blowers, hydrogen gas sensors, valves, etc., which are provided for gas removal, so there is no need to maintain them.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of electrodes inside an electrolytic cell (30). These electrodes can be detachably installed within an electrode mounting portion (330) formed inside the electrolytic cell (300). Here, the electrolytic cell (300) is provided with at least one electrode exposure hole (340) so that at least some of the electrodes are exposed to the ship ballast water flowing inside the main pipe (100). That is, some of the electrodes provided in the electrolytic cell (300) come into direct contact with the ship ballast water flowing through the main pipe (100) through the electrode exposure hole (340).

[0037] In this way, when some of the electrodes of the electrolytic cell (300) are in direct contact with the ballast water through the electrode exposure hole (340), if a high voltage is applied to the electrodes instantaneously, an electric shock occurs, which can cause a physical shock to the microorganisms in the ballast water flowing through the main pipe (100).

[0038] The ballast water treatment device according to the present invention may further include a PWM rectifier (not shown) that supplies power to an electrolytic cell (300) to instantaneously apply high voltage to the electrodes. This PWM rectifier converts the power supplied to the electrolytic cell (300) into a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal form so that high voltage is instantaneously applied to the electrodes, thereby generating an electric shock to the ballast water flowing through the main pipe (100). Here, the PWM rectifier controls the duty cycle of the PWM signal to supply power that exhibits a rapid increase or decrease in the form of a pulse width modulation signal rather than a conventional flat DC power supply, thereby causing an electric shock to occur to the electrodes exposed to the ballast water of the main pipe (100).

[0039] In this way, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention can more effectively kill microorganisms in the ballast water by using a physical shock caused by an electric shock of an electrode exposed to the ballast water of the main pipe (100) in addition to chemical sterilization treatment by the electrolytic water of the electrolytic cell (300).

[0040] Preferably, the electrode exposure holes (340) of the electrolytic cell (300) are provided on the bottom or side of the electrolytic cell (300) embedded in the main pipe (100) and may be spaced apart from each other at a certain distance along the longitudinal direction of the main pipe (100). By arranging the electrode exposure holes (340) of the electrolytic cell (300) in this way, the contact time between the ballast water flowing through the main pipe (100) and the electrodes can be increased, thereby increasing the effect of killing microorganisms by electric shock.

[0041] Additionally, the electrodes inside the electrolytic cell (300) are arranged to face one side of the electrolytic cell (300) which is equipped with an electrode exposure hole (340). Furthermore, the electrode adjacent to one side of the electrolytic cell (300) is arranged to be in close contact with the electrode exposure hole (340), thereby preventing the electrolytic water from flowing out toward the main pipe (100) through the electrode exposure hole (340).

[0042] Additionally, it is preferable that the electrodes inside the electrolytic cell (300) have a plurality of electrodes arranged in series within the electrode mounting portion (330), or a plurality of sets of electrodes arranged in parallel are arranged in series. This series arrangement of electrodes or sets of electrodes has the advantage of being able to produce the same electrolysis effect while reducing the current applied to the electrodes, thereby allowing the use of thin wires.

[0043] Meanwhile, the ship ballast water treatment device according to the present invention may further include a seawater storage tank (after peak tank) (30) that stores seawater introduced from the sea chest (10) in advance. This seawater storage tank (30) is connected to a branch pipe (230) branched from the first pipe (210) of the side pipe (200), and a valve (231) for controlling fluid is installed in this branch pipe (230).

[0044] With this configuration, when a ship performs ballasting operations in a port in a freshwater area, seawater stored in advance in a seawater storage tank (30) is supplied to an electrolytic cell (300) through a side pipe (200) to generate an oxidizing agent, thereby allowing the ballast water to be sterilized even in a freshwater area.

[0045] Additionally, an electrical conductivity measuring sensor (240) for measuring the electrical conductivity of seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) may be installed on the upstream side of the side pipe (200). If, based on the measurement result of the electrical conductivity measuring sensor (240), it is determined that the fluid flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) is fresh water, the valve (231) installed in the branch pipe (230) may be opened to allow seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank (30) to flow into the electrolytic cell (300).

[0046] Thus, the ballast water treatment device according to the present invention can generate an oxidizing agent in the electrolytic cell (300) using seawater stored in advance in the seawater storage tank (30) even when the ship is sailing in a freshwater area, thereby enabling ballasting operations of the ship in both seawater and freshwater areas. Furthermore, the present invention can generate a high concentration of oxidizing agent using seawater stored in advance in the seawater storage tank (30).

[0047] Meanwhile, on the upstream side of the main pipe (100), that is, on the upstream side of the point where the main pipe (100) branches off to the side pipe (200), a ballast pump (110) that operates to allow seawater from the sea chest (10) to flow into the ballast tank (20) and a flow meter (120) that measures the flow rate of seawater flowing into the main pipe (100) are installed. Additionally, on the side pipe (200), a side pipe pump (250) and a valve (211) are installed to allow seawater flowing through the main pipe (100) to flow into the electrolytic cell (300). Furthermore, on the upstream side of the side pipe pump (250) in the side pipe (200), a strainer (260) that filters out foreign substances in the seawater flowing into the electrolytic cell (300) is installed to protect the electrolytic electrode contained inside the electrolytic cell (300). And, in the side pipe (200), a flow meter (270) may be installed on the downstream side of the side pipe pump (250).

[0048] In addition, a TRO sensor (130) is installed on the downstream side of the main pipe (100), that is, on the upstream side of the point where it branches off from the main pipe (100) to the ballast tank (20), to measure the concentration of TRO (total residual oxidizing agent) in seawater containing an oxidizing agent generated in the electrolytic cell (300).

[0049] Preferably, a fluid control valve (101, 102) is installed at the front and rear ends of the main pipe (100) in which the electrolytic cell (300) is built, and a drain pipe (103) is provided at the bottom of the main pipe (100) in which the electrolytic cell (300) is built. With this configuration, when maintenance of the electrolytic electrode inside the electrolytic cell (300) is required, the electrode can be cleaned by supplying a cleaning water, such as citric acid, into the electrolytic cell (300) while the valves (101, 102) installed at the front and rear ends of the main pipe (100) are closed, and then the cleaning wastewater can be discharged through the drain pipe (103).

[0050] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the power supply connection part that supplies current to the electrolytic cell (300), for example, the current supply terminal block and cover connected to the electrolytic cell (300), have a pressure-resistant explosion-proof structure.

[0051]

[0052] 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 by the following claims. Furthermore, as those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention, all technical concepts within the scope equivalent to the present invention should be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ship ballast water treatment device that injects the treated seawater into the main pipe to kill microorganisms after electrolyzing seawater, A side pipe that separates seawater flowing into the main pipe and supplies it back to the main pipe; and It includes an electrolytic cell that generates an oxidizing agent by electrolyzing seawater introduced through the above-mentioned side pipe, and A ship ballast water treatment device wherein the electrolytic cell is equipped with an inlet connected to the side pipe and an outlet connected to the main pipe, and electrolytic water generated by electrolyzing seawater introduced from the side pipe is discharged into the main pipe through the outlet.

2. In Paragraph 1, A ship ballast water treatment device characterized in that at least a portion of the electrolytic cell, including the discharge port, is embedded in the main pipe, and the electrolytic water from the electrolytic cell is injected directly into the main pipe without passing through a separate pipe.

3. In Paragraph 2, A ballast water treatment device characterized in that the electrolytic cell has at least one electrode exposure hole so that at least some of the electrodes provided inside are exposed to ballast water flowing inside the main pipe.

4. In Paragraph 3, A ballast water treatment device further comprising a PWM rectifier that supplies power to the electrolytic cell, wherein the PWM rectifier converts the power supplied to the electrolytic cell into a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal form to instantaneously apply a high voltage to the electrodes, thereby generating an electric shock to the ballast water flowing through the main pipe.

5. In Paragraph 3, The electrode exposure holes are provided on the bottom or side of the electrolytic cell and are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the main pipe. A ship ballast water treatment device characterized in that the electrodes inside the electrolytic cell are arranged to face one side of the electrolytic cell having the electrode exposure hole, and among the electrodes, the electrode adjacent to the one side of the electrolytic cell is arranged to be in close contact with the electrode exposure hole.

6. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a seawater storage tank that pre-stores seawater flowing in from the ship's sea chest, and A ship ballast water treatment device characterized by supplying seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank to the electrolytic cell through a side pipe during ballasting operations of a ship in a freshwater area port.

7. In Paragraph 6, An electrical conductivity measuring sensor is installed on the upstream side of the above-mentioned side pipe to measure the electrical conductivity of seawater flowing into the above-mentioned electrolytic cell, and A ship ballast water treatment device characterized by, when the measurement result of the electrical conductivity measuring sensor determines that the fluid flowing into the electrolytic cell is fresh water, opening a valve installed between the seawater storage tank and the side pipe to allow seawater previously stored in the seawater storage tank to flow into the electrolytic cell.

8. In Paragraph 1, A ship ballast water treatment device characterized by having a drain pipe provided at the bottom of the main pipe in which the above electrolytic cell is built.

9. In Paragraph 1, A ship ballast water treatment device characterized in that the power supply connection supplying current to the electrolytic cell has a pressure-resistant explosion-proof structure.

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