Bacteriophage Composition for Ballast Water Pathogen Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for treating ballast water are inefficient in eliminating pathogenic bacteria, often requiring high-cost equipment and generating toxic byproducts, and fail to provide residual effects, leading to secondary contamination during shipping.

Innovation Solution

A composition containing specific bacteriophages capable of targeting and eliminating pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, and Enterococcus faecalis, is introduced, which can be used as a biological treatment method to reduce or eliminate bacteria in ballast water, complementing existing treatments and providing a pro-environmental solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chemical treatment methods are used to eliminate pathogenic bacteria in ballast water, then bacteria elimination effectiveness is improved, but toxic byproducts are generated and environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacteria elimination effectivenessVSAvoidtoxic byproducts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical treatment methods with a biological treatment system using bacteriophage. Instead of using chemical agents that generate toxic byproducts, the invention employs specific bacteriophage (such as Staphylococcus aureus-specific bacteriophage, Salmonella enteritidis-specific bacteriophage, and Enterococcus faecalis-specific bacteriophage) to naturally infect and eliminate target pathogenic bacteria through biological mechanisms, thereby eliminating toxic byproduct generation while maintaining effective bacteria elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental treatment parameter from chemical concentration to biological agent dosage. The treatment effectiveness is controlled by adjusting the dosage and contact time of bacteriophage rather than chemical concentration, fundamentally altering the treatment mechanism to avoid toxic byproducts while achieving reliable pathogenic bacteria elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high-cost specialized equipment is used for ballast water treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but treatment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive bacteriophage preparations that can be easily manufactured and applied without requiring expensive specialized equipment. The bacteriophage can be stored in simple containers and applied directly to ballast water through basic mixing or injection systems, eliminating the need for costly treatment plants while maintaining effective pathogenic bacteria elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The bacteriophage system is self-replicating and self-targeting. Once introduced into ballast water, the bacteriophage naturally seek out and infect their specific target pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Enterococcus faecalis) without requiring external control systems or monitoring equipment, thereby reducing treatment costs while ensuring effective elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional treatment methods are used, then immediate bacteria reduction is achieved, but residual effects are lost leading to secondary contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate bacteria reductionVSAvoidresidual effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bacteriophage provide continuous protective action in ballast water. After the initial treatment reduces pathogenic bacteria levels, the bacteriophage remain active in the water, continuously seeking out and eliminating any remaining or newly introduced target pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Enterococcus faecalis). This continuous biological activity maintains long-term water quality and prevents secondary contamination without requiring repeated treatments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The bacteriophage-based treatment effectively reduces or eliminates pathogenic bacteria, is cost-effective, and provides residual effects that prevent secondary contamination, meeting stringent international standards without the need for specialized equipment.

Implementation Method 1

bacteriophage capable of killing specific target bacteria as an active ingredient in order to eliminate or reduce bacteria including pathogenic bacteria present in ballast water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBacteriophage lysis:

Data Source

PatentUS8329165B2Composition for the treatment of ballast water containing bacteriophage as an effective component and biological method with the same for removing bacteria present in ballast water

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 INTRON BIOTECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition for the treatment of ballast water containing bacteriophage capable of killing specific target bacteria as an active ingredient in order to eliminate or reduce bacteria including pathogenic bacteria present in ballast water, and a biological treatment method of ballast water.