Ballast Water Cleaning Unit Drainage Pump Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballast water treatment systems are space-consuming and require the cleaning in place (CIP) unit to be placed below the treatment unit, with complex connections and limited space efficiency, especially on ships where space is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A compact ballast water treatment system design where the cleaning unit is placed on the same level or above the reactor, utilizing a drain removal pump to return cleaning medium back to the unit, and incorporating non-corrosive materials and compressed air-driven pumps to enhance space utilization and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the CIP unit is placed below the treatment unit to enable drainage by gravity, then the drainage function is simplified, but the system occupies more space and requires complex connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pump to create hydraulic pressure that actively returns cleaning medium from the reactor to the CIP unit, replacing passive gravity-based drainage. This allows the CIP unit to be positioned at the same level or above the reactor, eliminating the need for vertical space while maintaining effective drainage through pressure-driven flow
2Ease of operation
If the CIP unit is placed below the treatment unit, then drainage is enabled, but the system becomes more complex with extensive connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CIP unit with the treatment unit at the same deck level, merging their spatial locations. This integration reduces the number of long-distance connections and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining all necessary functional connections through shorter, more manageable piping
3Volume of moving object
If extensive adaptations are made to place the CIP unit at the same level as the reactor, then space is saved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pump located within the CIP unit to self-return the cleaning medium to the reactor and to self-drain the reactor, eliminating the need for separate drainage systems or complex adaptive mechanisms. The pump automatically performs both circulation and drainage functions, simplifying the overall system despite the horizontal placement configuration
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
This design allows for a more compact and efficient ballast water treatment system, reducing space requirements and simplifying connections, while ensuring effective cleaning and corrosion resistance, thus addressing the limitations of previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation means circulating liquid cleaning medium from said tank via an outlet pipe to said reactor and back to said tank via a return pipe during cleaning of the system
Implementation Method 2
a drain removal pump adapted to drain said reactor of liquid cleaning medium after said cleaning of the reactor and adapted to return the liquid cleaning medium back from the reactor to the cleaning unit
Implementation Method 3
the filter is arranged before the reactor to remove particles during ballasting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Cleaning unit for cleaning of a ballast water treatment system, said system comprising at least one reactor (10), said cleaning unit comprising a tank (21) for liquid cleaning medium, a circulation means (3) circulating liquid cleaning medium from said tank (21) via an outlet pipe (23) to said reactor (10) and back to said tank (21) via a return pipe (27) during cleaning of the system, and a drain removal pump (5) adapted to drain said reactor (10) of liquid cleaning medium after said cleaning of the system. The invention also relates to a ballast water treatment system and a use of said ballast water treatment system.