Ballast Water Sterilization via CO2 Spray and Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballast water treatment technologies, such as electrolysis, pose environmental and safety risks due to hydrogen and oxygen gas production and potential ecosystem disruption, necessitating a safer and more effective method for sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A ballast water treatment apparatus using inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, which increases contact surface area and solubility, reduces gas production, and recirculates inert gas to minimize usage and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolysis is used to sterilize ballast water, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but hydrogen and oxygen gas production increases causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrolysis process with carbon dioxide injection to create an inert atmosphere in the ballast water tank. The carbon dioxide displaces oxygen and creates conditions unfavorable for microbial growth, achieving sterilization without producing explosive hydrogen and oxygen gases. This directly resolves the safety risk while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If inert gas is supplied to increase contact surface area with ballast water, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but inert gas consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a circulation system that continuously recycles carbon dioxide gas from the tank headspace back into the ballast water. This continuous circulation maximizes the utilization of the inert gas, maintaining sterilization effectiveness while minimizing gas consumption by repeatedly exposing the ballast water to the carbon dioxide atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of carbon dioxide between gas and dissolved states. By injecting carbon dioxide gas into the ballast water, it dissolves and creates carbonic acid which lowers pH and inhibits microbial growth. The system monitors and maintains optimal gas dissolution levels, achieving effective sterilization with minimized gas usage through controlled phase transitions.
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 method effectively sterilizes ballast water using carbon dioxide, reducing hydrogen and oxygen gas production, improving safety and environmental protection compared to traditional methods, while minimizing inert gas usage and enhancing marine ecosystem protection.
Implementation Method 1
A ballast water treatment apparatus using inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, which increases contact surface area and solubility
Implementation Method 2
a spray nozzle which supplies ballast water in the form of droplets into the tank
Implementation Method 3
a gas circulation unit which supplies inert gas to the spray nozzle, and sucks inert gas in the tank
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating ballast water, and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a ballast water treatment apparatus including: a tank; a spray nozzle which supplies ballast water in the form of droplets into the tank; and a gas circulation unit which supplies inert gas to the spray nozzle, and sucks inert gas that is not dissolved in the ballast water in the tank.