Ballast Water Hypochlorite Generation with TOC Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The release of ballast water from marine vessels can introduce non-native marine species and pathogenic bacteria into new ecosystems, causing environmental harm and health risks, as existing methods are inadequate in fully addressing these issues.

Innovation Solution

A system and process for treating ballast water using on-site hypochlorite generation, involving hypochlorite electrolytic cells, total organic carbon analyzers, and control systems to adjust hypochlorite production based on the water's oxidant demand, ensuring effective elimination of marine organisms and bacteria before discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chlorination is used to disinfect ballast water, then marine organisms and bacteria are eliminated, but residual chlorine may harm the new ecosystem upon discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidecological harm from residual chlorine

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the disinfectant from traditional chlorine to hypochlorite generated on-site. This parameter change allows for controlled decomposition of hypochlorite into oxygen and salt, eliminating harmful residual chlorine while maintaining disinfection effectiveness against marine organisms and bacteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses hypochlorite, a strong oxidizing agent, to eliminate marine organisms and bacteria in ballast water. The on-site generation ensures adequate oxidizing power while controlling residual levels to prevent ecological harm upon discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Reliability

If on-site hypochlorite generation is implemented, then ballast water treatment effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballast water treatment effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses salt water already present on board the vessel as the source for hypochlorite generation, eliminating the need for external chemical storage and supply chains. The on-site electrolytic generation converts readily available salt water into the required disinfectant, reducing external dependencies while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hypochlorite generation system serves multiple functions: it generates the disinfectant hypochlorite, provides controlled dosing based on water quality analysis, and ensures safe decomposition into harmless byproducts. This multi-functionality consolidates several treatment steps into one integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If hypochlorite is added to ballast water, then pathogens are eliminated, but organic matter consumption increases oxidant demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen eliminationVSAvoidoxidant consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates total organic carbon (TOC) analysis to measure the organic matter content in ballast water. This feedback information is used to adjust the hypochlorite generation rate, ensuring sufficient oxidant is provided to meet the actual demand from both organic matter breakdown and pathogen elimination, optimizing chemical usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 approach effectively eliminates non-native species and pathogens, preventing ecological disruption and waterborne disease outbreaks by maintaining residual halogen levels in the ballast water, ensuring the water is safe for discharge.

Implementation Method 1

hypochlorite electrolytic cells in fluid communication with a salt water source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a total organic carbon analyzer in fluid communication with the ballast water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal organic carbon analysis:

Implementation Method 3

Treating the ballast water with hypochlorite generated from the ballast water itself or an alternate salt water source eliminates many of the marine organisms and bacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS8152989B2System and process for treating ballast water

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 DE NORA WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A system and process for treating ballast water within an ocean going vessel by generating hypochlorite for treating the ballast water. The system comprises one or more hypochlorite electrolytic cells in fluid communication with ballast water. The total organic carbon content of the ballast water is ascertained and the amount of hypochlorite generated is modulated in response to the total organic carbon content of the ballast water. In one embodiment the system comprises a total organic carbon analyzer for measuring total organic carbon content.In one embodiment of the process of the invention, hypochlorite production is modulated so that the residual halogen-containing oxidizing agent is maintained in the ballast water. In another embodiment of the process, hypochlorite production is modulated to maintain a weight ratio of hypochlorite to total organic carbon in the ballast water ranging from about 1.0 to about 3.0.