Ballast Water Ozone Injection Control for Safe Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ballast water treatment systems fail to efficiently and safely manage ozone levels, leading to potential environmental pollution and non-compliance with regulations.
Innovation Solution
A ballast water treatment system comprising an air compressor, oxygen generator, ozone generator, and ozone injector, along with pressure gauges and valves for controlled ozone injection, and a neutralization device, with a method that includes initial pressure testing, ozone generation, and ozone injection steps to ensure safe ozone management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozone is generated and injected into ballast water for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but risk of harmful ozone gas outflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
A neutralizing agent is introduced as an intermediary substance to react with and neutralize excess ozone before it can escape into the environment. The neutralizing agent is injected into the ballast water after ozone treatment, converting harmful ozone into harmless substances through chemical reaction, thus eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the sterilization benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect ozone concentration in the ballast water and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the ozone generator and neutralizing agent injector are dynamically adjusted to maintain ozone levels within safe ranges, preventing both insufficient sterilization and harmful ozone outflow
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple components are added for ozone management, then ozone control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single centralized controller that manages the ozone generator, neutralizing agent injector, sensors, and safety valves. This merging of control functions reduces operational complexity and coordination overhead while maintaining precise control over ozone levels through unified management
3Reliability
If pressure gauges and control valves are installed for ozone monitoring, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure gauges are installed at strategic points in the system to monitor pressure levels before ozone generation and injection. Control valves are pre-positioned to automatically adjust or shut off ozone flow when pressure exceeds safe thresholds, preventing harmful outflow before it occurs. This preliminary monitoring and control approach enhances safety while keeping the added complexity manageable through proactive rather than reactive measures
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 system enables efficient and safe ozone management, preventing harmful ozone gas outflow and ensuring compliance with regulations by controlling ozone levels within specific ranges.
Implementation Method 1
an air compressor for compressing air
Implementation Method 2
an oxygen generator for generating oxygen from the air supplied from the air receiver tank
Implementation Method 3
an ozone generator for generating ozone from the oxygen supplied from the oxygen receiver tank
Implementation Method 4
a neutralization device for supplying a neutralizing agent to the discharge line to neutralize residual active materials contained in the ballast water discharged through the discharge line
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ballast water treatment system including an air compressor for compressing air; an air receiver tank for receiving the compressed air from the air compressor and storing the compressed air; an oxygen generator for generating oxygen from the air supplied from the air receiver tank; an oxygen receiver tank for storing the oxygen supplied from the oxygen generator; an ozone generator for generating ozone from the oxygen supplied from the oxygen receiver tank; a ballast water pump for pumping ballast water; an inflow line for transferring the ballast water from the ballast water pump; a ballast water tank for receiving the ballast water from the inflow line and storing the ballast water; and an ozone injector for injecting the ozone into the ballast water of the inflow line.