SKF’s BlueSonic ballast water treatment system became commercially available in October 2020, and was granted US Coast Guard type-approval on 14 April 2021
The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Center issued the 41st US Coast Guard ballast water management system (BWMS) type-approval certificate to SKF Marine GmbH after a detailed review of the manufacturer’s type-approval application determined the system met the requirements of 46 CFR 162.060.
The treatment principle of the SKF BlueSonic BWMS is based on filtration, ultrasonic waves, and UV treatment at intake, and ultrasonic waves and UV treatment at discharge. This approval covers models with maximum treatment rated capacities between 100 and 1,500 m3 per hour.
According to the US Coast Guard certification, the SKF system shall be installed and operated in accordance with the operation, maintenance, and safety manual, Rev. 2.5.8, dated 16 December 2020.
The US Coast Guard list the operational limitations as:
Salinity: not applicable
Temperature: not applicable
Hold time: > 24 hours
Minimum UV intensity (UVI): 260 W/m2
The SKF BlueSonic BWMS has not been verified to meet the requirements of 46 CFR Subchapters F and J, and may not be installed on a US-flag vessel. The BWMS is not intended for installation in hazardous locations on foreign-flag vessels.
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