Alfa Laval recently introduced a 1,500 m3/h UV reactor size to the Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 family. Optimised for 50% more flow than its largest predecessor, it has enabled streamlined and cost-effective configurations for tankers and other vessels with large ballast water flows.
Today’s PureBallast 3 reactor range comprises 170, 300, 600, 1,000 and 1,500 m3/h sizes. Alone or in combination, these enable PureBallast 3 system flows of 32–3,000 m3/h, with multiple systems handling even larger capacities.
With the addition of the 1,500 m3/h reactor, PureBallast 3 systems have become even more optimised for flows of 1,000 m3/h or more. This may strengthen a current trend, in which tankers and other vessels with large ballast water flows are moving from electrochlorination to chemical-free UV treatment.
“Many shipowners are reconsidering what they’ve been told about ballast water treatment for large flows,” says head of Alfa Laval PureBallast Anders Lindmark. “Heating needs, tanks for high-salinity water and the management of chemicals add size, complexity and cost for electrochlorination systems.”
“Alfa Laval has been in a strong competitive position and has received many orders for large-flow systems,” Mr Lindmark continues. “But the new 1,500 m3/h reactor provides an even better fit, right at the optimal intersection of biological effect, system size and power requirements.”
Reduced complexity and cost in installation
Above all, the 1,500 m3/h reactor means a reduction in the already small number of reactors used by PureBallast 3 for large flows. A 3,000 m3/h system is achieved with just two reactors, for example, while a 1,500 m3/h system goes from two reactors to one.
“The fewer the reactors involved, the lower the complexity and cost of installing the ballast water treatment system,” Mr Lindmark says. “For a system flow of 1,500 m3/h, for example, we’ve previously had to install reactor capacity for 2,000 m3/h. Now one reactor will do the full job, without over-dimensioning and with a considerable reduction in installation costs.”
The lowest cost of ownership
In the case of a 1,500 m3/h system, the new reactor means not only a reduction in footprint, but also improved opex through a substantial reduction in power consumption. When updating the range of PureBallast 3 configurations, however, Alfa Laval has kept lifecycle costs in focus. Although it could be constructed with the 1,500 m3/h reactor, a 1,200 m3/h system is more energy efficient with two 600 m3/h reactors – thus ensuring the lowest costs over time.
“With five reactor sizes, we can fine-tune PureBallast 3 systems for any flow range,” says Mr Lindmark, who points out that UV operating costs are already lower than those for electrochlorination systems. “When it comes to ballast water treatment for large flows, the 1,500 m3/h reactor doesn’t just strengthen our offering. It truly changes the equation for UV.”
To learn more about Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 and Alfa Laval’s approach to ballast water treatment, visit www.alfalaval.com/pureballast
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