BallastMaster ultraV receives Type Approval

The two-stage system works with mechanical pre-filtration and subsequent disinfecting of the ballast water by UV-C and ultrasonic cleaning.

In the first stage, an upstream mechanical filtration system removes high concentrations of organisms and sedimentary particles by means of 20 microns sinter filter suction cleaning technology.

In the second stage, the pre-filtered ballast water is disinfected by UV-C light and ultrasonic cleaning. Using monochromatic light from low pressure UV lamps (LPUV) as opposed to visible light from medium pressure UV lamps (MPUV) delivers high levels of disinfection without side reactions and chemical by-products that might impact negatively on the environment or crew.

A representative from GEA Mechanical Equipment UK Ltd told GreenPort: “The latest installation of a BallastMaster ultraV on board a jack-up barge servicing offshore wind power installations is a clear sign that owners of vessels of all kinds see the need for early compliance with IMO ballast water regulations.”

“The BallastMaster ultraV is easy to use and, with high performance rates and low maintenance costs, offers a future-proof investment and worry free solution to ballast water treatment,” they added.

GEA also says the system guarantees a high degree of security with regard to the inactivation of micro-organisms such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, viruses and fish larvae as well as sediments in the water since the system operates with low energy and operating costs and requires no purchase of chemicals.

With the benefit of a small footprint and configuration flexibility, GEA says the BallastMaster ultraV is ideal as a retrofit installation.

The 500m³ installation is a scale-up of the 250m³ variant, which was certified to IMO Type Approval back in 2011.