ALPURE Ballast Water Treatment System Successfully Completes Corrosion Testing Program

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. – 9 March 2011 – The BALPURE ballast water treatment systemfrom Severn Trent De Nora satisfies corrosion test recommendations of the IMO MEPC 59/2/16.  The corrosion testing, performed by an independent third-party institute, proved the BALPURE system has no effect on coated steel, naval bronze and Cu-Ni alloys. Testing proved an insignificant effect on bare steel – so small that the acceleration of corrosion due to the presence of free chlorine has minimal practical implications in ballast tanks. Therefore, the BALPURE ballast water treatment system will not impact the life expectancy of a ship.
The corrosion testing program, undertaken by GL Noble Denton, included accelerated studies for the BALPURE ballast water treatment system in untreated and full-salinity, treated, seawater up to 8 mg/liter (ppm) total residual chlorine. Comparative studies were made using uncoated steel test specimens and coated test specimens. All specimens met IMO Resolution MSC.215(82)-compliant ballast tank coatings requirements.
Effective corrosion control in ballast water tanks is one of the most important features in determining a ship’s lifespan. When evaluating a ballast water treatment system, ship builders and owners must know the effect the system will have on the overall vessel to eliminate impact to the corrosion-protecting coatings in the ballast tanks.Third-party corrosion testing against the IMO MEPC 59/2/16 recommendations is a must for every viable ballast water treatment system.
As the market leader in the design and manufacture of electrolytic seawater disinfection systems, Severn Trent De Nora has applied its 35-plus years of marine equipment experience to the treatment of ballast water with the BALPUREsystem. 
The patented (U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,348) BALPUREsystem is a proven, effective and economical electrolytic disinfection solution to treat ballast water. Environmentally safe and easy to maintain, the self-cleaning BALPUREsystem offers an operating cost of less than EUR 0.022 (USD 0.031) per m3 of ballast water treated. Designed with easy-to-separate subassemblies, BALPURE eliminates the requirement for design changes to a vessel’s engine room. Ideal for high-capacity applications, the BALPUREsystem can offer energy savings of up to 60 percent compared to competitive technologies.

Source: Severn Trent De Nora