Reducing a Major Environmental Threat

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A global challenge

Shipping moves over 80% of the world’s commodities and transfers almost 10 billion tonnes of ballast water across the oceans each year. It is estimated that more than 7,000 different marine species are transported around the world in ships’ ballast water each day. As a result, whole ecosystems are being changed, resulting in major impacts on ecological, economic and human health welfare around the globe.

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments was adopted by consensus among International Marine Organization (IMO) Member States in London in February 2004. The convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping. In the United States, the Great Lakes and the Hudson River are regulated. More than a dozen States have also adopted management regulations.

To comply with standards and regulations protecting the ocean environment, ship owners need a reliable, safe, and economical tool capable of effectively managing both marine life and sediment in ballast water. While there is a wide range of potential technologies that can be considered for ballast water treatment, filtration forms a key component in any successful system.

Technology description

Kinectrics’ Ever-Clear FilterÔ is an effective, safe and easy-to-service mechanical filtration system; custom designed to separate the components of the influent water in its primary treatment stage. As a primary treatment, the Ever-Clear Ô Filter is designed to remove silt and sediments, organic materials and all organisms > 40 microns in size from influent ballast water and immediately return these materials back to the source waters in a small fraction of the water stream. The remaining purged water stream is then treated in a separate secondary system to address organisms < 40 microns.

Innovative versatile design

The Ever-Clear Ô Filter System features 40 micron (other sizes available) interchangeable stainless steel filter screens, a flow rate up to 30,000 gpm, continuous or intermittent automated back-washing, and self-adjusting internal leaning heads.

The Ever-Clear Ô Filter System can be in easily integrated with other technologies such as UV light, ozone, or chemical treatments of ballast water to deliver a complete system solution.

Potential Applications

• Primary filtration stage for ballast water treatment system
• Removal of algae, silt, and sediments
• Removal of zebra mussels from flowing water systems at power plant intakes
• Particulate filtration for industrial and manufacturing processes
• Primary filtration for drinking water treatment (used with UV light or other systems)

Technical/Commercial Advantages

• Demonstrated in multiple test platforms
• Continuous filtration – no process interruption
• High flow rate
• Reduces downstream system maintenance costs
• Capable of handling different mesh screen sizes
• Epoxy powder coating for chemical resistance
• Short back-washing intervals
• Easy access for maintenance and operations
• Multi-stage capability
• Easily integrated with other secondary systems

Commercialization Status

• US and UK patents pending in Canada and Japan
• Demonstrated prototypes for zebra mussel control in multiple testing programs including
  • Nanticoke Generating Station
  • Great Lakes Barge Platform
  • Sir Adam Beck Generating Station
• Demonstrated operating performance conforming to ballast water treatment (BWT) testing guidelines

Available opportunities

Kinectrics is actively seeking cooperation for:

• Further development of Ever-Clear Ô technology for BWT applications
• BWT system testing and evaluation
• Commercial use of this technology in participating national territories
• Licensing

For more information, contact:

David Marttilla, 416.207.6000 x5891, david.marttila@kinectrics.com or

Luciano Gonzalez, 416.207.6000 x5876, luciano.gonzalez@kinectrics.com