Aquarius®UV BWTS receives type approval

The system is based on a two-stage treatment process: Upon uptake, seawater is first passed through a back washing screen type filter. The filtered seawater then passes through a UV chamber where ultra-violet light is used to disinfect the water before entering the ballast tank. On discharge, water from the ballast tank is again pumped through the UV chamber to complete the disinfection process prior to discharge. The filter is not used during discharge. The modular approach is said to provide maximum flexibility during system design and installation where key components are positioned to suit available space. Retrofit installations can be carried out either during dry-docking, at the quayside or while the ship is in operation, thus minimising any impact on ship downtime.
Working in partnership with the Netherlands' Flag Administration, independent testing facilities and the classification society Lloyds Register, Wärtsilä tested and optimised its Aquarius®UV BWTS during both land-based and shipboard trials. Land-based tests were conducted at the NIOZ (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research) test facility, and ship trials onboard the Chemgas BV-owned LPG carrier “Twister”.
The Aquarius® range of BWTS became part of the Wärtsilä portfolio with the acquisition of Hamworthy plc in January 2012. Wärtsilä Aquarius®UV is one of three BWTS products available from Wärtsilä.