Type approval for Canadian BWT system

The company says that rather than focusing on early type approval to minimum standards, for its Marinex system it focused on refinement of the BWT technology and a robust testing protocol. Trojan claims that its system and its IMO approval is distinguished in various respects.

First, the DNV testing was carried out not just to IMO standards, but in accordance with US Coast Guard protocols. DNV is said to be certified as an Independent Lab by USCG, in accordance with EPA environmental technology verification (ETV) ballast water protocol, which is a key testing requirement for systems to obtain USCG type approval.

The land-based tests were carried out at the DHI Maritime Technology evaluation facility in Hundested, Denmark and shipboard testing was completed on board the TS Golden Bear, both of which are part of DNV’s network of subcontractors approved by the USCG for BWT testing. The system was tested and approved to the lowest UV transmittance value (poor water quality) under full flow conditions, meeting the requirements of IMO Circular BWM.2/Circ.43c. Land-based testing was conducted up to 1,250m³/h to verify the efficacy of the system at higher flow rates, meeting the requirements of IMO circular BWM.2/Circ.33, said to be the largest flow land-based test of a BWT system. Finally, the system was tested and approved in all three salinity ranges – brackish, fresh and marine.

Trojan adds that its Marinex system differs from others in a further respect; in that custom-designed filtration and UV is integrated into in a single, compact unit. Trojan’s UV Solo Lamp technology is claimed to ensure the lowest installed power draw of any system, meaning that the system is suited to larger vessels, such as bulkers and tankers.

“We are the largest UV company in the world, and are committed to providing pioneering water treatment technologies that meet the highest standards and help protect and preserve our environment,” says Marvin DeVries, president, Trojan Technologies. “The IMO type approved Trojan Marinex product suite is a reflection of our forward-looking commitment to our customers. We performed our certification process, in every way possible, to the rigorous standards required by the United States Coast Guard, supporting our goal of achieving US type approval this year. Testing was successfully completed in the most challenging conditions. This dispels the myth that UV cannot be used in the poorest of water qualities and gives vessel owners the confidence and reassurance they deserve, knowing that their operations will be unencumbered.”