Consideration on the Maximum Allowable Dosage of Active Substances Produced by Ballast Water Management System Using Electrolysis

Abstract

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments was adopted by IMO (International Maritime Organization) on 13 February 2004. Fifty-seven ballast water management systems were granted basic approval of active substance by IMO, among which thirty-seven systems were granted final approval. This paper studies the maximum allowable dosage of active substances produced by ballast water management system using electrolysis which is approved management system by IMO. The allowable dosage of active substances by electrolysis system is proposed by TRO (Total Residual Oxidant). However, between various management systems TRO concentration of maximum allowable dosage showed large differences, ranging from 1 to 15 ppm, depending on the management systems. The discrepancies of maximum allowable dosage among the management systems may be whether a filter is used or not, the difference in the specifications ofelectrolysis module, the kind of tested organisms, the number of individual organisms, and the difference of water quality, etc..