Swedish engineering conglomerate launches ballast water treatment system

Swedish engineering conglomerate SKF, best known for its bearings, has entered the ever-more crowded field of ballast water management systems (BWMS) with what it says is a unique example of a UV-based BWMS.

SKF has launched BlueSonic, a UV-based system that uses ultrasonic frequencies to clean biofilm growth from the UV lamps, removing the need to halt operations to clean the lamps.

According to SKF, this process excludes the need for UV lamp tubes to be cleaned with chemicals, which according to the manufacturer is more environmentally friendly than other UV lamp-based systems on the market.

The SKF ballast water system is suitable for a wide range of vessels and can be used in almost any water temperature and salinity. It is currently undergoing rigorous testing and SKF is expecting to be granted a full compliance certificate in early 2020.

SKF said the new BWMS can be used at flow rates of up to 1,500 m3 per hour, is easy to install and operate and is backed by SKF's global support network.