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MERC Hyde Test Plan
12 April 2012
4
Prior to any formal testing, one mechanical calibration run of the Hyde system will be
provided to assure appropriate treatment operations. This run will identify and correct initial
mechanical or operating issues. Any data collected during calibration runs will only be used for
test preparations and will not be provided in the final report.
MERC will conduct two types of trials to evaluate the Hyde filter + UV system in
Baltimore, MD: (a) operations and maintenance (O&M) verification and (b) biological efficacy
evaluations. Each of the two Hyde systems arrangements (screen filter + UV and disc filter +
UV) will treated with at least a total of 2,250 m
3
(4,500 m
3
combined).
(a) O&M Testing - Prior to initiating any biological testing of treatment performance,
MERC will evaluate the operational and mechanical reliability of each Hyde systems options as
it treats at least 1,500 m
3
of water from the Port of Baltimore, at 250 m
3
/hr (approximately 6
hours). Since an active substance is not used in the Hyde system, water will be treated (passed
through the filter + UV system), then discharged directly overboard using a sea-to-sea pumping
mode. MERC will monitor power consumption, the various other O&M parameters listed in the
ETV protocols, and failures (if any).
(b) Biological Efficacy - MERC will conduct series of up to six biological efficacy tests
(three for each filter option) in Baltimore, with three-day holding times for each. See
descriptions below and in MERC QAPP and SOPs. For each of the three replicate, with each
filter option, TSS levels will be increased by adding Arizona Test Dust and micronized humate,
targeting sequential levels of approximately 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 75 mg/L (see Table 3).
5. Summary of Land-Based Testing and Sampling Design
The simulated ballast system of the MERC Mobile Test Platform
has been designed to
allow for water to be split equally, and delivered simultaneously, to a “control” (untreated) tank
and a “treated” tank (passing first through the treatment system). Hyde has selected a flow rate
of 250m
3
/hr for this set of evaluations. The mimic ballast tanks to be used for the three-day
holding times are identical in size (310 m
3
) and structure. Each tank will be filled to 250 - 300m
3
for each test trial. Water entering the control and test tanks is handled as close to identically as
possible, (e.g., passing through similar pumps and piping), aside from treated water passing
through the Hyde system. Detailed drawings of the MERC Mobile Test Platform and ballast
system can be found in SOPs.
Statistically-validated (Miller et al., 2011), continuous, time-integrated samples will be
taken for each of the following: (A) uptake water for both control and treated conditions, (B)
control and treated water upon discharge after a three-day holding time. Sample volumes and
details of the physical, chemical, and biological analyses for each sample are described below.
All samples collected to quantify live organisms or water quality will be taken by inline
sampling of water during the entire filling or discharge of water from the tanks through sample
ports located on appropriate filling or discharge pipes. All sample ports include a valve and
sample tube with a 90
o
bend towards the direction of flow, placed in the center of the piping
system (based on the design developed and validated by the US Naval Research Laboratory, Key
West Florida, see ETV protocols).
Water for biological examination is split for sampling the >50µm size fraction (nominally
zooplankton), and the other fractions (10-50 µm size fraction, bacteria, water quality, etc.).
Table 2 of samples to be collected, with corresponding volumes and purpose. At the completion
of each trial, test tanks are thoroughly cleaned by pressure washer, and piping is flushed with