2
3)
Less than the following concentrations of indicator microbes, as a human health standard:
1.
Toxigenic
Vibrio cholerae
(
serogroups O1 and O139), less than 1 colony forming unit
(
cfu) per 100 ml
2.
Escherichia coli,
less than 250 cfu per 100 ml;
3.
Intestinal Enterococci, less than 100 cfu per 100 ml.
4.
Summary of Test Protocols
4.1
Overview
Please note that this report describes the specifics for the MERC evaluation of the BIO-
SEA BWMS. Details on program policies and testing approaches/methodologies can be found in
the MERC Quality Management Plan (QMP), Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and
various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The fundamental approach of MERC is to
conduct independent, scientifically-sound, rigorous, and quality assured evaluations of ballast
water treatment systems using the framework provided in the G8/G9 guidelines and specific
methodologies found in ETV protocols. MERC utilizes G8 MEPC 58/23 ANNEX 4, Part 2,
Section 2.3.36 as the standard for a valid test trial: “If in any test cycle the average discharge
results from the control water is a concentration less than or equal to 10 times the values in
regulation D-2.1, the test cycle is invalid”.
Prior to any evaluations of O&M and biological efficacy, commissioning runs of the
BIO-SEA systems were conducted to assure appropriate treatment operations and to identify and
correct any initial mechanical or operating issues. The commissioning for the BIO-SEA 40
µ
m
screen filter + UV was successful and no modifications to the BWMS were made prior to MERC
land-based testing (as confirmed by the email sent by BIO-SEA to MERC dated 24 July 2012).
After successful commissioning, two types of test trials to evaluate the BIO-SEA BWMS
were conducted: (a) operations and maintenance (O&M) verification and (b) biological efficacy
evaluations. Prior to initiating biological testing, MERC evaluated the operational and
mechanical reliability of BIO-SEA BWMS for 8 hours of continuous operations (corresponding
to 800 m
3
of treated water). Since an active substance was not used, water was treated (passed
through the filter + UV system), then discharged directly overboard using a sea-to-sea pumping
mode. Power consumption, the various other O&M parameters listed in the ETV protocols, and
failures (if any) were monitored and noted. MERC also conducted four biological efficacy test
trials, with five-day holding times for each. See descriptions below and in MERC QAPP, Test
Plan and SOPs.
4.2
Approach 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). BIO-SEA selected a flow rate
of 100 m
3
/
hr for this evaluation, which would employ one UV reactor. After two Biological
Efficacy trials, BIO-SEA selected to increase the flow rate to 150 m
3
/
hr and to employ two UV
reactors. The mimic ballast tanks to be used for the five-day holding times are identical in size
(310
m
3
)
and structure. Each tank was to be filled to at least 150 m
3
for each test trial (see
section 5 below for actual tank volumes per trial). Water entering the control and test tanks was
handled as close to identically as possible, (e.g., passing through similar pumps and piping),
aside from treated water passing through the BIO-SEA system. Detailed drawings of the MERC
Mobile Test Platform and ballast system can be found in SOPs.