Alternative disinfection of potable and swimming pool water on board

Design

We understand that smart design is the cornerstone of efficient, sustainable, and safe maritime operations. Our team of designers and engineers works closely with shipowners and operators to deliver cutting-edge solutions tailored to the specific needs of each vessel and fleet.

Engineering

Our team of highly skilled engineers brings us a wealth of experience and expertise to the maritime industry, offering comprehensive engineering solutions that are vital for both new builds and existing vessels. With installations of our systems on over 40 cruise ships, we focus on delivering efficient, reliable, and innovative engineering services to ensure that your fleet operates at peak performance.

Hygienically clean water

To supply passengers and crew members with fresh, hygienically clean water is challenging on ships. Shipboard potable water (drinking, bathing, whirlpools, etc.) is either purchased onshore or generated on board from seawater via reverse osmosis systems or evaporators. Additional requirements must be followed to maintain hygienic standards.

Among various other requirements, the water on board is treated according to USPH standards (United States Public Health Service). USPH inspects most vessels twice a year to ensure compliance with these standards as well as other USPH requirements.

Using the aquagroup generators, you not only meet the requirements of the USPH, but also generate your own disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite based on electrolysis with 5,000 ppm in concentrate) on board. Only water, electricity and salt are required for production. Harmless resources that are available worldwide.

Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) is used to prevent or stop the growth of microbiological activity in water. Active chlorine disinfects by the chlorination oxidation reaction of RNA/DNA and destroys the Extra cellular Polymeric Sustenance’s (EPS) of a biofilm. This EPS layer protects the micro-organisms present in the biofilm and facilitates the transport of nutrients.

Factors contributing to waterborne outbreaks include contaminated bunkered water, cross connections between potable and non-potable water, improper loading procedures, poor design and construction of potable water storage tanks and inadequate disinfection. The presence of biofilms within a system plays a significant role in harboring and providing favorable conditions in which the bacteria (legionella) may grow. Microorganisms including bacteria living in a biofilm are often more resistant to traditional sanitizing procedures, posing a serious health risk and possible contaminant.

A ship is responsible for the quality and safety of the supplied drinking water and the pool water and the maintenance of such that bacteria does not negatively impact the quality of the drinking water/ pool water provided thereby possessing any health risk to consumers. However the (bacteriological) quality of drinking and process/pool water often changes during buffering and transport.

The objective of the ECA process water treatment is to avoid the multiplication of micro-organisms and to prevent the agglomeration of micro-organisms into a biofilm.

Technology Qualification

Programming and Automation

At aquagroup, we offer programming and automation solutions specifically designed to enhance the efficiency and safety of maritime operations. With the increasing reliance on technology in the maritime industry, our team of experts delivers innovative solutions that optimize your vessel’s performance and reduce downtime.

Visualization and control of all units can be accessed and controlled via laptop.

Installation and Commissioning

We offer: Pumps, Analyzers and Dosing equipment, UV units, Water Softener, osmosis systems, Salt for Water Softener, Fluid Control Equipment, etc. …

WHO recommends

Sodium Hypochlorite is used in many applications throughout the world as biocide for drinking and process water sanitizing and disinfection. Its applications are prescribed by the World Health Organization and authorized in different international and national legislation, including Europe’s Biocide Product Directive.

Reduction of physical effort for freight forwarder and staff on the ship

The physical effort required by the ship’s crew and the entire logistics chain, as well as the demand for storage space, is significantly reduced with the use of on-site produced sodium hypochlorite solution. This is evident when comparing the consumption data of conventionally produced sodium hypochlorite solution (with a concentration of 10–13% NaOCl), typically supplied in canisters, against the salt consumption data on ships retrofitted with the Chlorine Production System.

In this context, the annual effort is reduced from 265 to 73 pallets, representing a reduction of physical and logistic effort by approximately 72.5%. Furthermore, the conventional 10–13% NaOCl solution is classified as hazardous material, requiring special safety measures, incurring higher costs for transport and handling, and increasing the risk of logistical and workplace accidents.

By contrast, the 0.6% sodium hypochlorite solution produced on-site using the aqagroup´s Chlorine Production System is not classified as hazardous material. This not only eliminates the need for costly safety precautions but also significantly reduces the strain on installed components.

Comparison between the conventional 12 % chlorine solution in pales and salt bags:

The potential savings in operating costs using on-site produced chlorine compared to conventional chlorine amount to between 127,120 € and 158,900 € (depending on the purchase price of conventional chlorine). Savings in handling costs are not yet included in this calculation (compare handling of 265 pallets of hazardous conventional chlorine with the handling of 73 pallets of salt for the on-site production of chlorine).

Supplier Services

With many years of experience, aquagroup provides comprehensive supplier services to the global maritime industry. From essential spare parts to specialized services, we streamline the supply chain for shipowners, operators, and marine service providers.

Spare parts brands

Well-known companies like: PROMINENT, SIEMENS, GEORG FISCHER, SPECK Pumps, GEMÜ, Endress+Hauser, FLECK, CLACK, Pentair, Harmsco and many more

References

In situ versus canned goods

The most common method for the generation of active chlorine in process water is the dosing of bleach or bleach related products. This involves the transport and handling of dangerous chemicals trough urban areas and of buffering the chemicals on ships for longer time periods. The storage of these chemicals often leads to the building of chlorates which can reduce the efficacy of the chemicals and therefore puts the customers at risk. In spite of intensive training and safety measurements the transport and handling of bleach related products regularly leads to human accidents.

The ECA water generator offers the advantage of producing active chlorine out of a harmless Sodium Chloride salt solution which is easy to handle and worldwide available. This process substantially reduces the risks involved in the distribution, transport, storage and handling of the dangerous active chlorine treatment of the process water on ships.

In addition to the very good microbiological efficacy, the advantages are biofilm reduction as well as the fact that NADES 2.0 is not a hazardous substance – as opposed to conventional sodium hypochlorite. In addition, transport, storage and disposal of canisters are avoided by means of in-situ, i.e. on site, production.

We therefore offer employee safety combined with microbiological safety plus sustainability.

Process Description: NADES 2.0 on board

The installation of ECA devices to produce NaOCl on site and on demand. ECA devices will be installed with enough production and buffering capacity to enable the manufacture of sufficient NaOCl to cover the sanitation of the potable water system, every pool and whirlpool on board. Transfer of the medium will be undertaken fully automatic via transfer system.

USPH & DNV

Our generators are already in use on numerous cruise ships with various applications in the area of drinking water and pool water disinfection. Of course, our devices are DNV approved!

Never buy disinfectants again

Highly effective disinfectant is automatically produced by aquagroup systems.

Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)

The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assists the cruise ship industry to prevent and control the introduction, transmission, and spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships.

VSP operates under the authority of the Public Health Service Act.

The VSP Construction Guidelines cover components of the vessel’s facilities related to public health, including food storage, preparation, and service, and water bunkering, storage, disinfection, and distribution.

Vessel owners and operators may select the design and equipment that best meets their needs. However, the design and equipment must also meet the sanitary design criteria of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or equivalent organization as well as VSP’s routine operational inspection requirements.

Purchase or Lease

The choice is yours—select the model that fits you best. Our experts are happy to create a personalized plan just for you. You decide which model suits you best. Our experts will gladly develop a customized plan tailored to your needs.

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