Prediction for Algae Removal Efficiencies of Porous Ceramic Filter on Ballast Water Treatment

Abstract

In light of urgent requirement of onboard ballast water treatment, this paper presents a laboratory study of an application of a novel wall-flow structure porous ceramic filter (PCF), with employment of UV light. It has been found that, for onboard treatment, the operational conditions may significantly affect the filter performance. To obtain optimal operational conditions and high filtration efficiencies on plankton, PCF was studied systematically though computational prediction and mathematical analysis. According to the strict criteria of International Maritime Organization (IMO) on ballast water treatment, high density of indicator algae were mixed into simulated ballast water as processing targets, and nearly 100% removal efficiencies are expected. Flow rate, algal density and algal size were chosen as three key operational conditions, was investigated on a 6L PCF. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the significance of the three factors on the response values of algae removal efficiencies.