About
By a Shipowner for Shipowners
Knutsen Ballast Water AS was founded in 2009. The KBAL BWTS has been developed by a ship owner for ship owners with a focus on operability in the real world maritime environment. Through use of patented Pressure-Vacuum technology, KBAL is the first ballast water treatment system that uses neither filters or chemicals.
KBAL is fully compliant in all waters and is capable of treating ballast water with a UV transmittance (UVT) as low as 26%, best in class among UV ballast water treatment systems, which allows KBAL to operate in challenging harbours where other systems cannot.
How it works
Untreated water
The ballast pump supplies untreated water to the inlet of the PV reactor at a pressure of 3 barA.
Pressure Vacuum Reactor
Water enters the PV reactor where an instantaneous pressure reduction combined with shear forces decompresses and destroys all the larger oganisms.
UV chamber
A second treatment barrier – the UV chamber – eliminates any remaining small organisms such as algae and bacteria.
To the ballast tank
The treated ballast water is then distributed to the ballast tanks.
KBAL key points
EASY INSTALLATION
The KBAL system can be supplied in different configurations suitable for most types of vessel, and whenever possible is supplied as a plug and play installation.
EASY OPERATION
The KBAL system is fully automated, intuitive and easy to operate. KBAL is integrated into the vessel systems such that BWTS operations are performed from a single operator station. The instrumentation and monitoring points are simple to understand and clearly displayed for the user without extensive training required.
EASY MAINTENANCE
The KBAL system has few movable parts, implying less wear and tear and a reduced need for maintenance and spare parts on board. KBAL does not require chemicals or active substances of any kind. KBAL is a robust BWTS truly made for the marine environment.
SEAMLESS SUPPORT
Whether it be spare parts, operational assistance or training KBAL is ready to support our customers around the world. The option to get remote access to systems means that support can often be provided in real time from our service team.
Case Studies
KBAL has been installed on multiple vessels operating across the world, both newbuild vessels and retrofit installations.
These case studies describe just some of the many successful installations that have been completed on a variety of types of vessels and with different KBAL installation configurations.
Retrofit Bodil Knutsen
6000m³/h BWTSM/T Bodil Knutsen is the largest of KNOT`s shuttle tankers with a LOA of 285 and DWT of 149999. She was built in 2011 at DSME. During 2nd renewal docking Q1 2021 two 3000m³/h KBAL Ballast water treatment systems were installed, with a combined TRC of 6000m³/h. One Ex proof containerized system was installed on each side of the vessel in conjunction with the existing submerged ballast water pumps. In addition, deck mounted booster pumps and necessary pipe work was installed.
Retrofit Gijon Knutsen
1200 m³/h BWTSGijon Knutsen is a shuttle tanker with DWT of 35168 MT built in 2006. Already in 2011, a prototype KBAL BWTS was installed for KBAL’s IMO type approval testing, this was a containerized system with a capacity of 600m³/h. In 2021 the BWTS was upgraded to KBAL generation 2 which is USGC Type approved. The new system has a TRC of 1200m³/h. The system was successfully upgraded using existing piping, container and pump setup. This reduced the installation time and cost for the USCG retrofit.
New Build Live Knutsen
6000 m³/h BWTSThe KBAL BWTS onboard NB728 “Live Knutsen” was successfully commissioned and approved by Class and Owner in October 2021.
New Build Traiano Knutsen
6000m³/h BWTSTraiano Knutsen is a 180,000 CBM Class LNG Carrier, the vessel has a total ballast water capacity of 67447 m³. Two KBAL3000 systems with a combined TRC of 6000m³/h are installed to meet the tight time restraints of the cargo operations. The KBAL systems are mounted on skids and installed in a dedicated room within the machinery space.
Retrofit Jo Provel
3000m³/h BWTSM/T JO Provel is a product tanker with LOA 228 meter and DWT 75013, built by STX Offshore and Shipbuilding in Korea, delivered 2012. She is owned by Nyhill and Wallem has technical management. During 2nd renewal docking Q3 2022 one KBAL3000 containerized Ballast water management system (BWMS) were installed on deck in conjunction with additional booster pump.
Retrofit Gotland Carolina
1200m³/h BWTSWhen Rederi AB Gotland was in search for Ballastwater Treatment System for their three sister vessels M/T Gotland Carolina, M/T Gotland Sofia, and M/T Gotland Aliya they wanted a system suitable for their vessel operation and global sailing pattern. Typically, the ships call the brackish waters in the Baltic Sea, the icey waters in Quebec or warm waters at Lagos, or even the muddy freshwater in Manaus. And critical importance is to maintain operation without clogged filters.
After a thorough technical due diligence of the system which also included a visit onboard shuttle tanker M/T Ingrid Knutsen when in Nynashamn, Technical Manager Jonas Moberg, concluded that KBAL is indeed the most robust and easy to operate BWMS in the market. As a result, KBAL1200 (1200m3/h) was installed during the 4th renewal docking.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a fundamental prerequisite for everything we do. Purification of ballast water is a necessary requirement to prevent the spread of water-based micro-organisms. Furthermore, through the development of our ballast water treatment system where we use vacuum and ultraviolet irradiation, we have removed the need for chemicals and filters when cleaning ballast water.
The UN’s sustainability goal number 14 is thus central to our operations.
UN’s sustainability goal number 14: Life below water – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Partners
