Apparatus and method of ballast water treatment

<img file="NO329571B1_D0001.tif" />

(12) PATENT (19) NO (11) 329571 (13) B1

NORWAY (51) IntCI.

C02F 1/20 (2006.01)

B01D 19/00 (2006.01)

B63B 13/00 (2006.01)

NIPO

<td> (21)</td><td>Appln</td>

<td> (22)</td><td>Inng.dag</td>

<td> (24)</td><td>Løpedag</td>

<td> (41)</td><td>Alm.tilgj</td>

<td> (45)</td><td>communicated</td>

<td> (73)</td><td>proprietor</td>

<td> (72)</td><td>Inventor</td>

<td> (74)</td><td>Fullmektig</td>

<td> (54)</td><td>Designation</td>

<td> (56)</td><td>Cited publications</td>

<td> (57)</td><td>Summary</td>

<td> 20044942</td><td> (86)</td><td>Lent entry date and application no</td><td>2003.04.15 PCT / US2003 / 11558</td>

<td> 2004.11.12</td><td> (85)</td><td>Videreføringsdag</td><td> 2004.11.12</td>

<td> 2003.04.15</td><td> (30)</td><td>Priority</td><td>2002.05.02, US, 136627 2002.06.07, US, 164344</td>

<td> 2004.11.12 2010.11.15</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

Peter Drummond McNulty, 900 South Serrano Avenue, US-CA90006 LOS ANGELES, USA Peter Drummond McNulty, 900 South Serrano Avenue, US-CA90006 LOS ANGELES, USA Onsagers AS, PO Box 6963 St Olavs Plass, 0130 OSLO, Norway

Method and system for treating a vessel's ballast water

US 6193893 B1, US 4259360 A1, WO 0136339 A1

The present invention will generally provide a system and method that allows a vessel to treat water while providing corrosion inhibition. An oxygen stripper gas delivers oxygen stripper gas which can be pumped directly to preferably but optionally a venturi injector, or which can first be pumped into an empty tank and then delivered to the injector device. Water pumped through the injection pump via a transfer pipeline, in contact with the oxygen stripping gas, and dissolved oxygen in the water will be transferred to microfine stripping gas bubbles generated by the injection pump. The water and microfine bubbles are pumped from the injection pump into the tank where the microfine bubbles flow to the surface, and the oxygen is released into the tank's head space. The oxygenated water can then be recycled through the system for further deoxygenation or delivered from the tank into the surrounding waterways.

Field of the invention

A system and method of treating water using a venturi injector or injection device facilitates removal of dissolved oxygen from water, thereby reducing the population of undesirable aquatic organisms present in the water while inhibiting corrosion. The water treatment system and method have particular application for use in connection with a vessel by allowing the vessel to treat ballast water transported from one port area to another, thereby limiting the environmental damage effects while inhibiting corrosion. The water treatment system and method may have other applications such as in oil production.

For example, before a ship leaves the port and is empty or partially loaded, it enters water in ballast tanks to maintain stability and to adjust flowability. Virtually in all cases, this ballast water will include living organisms that are affected by the level of oxygen dissolved in the water. When the ship reaches its destination and is prepared to load the cargo, it will discharge the ballast water, thus introducing potentially invasive species into the aquatic environment of the port of destination. About 40000 large cargo ships carry billions of tons of ballast water around the world each year and are thus probably responsible for introducing hundreds of marine invasive species into non-natural areas. The total cost of these invasions is undetermined, but several estimates put it in the billions of dollars.

To address this problem, several national and state governments in the United States have passed regulations governing the handling of vessel ballast water. The International Maritime Organization has proposed guidelines that recommend ballast water treatment. The US Coast Guard is now developing guidelines for potential future ballast water treatment requirements for vessels entering ports in the United States.

The vast majority of the world's shipping fleet, extensive marine and also merchant vessels are built of steel. Steel will corrode when exposed to oxygen and water. Corroded steel structures in a vessel will reduce seaworthiness and comprehensive measures have been taken to prevent this and to repair it. Estimates of the cost of protecting and repairing corrosion on vessels amount to billions of dollars each year worldwide.

One area in a ship where corrosion is particularly important is in the ballast water tanks. For example, the largest oil tankers can hold up to 15 million gallons (330396 liters, 57000 tons) with ballast water capacity. Extensive exposure of the ballast tank structure to water (which is often salt water) provides a condition that will lead to rapid corrosion. At the time of writing, the cost of painting ballast tanks was typically $ 5-10 a year. square foot ($ 48-96 per square foot) square footage) while other estimates suggest that the cost of repairing corroded areas is about $ 500 per square foot. square foot ($ 4805 per square foot).

Thus, it is desirable for systems that treat water to eliminate aquatic organisms while providing corrosion inhibition in a time and cost saving manner. One way of eliminating aquatic organisms in the ballast water is by removing oxygen in the water when the water is removed from the surrounding waterways. The concentration of a dissolved gas in solution is directly proportional to the partial pressure in the gas above the solution. (This physical phenomenon is governed by Henry's Law, and the dissolved concentration can be calculated using Henry's Law constant for the dissolved). Thus, when exposed to a stripping gas (such as nitrogen or other low-oxygen gas mixture), oxygen will readily diffuse out of water, comprising between 6-10 parts per liter. million (0.001%) of dissolved oxygen, in an attempt to return to the mixture in air, which is about 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The use of nitrogen gas to remove the dissolved oxygen present in ballast water has been documented as providing an efficient and economically desirable way to treat ballast water while also providing corrosion inhibition effects. See MARIO N. TAMBURRI, among others: Ballast water deoxygenation can prevent aquatic introductions while reducing ship corrosion. Biologist. Conserv. (2002) 103: 331-341. Henry's Law's constants for several potential propellant gases and mixtures thereof show that several different gases can be used to flow oxygen from water.

On board a vessel, an effective way of exposing the dissolved oxygen in water to a stripper is to generate microfine bubbles of gas in the water. Microfine stripping gas bubbles formed in water have the ability to transfer dissolved oxygen from the water as the microfine bubbles flow from the bottom to the top of a tank. A commonly recognized as effective, safe, and reliable way to generate microfine bubbles is with the use of a venturi injection device or injector.

Description of the Prior Art

Treatment of water, and more specifically, treatment of ballast water, apparatus and methods is desirable to allow vessels to treat water transported from one port area to another. Such treatment will limit the environmental damage effects that can result when the water is subsequently released in an environment that is ecologically different from where the water was originally taken from.

The use of apparatus and methods for treating water is known in the prior art. Eg. discloses US Patent 6,171,508, Browning, a method and apparatus for killing microorganisms in ship ballast water. However, the Browning '508 patent does not use stripping gas to remove oxygen from the ballast water and thus does not describe corrosion inhibition properties, and it has further disadvantages of using a less efficient vacuum mechanism to remove the dissolved oxygen from the ballast water.

U.S. Patent No. 6,125,778, Rodden, describes the treatment of ballast water which processes ballast water using ozone. However, Rodden '778 does not provide a corrosion solution and does not use the more efficient venturi injector to treat the ballast water.

Similarly, US Patent No. 5,192,451, Gill, discloses a method of controlling zebra mussels in ship ballast tanks that treat ballast water with a water-soluble dialkyldiallyl quaternary ammonium polymer. However, the Gill '451 patent does not allow water treatment without a chemical reaction and does not provide corrosion inhibiting properties.

In addition, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,376,282 and 5,578,116 to Chang both disclose the use of vacuum and agitation to remove dissolved oxygen from water to prevent zebra mussel survival. However, neither the '282 nor the' 116 patent provides a more efficient, lighter fuel gas lighter by means of a venturi injector to remove oxygen from the ballast water and they have the additional disadvantages of not providing corrosion inhibition effects during removal of dissolved oxygen from the water.

U.S. Patent No. 6,126,842, Decker, discloses a process for treating low-concentration ozone waste water that injects a low-ozone gas mixture of oxygen into a waste water stream while mixing to provide a reduction in waste water contaminants. However, the Decker '842 patent does not, although it provides an efficient ozone-based treatment system using a venturi injector, treat ballast water in a vessel, nor does the' 842 patent offer the even greater benefits of using an oxygen stripping gas such as increased efficiency and corrosion inhibition.

US Patent No. 6,274,052 to Hartwig discloses ozonification of pool water using a series of venturi injectors for delivering ozone. However, the Hartwig '052 patent does not disclose the injection of an oxygen stripping gas into the water through venturi injectors to remove oxygen from the water, and it has the additional disadvantage of not providing corrosion inhibition effects during the process described.

U.S. Patent No. 4,246,111 to Savard discloses an apparatus provided for biologically treating waste water and coping with the biologically treated water. However, the Savard III patent does not use an oxygen stripper gas to remove oxygen from the water, preferably optional ballast water, nor does it provide additional corrosion inhibition.

Finally, U.S. Patent No. 3,676,983 to Nold discloses an apparatus and method for removing gas from a liquid using a vacuum chamber and agitation. However, Nolds' 983 patent requires cavitation of the liquid and it does not use a venturi injector to more effectively improve gas removal from the liquid.

While the above inventions will fulfill their particular objects and requirements, the above patents do not disclose a system and method for treating water that allows a vessel to process ballast water transported from one port area to another while providing corrosion inhibition.

The aforementioned patents and other systems and methods of treating water known in the art will not provide treatment of water by using injector or injection devices to facilitate stripping gas deoxygenation, while also providing corrosion inhibition.

In relation to the foregoing drawbacks inherent in the known types of systems and methods of treating water presently known in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved system and method for treating ballast water using an oxygen stripping gas which is injected through a venturi injector device to facilitate deoxygenation of the water, overcoming the drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art. Thus, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, is to provide a new and improved water treatment system and method having all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above and many new features resulting in a system and method for treating water that is not known before, which is also not obvious, proposed, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combinations thereof.

To achieve this, the present invention includes a system for treating water with a container and a venturi injector device having an inlet aperture adapted to receive water, an injection aperture adapted to receive oxygen stripping gas, and an outlet aperture which is adapted to expel water. Water enters the entrance orifice and passes through the injector device where the water comes into contact with the stripping gas received through the injection opening in the venturi injector device. Water will then be discharged from the outlet opening to the ballast tank. The propellant gas received by the venturi injector device comes from a gas generation source. The gas may be delivered to the injector device by a first gas delivery device connecting the gas source to the ballast tank and a second gas delivery device connecting the ballast tank to the injection port of the venturi injector device. In combination with the first and second gas delivery devices, or as an alternative, there may be a third gas delivery device which connects the gas source to the injection port in the venturi injector device and thus delivers the propellant gas directly from the source to the injection port. Preferably but optionally, the venturi injector device is connected in series with a transfer tube device such that the inlet port receives said water passing through the transfer tube device and the outlet port drives the water back to the transfer tube device which can be connected to the ballast tank. In addition, an amplifier blower and / or a regulator, which is optional but preferably a power valve, may be fixed in series with the second stripping gas delivery device between the ballast tank and the venturi injector device to control the flow of stripping gas into the venturi injector device. A ballast pump is adapted to receive water from an external water source and can pump water through the venturi injector device.

The system may also comprise a recirculation device which takes water into the ballast tank and recirculates the water from the ballast tank via a recirculation tube device and pumps the water again through the venturi injector device back into the ballast tank. This recirculation device, optionally but preferably, is monitored by sensors which can be activated by a control panel device, the sensors being preferably but optional gas, oxygen and dissolved oxygen sensors which monitor the oxygen level present in the treated water. The invention may also have reoxygenation devices and steps prior to release of the deoxygenated water. This reoxygenation serves to reduce negative environmental effects that can occur when delivering large amounts of deoxygenated water in surrounding waterways. Thus, of course, there are further features of the invention which will be described hereinafter and which will form the basis of the appended claims.

Many objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of preferred, but illustrative, embodiments of the present invention together with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the assemblies of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may have other embodiments and it may be practiced in many different ways, as specified in the appended claims. It should also be understood that the sentences and terms used herein are intended to describe it and should not be construed as limiting.

Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the idea on which the present disclosure is based may be used as a basis for providing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present invention. Thus, it is important that the claims be considered to include such equivalent structures as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the present invention.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for treating water having the advantages of the prior art apparatus and methods for treating water plus additional benefits and benefits.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new system and method for treating water which provides, in the systems and processes of the prior art, some of these advantages, but at the same time some of the disadvantages usually associated with these .

Yet another object of the present invention is a system which allows the use of oxygen stripping gas and thus provides more efficient stripping gas delivery than other traditional estimates or bubble scattering gas delivery methods. This allows an economically advantageous and efficient way to limit the environmental damage effects that can result when untreated water 10 is released freely in an environment that is ecologically different from where the water was collected.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for treating water which allows a vessel to treat water with oxygen stripping gas which is injected into a stream of water by means of a venturi injector. This enables ballast water to be treated effectively while providing corrosion inhibition, thus reducing the overall maintenance and costs associated with treating water.

Further, the present invention also provides a system and method for treating water using stripping gas-assisted deoxygenation in which oxygen is driven from the water. This oxygen stripping system 20 and method allows treatment of water with increased efficiency and without the use of chemicals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for treating water which can be readily obtained and marketed.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for treating water which has a relatively low cost of manufacture in relation to both materials and labor, and which, according to this, is capable of relatively low sales prices for consumer audiences and industries.

The present invention thus relates to a system (10) for treating a vessel's ballast water which is characterized in that the system comprises:

a ballast water pump (14);

a venturi injector device (16, 46) having an inlet port (48) adapted to receive water, an injection port (50) adapted to receive stripping gas and an outlet port (54) adapted to discharge said water;

an oxygen stripping gas source (18), and a container (24) which is a ballast water tank having a top portion, the system further comprising a pressure relief valve (34) positioned on the top portion of the ballast water tank (24) whereby, during use, the water passes through said injector means (16,46) thereby contacting said stripping gas received through the injection port (50) and said water being discharged from said outlet port (54) to said container.

In addition, the invention relates to a method for treating a vessel's ballast water using the system of the invention, the method being characterized by comprising the following steps:

delivering into said entrance opening (48) said water to be treated;

supplying oxygen stripping gas to the injection port (50), thereby delivering to said water a myriad of microbial bubbles wherein oxygen in said water diffuses from an aqueous phase to a gas phase within the microfine bubbles, discharging the water and the microfine bubbles from said outlet (54) ) to a ballast water tank (24), wherein said microbial bubbles are released from the water, thereby diffusing said oxygen from the water.

Thus, a broad draft of the most important features of the invention has been provided so that the detailed description of the following may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated, in accordance with the appended claims.

For a better understanding of the invention, the operating advantages and the specific objects achieved with the application, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and description which illustrate relevant embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be better understood and purposes different from those set forth above will come to light when considering the following detailed description thereof. Such a description refers to the enclosed drawings where:

Fig. 1 is a process flow diagram of the actual embodiment of the system and the method of treating water built according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the system and method of treating water according to the present invention located in a vessel.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the vessel of the present invention system and method of treating water included therein.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the system and method of treating water according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a venturi injector, which is a component of the system and method of treating water according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a closed recycling system according to the invention present in a holder.

The same reference numbers refer to the same parts in the different figures.

Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1-5, they show a current embodiment of the system and method of treating water according to the present invention and with reference numeral 10.

In FIG. Figure 1 shows a basic flow chart for a new and improved water treatment system using stripping gas deoxygenation 10, which allows a vessel to treat water transported from one port area to another while providing corrosion inhibition. This is illustrated and will be described. More specifically, the system for treating water using stripping gas deoxygenation 10 comprises a water intake device 12. Through this, water will enter from the outside of a vessel. The water will then be pumped through a pumping device such as, but not limited to, a ballast pump 14 for an inlet opening or an injector device 16 such as a venturi injector. Oxygen stripping gas obtained from stripping gas source 18 is supplied to the inlet port of injector device 16 and this is facilitated by an amplifier fan 20, and can be further controlled by a regulator 22, which is preferably but optionally a request valve. Further, propellant gas can be pumped from the propellant gas source 18 into a container 24 which is preferably but optionally a vessel's ballast tank. The propellant gas delivered to the injector device 16 comes into contact with the water within the injector device 16, and the mixture with oxygen propellant gas and water is pumped from the injector device 16 to the container 24, or to a vessel's ballast tank. When the mixture is inside the container 24, dissolved oxygen from the water and the propellant gas which have combined within the microfine bubbles generated by the injector device 16 will flow to the head space 26 in the container 24. A series of sensors, which are preferably but optional gas oxygen sensors 28, dissolved oxygen sensors 30, may be present in the container 24 to monitor the amount of dissolved oxygen still in the water. There may also be a control panel device 32 present to provide further control and control of the system's sensors as a whole. A pressure valve and / or a series of pressure valves 34, typically located on the top portion of the container 24, will passively release gas to control the pressure within the container. Optionally, a portion of the water in the container 24 may be recycled to a recycling entry point 36 and re-pumped through the ballast pump 14, the injector device 16, and back to the container 24 preferably but optionally fixed by and / or controlled by the series of sensors which in turn may be controlled by the control panel device 32.

Fig. 2 shows the system for treating water, since the invention could be placed in a vessel, ship or seafaring liner. As shown, water, preferably but optional ballast water, will be brought on board the vessel by a water intake device 12, which is generally located at the transom of the vessel. The water is then pumped through a pumping device, such as a ballast pump 14 to an injector device 16, such as the device 16, such as a venturi injector. Oxygen stripping gas supplied from a stripping gas source 18 can then be pumped through an amplifier fan 20 and into the injector assembly 16. The stripping fan 20 may also serve to control the amount of stripping gas taken into the water to keep up with the stripping gas stripping water. container 24. Exhaust gas is also pumped from the exhaust gas source 18 into the container 24 or into the ballast tank to provide additional corrosion inhibition in the empty container 24. The exhaust gas supplied to the injector device 16 contacts the water within the injector device 16 and the mixture of these two is pumped to the injector device 16. the vessel's container 24 which is optional but preferably a ballast tank. Once inside the container 24, the dissolved oxygen from the water and the propellant gas combined within microfine bubbles generated by the injector device 16 will flow to the head space, or to another area above the water, in the container 24. A series of pressure valves 34 preferably but optionally located on the the top of the container 24, and extending through to the vessel's deck, controls the level of pressure into the container 24 at all times.

Fig. 3 shows the vessel from above to show the location or location of the water treatment system when in a vessel. As shown, the system for treating water 10 will preferably be placed but optionally at or near the transom of the vessel and pump the water into containers, which are preferably ballast tanks 24 located in the vessel.

In FIG. 4, the invention is shown so that water from surrounding waterways enters a vessel through transfer pipe means 38. The water is then pumped through a pumping device, such as a ballast pump 14 to an inlet opening or an injector device 16, optionally but preferably a venturi injector coupled in a series of transfer tube means 38 which may, preferably but optionally, incorporate a network of coil nozzles for delivery to the container.

Oxygen stripping gas, preferably but optionally comprising at least 90% nitrogen, obtained from a gas source 18 is delivered via a first stripping gas delivery device 40 to the empty container 24 which is preferably but optionally a ballast tank. This stripping gas is then delivered to the inlet opening of the injector device 16 from container 24 of another stripping gas delivery device 42. The delivery of the propellant gas to the injector device 16 can be facilitated by an amplifier fan 20 which can also act to increase the amount of the propellant gas introduced into the water to accommodate the evaporation of the propellant gas by the water within the container 24 which may be but is not limited to a ballast tank, water body, or a water line. The propellant gas supplied to the injector device 16 contacts the water within the injector device 16, and the mixture with the propellant gas and water is pumped from the injector device through transfer piping 38 to the container 24. The space between the container (s) 24 represents what is preferred but is not limited to the load holding area 44 usually configured in this way on the vessel. A series of sensors, preferably gas oxygen sensors 28 and solvent oxygen sensors 30, may be present in the receptacles 24 to monitor the amount of dissolved oxygen supplied and remaining in the water, and if desired, a control panel device may also be present to activate and control the system.

In FIG. 5, a venturi injector 46 attached in series with the transfer tube device is shown

36.1 in this case, the venturi injector is a model 12050-SS Mazzei injection pump manufactured by Mazzei Injector Corporation in Baksersfield, California. The structure and operation of this Mazzei injection pump is illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,863,128, issued January 26, 1999, to Angelo L. Mazzei. The water from the pump device enters the inlet port 48 of the venturi injector 46. Oxygen stripping gas is supplied to venturi injector 46 through the injection port 50 and the water and stripping gas come into contact in the constriction portion 52 of the venturi injector 46. The water and stripping gas are then pumped from the stripping portion 52, and the dissolved oxygen stripped off is present. passed through the outlet port 54 of the injection pump 46 into microfuge bubbles 56 generated by pumping stripping gas and water through venturi injector 46. The microphobic bubbles 56 and the now partially deoxygenated water travel from the exit port or aperture 54 to the transfer pipeline 38 which finally carries the deoxygenated water and the microphobic bubbles to a container where further deoxygenation may occur.

Fig. 6 shows a closed recycling system in a container. Untreated or untreated water enters a container 24, which is optionally but preferably a sealable tank, through a transfer tube assembly 38. When inside the container 24, a pumping device 14 will be present to pump the water through additional transfer lines 38. The water will then enter an entrance opening 48 of an injector device 16, which is optional but preferably a venturi injector. Within a constriction portion 52 of the injector device 16, where the water contacts the oxygen stripping gas received by the injection port 50 of the injector device 16. A stripping gas source 18, which is optionally but preferably located outside and adjacent the container 24, generates the stripping gas supply to the stripping gas which is the delivery gas to the delivery gas. 50. A large portion of the dissolved oxygen present in the water and the propellant gas is then passed from the constrictor portion 52 through the outlet port 44 to the injector device 16 in microbial bubbles generated by pumping the propellant gas and water through the injector device 16. Transfer tubes 38 connected to the output port 54 transfer the microbial bubbles and the now partially deoxygenated water from the injector device through a flush nozzle 58 into the container 24, where the microphobic bubbles travel to a head space 26 within the container, thereby releasing oxygen from the water. A pressure valve 34, or a series of pressure valves, may be present on the upper portion of the container 24 to prevent the build-up of pressure within the container 24. The water within the container 24 may be continuously recycled, and a series of sensors and / or control panel devices may be present to monitor dissolved oxygen and stripping gas levels to determine the rate of recycling and / or the rate at which the treated water is driven out of the container. 24, optionally with preferably, through additional transmission lines.

Treatment of water described herein will preferably but not exclusively occur so that the vessel pumps water onto the vessel through an injector device which is preferably but not limited to a venturi injector and the water comes into contact with a propellant gas introduced into the injector device. In general, the pumping device, which may be one of a series of pumps, will draw water from waterways located around the vessel in the transfer piping device. The oxygen stripping gas source on the vessel may be a standard source or method known in the art, such as a permeable membrane nitrogen generator, vessel flue gas, inert gas generator, or others. Control of the propellant gas delivery may be through an amplifier fan and / or a regulator connected in series with the propellant gas delivery device coupled to the injector device. The flue gas source is connected to both a container or optional container, which is preferably but optional ballast tanker, and the injector device by the flue gas delivery devices. Flue gas can be delivered to and filled the container, with a flue gas delivery device. Other propellant gas delivery devices allow the propellant gas to flow through the injector device. This stripping gas delivery device may be connected to and supply stripping gas from the container or it may be coupled to deliver stripping gas directly from the stripping gas source. When propellant gas is delivered to the injector device, which is preferably a venturi injector, the water pumped through the injector device contacts the propellant gas and dissolved oxygen present in the water is transferred from the water to the microbial bubbles generated by the injection pump device. These microbial glass bubbles comprise a mixture of stripping gas and oxygen which, together with the water, is pumped from the injector device into the container. When the water is pumped into the container, the propellant gas that may be present in the container is preferably, but not excluded, exchanged at a 1: 1 volume ratio. This stripping gas may be redirected to the injector device to provide greater efficiency in using the stripping gas.

Once inside the container, the microbial bubbles will flow to the surface of the water in the container where the propellant gas oxygen mixture is released within the container's head space or area above the water. The invention may also comprise a stripping gas delivery device which supplies stripping gas to the empty container to prevent reintroduction of oxygen to the deoxygenated water as the treated water enters the container. The generally preferred but optional effect of this oxygen deprivation is to prevent the survival of aquatic organisms, such as but not limited to those usually present in ballast water, while also or alternatively providing corrosion inhibition.

The start and end of the water treatment will coincide with the vessel's water intake. A recycling mechanism may be used to further treat the water and the need for such may be determined by reciprocal sensors, including but not limited to gas, oxygen and dissolution oxygen sensors, present in containers that record the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water for optional verification of disinfection. If a recirculation mechanism is to be activated, the stop operation, preferably but optional, may be indicated by a control panel device connected to the sensors and valves.

In use, one will now understand the system and method of treating water which can be used for a non-chemical, effective treatment of water while serving as a corrosion inhibitor.

While a current embodiment of the system and method of treating water has been described in detail, it should be clear that alterations and variations thereof are possible where these will fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In connection with the foregoing description, it will be understood that the optimum dimensional conditions for this invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, shape, function and mode of operation, assembly and application, will readily come to light and be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and all equivalent ratios to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be affected by the present invention. Eg. any suitable cylindrical conduit made of a wide variety of metals, plastics, or other robust material can be used for the described transfer tube assembly and / or recycling conduit assembly. And while treatment of water using stripping gas induced deoxygenation with both water disinfection and corrosion inhibition properties, preferably but optionally on vessels, has been described, it will be understood that the system and method of treating water described herein may also be suitable for a wide majority of water treatment applications. comprehensive but not limited to waste water management, agricultural applications, pool and spa applications, oil and gas applications, and several disinfection applications. In addition, a wide majority or variety of holders or tanks of different shapes and sizes, and also an open water body, may also be used instead of the basic container or ballast tank described. Further, the method, configuration, size, shape and pressure and volume requirements can be adapted to arrive at a wide majority of vessels of different shapes and sizes, and a closed recirculation system and method as described can be transferred from one container to another. The invention may also be adapted for use with a wide plurality of pumps, containers, propellant gas generators or sources, pressure valves and other components necessary for the invention but already present in a vessel or other processing site.

Thus, the present is considered merely illustrative of the principles of this invention. Further, since more modifications and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not desirable to limit the invention to the precise construction and operation shown and described, and according to this, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be used, and particularly within the scope of the invention, in accordance with the appended claims.