Non-Toxic Exotic Species/Organic Compound Waterway Contamination Control

Eltron Research, Inc.'s program is directed towards the development and evaluation of an electrolytic technology for the onsite physiochemical treatment of vessel ballast and bilge water to control the waterway spread of biological infestations and chemical contamination. The technology relies on a split electrolytic cell that allows for the onsite electrolytic production of an environmentally gentle, noncorrosive sterilization/ purification solution containing hydrogen peroxide with consumables being restricted, in principal, to electricity, dissolved oxygen (derived from air sparging), and water. The resulting system will consist of an electrolytic cell employing a polymer electrolyte, a cathode electrocatalyst, and a platinum-coated anode employed in a split-electrolyte configuration. The resulting electrolyte on the cathode half of the cell that is generated during operation provides the treatment solution for the safe and cost-effective automated sterilization/purification of ballast/bilge water, while the anodic process allows neutralization of the treated ballast prior to discharge. The prototype system to be constructed and evaluated during the course of this program will be directed towards demonstrating the technology efficacy on small-sized vessels as a preliminary step to full-scale development.