BallastWISE Filtration Unit
The BallastWISE Filtration Unit is an easy-to-use instrument for concentrating large volumes of ballast water to a feasible sample size for compliance testing of organisms ≥50 μm.
Filtering ballast water is made easier with the BallastWISE Filtration Unit
Our customers, users of the BallastWISE test instument, reported challenges using the traditional method of plankton nets for filtering ballast water before compliance tests. Traditional plankton nets have to be monitored closely throughout the filtration process to avoid overflow and loss of the collected sample volume. Therefore, in 2021, MicroWISE developed a filter unit that is easier to use, and automatically samples and concentrates the required sample volume with minimal stress on organisms during collection. The result was an automatic and accurate sampling system for organisms of ≥50 μm.
A large volume of ballast water must be sampled
To test for compliance with the IMO D-2 standards for vessel discharge of organisms ≥50 μm, you must identify the number of viable organisms within a cubic metre of ballast water – as this ensures safe vessel discharge to prevent the spread of invasive species. This is a large volume of water to process, even for a time-efficient CMD (compliance monitoring device) like BallastWISE.
Traditional plankton nets
Microwise Filtration Unit
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Requires a skilled operator
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Requires constant attention
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Difficult to set-up and operate
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Does not require a skilled operator
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Can be left unattended
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Easy to connect directly to the sampling port
Traditional plankton nets
- Requires a skilled operator
- Requires constant attention
- Difficult to set-up and operate
BallastWISE Filtration Unit
- Does not require a skilled operator
- Can be left unattended as the required volume is filtered automatically
- Easy to connect directly to the sampling port