GSI
established sophisticated independent third party ballast treatment
evaluation capabilities at three scales-bench, land-based, and
shipboard. Each scale is dedicated to addressing specific evaluation
objectives:
GSI Bench-Scale
Tests
o Range finding for effective doses under a range of ambient conditions;
o Chemical degradation over time under a range of ambient conditions;
o Detection of any residual toxicity under a range of ambient
conditions; and
o Confirmation of treatment process.
GSI
Land-Based Tests
o Detection of scale-up, mechanical operation issues;
o Effectiveness of a dose with respect to the full range of ambient
organisms; and
o Detection of any whole water effluent toxicity.
GSI
Shipboard Tests
o Confirmation of biological and operational performance as expected
in the ship environment; and
o Confirmation of performance as expected under a broad range
of ambient conditions.
Developers
of ballast water treatment systems apply for GSI research services
online,
and awards are offered based on an objective review process, regardless
of the state of development of the proposed treatment. GSI status
testing will be performed at the scale appropriate to the treatment
state of development, with the goal of helping meritorious ballast
treatment systems to progress as rapidly as possible to an approval-ready
and market-ready condition.
To
assure relevancy of test output, GSI test protocols
are as consistent with the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) Convention and federal and state requirements as practicable.
In particular, bench testing directly supports IMO G9 evaluations,
and land-based testing directly supports IMO G8 evaluations.
GSI
tests are third party assessments. They are completely independent
of any vested interest in outcomes. The GSI tests are supported
by general project funds which derive from federal and state agency
grants, Great Lakes port contributions, and in-kind contributions
by the local government and universities. None of these funds
come to the GSI with any strings (other than public disclosure).
© Great Ships Initiative 2010.
