Biotal AR 3000 BW can be used regularly to prevent or reduce black water scale build-up, as a direct replacement for water soluble sulphamic acid sachets but it does not require environmental labelling. It dissolves more scale than phosphoric acid but it is not classified as corrosive and is also more effective than citric malic or other organic acids at an equivalent in use concentration.
Available in:
2x5 Litre pails
Applications:
Vacuum toilet systems for sewage collection in ships
Black water piping & systems
Inorganic materials such as calcium carbonate or struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) build up as scale in marine black water collection systems, especially those using vacuum to reduce water usage. Biotal AR 3000 BW can be used in place of other acidic products, either regularly for prevention of scale build-up, or for periodic remediation of scale problems.
Strong mineral acids such as hydrochloric are effective at removing scale but are also very corrosive towards metals and require high levels of training, extensive planning and high grade personal protective equipment before use, as it causes severe burns in contact with skin. Thus, solutions of weaker acids such as sulphamic, citric and phosphoric acid are now more routinely used on board operating ships, but these are significantly less effective than hydrochloric acid and in the case of sulphamic acid, a product containing any significant concentration of this material should also be labelled as harmful to the environment according to EU rules
Biotal AR 3000 BW can be used regularly to prevent or reduce black water scale build-up, as a direct replacement for water soluble sulphamic acid sachets but it does not require environmental labelling. It dissolves more scale than phosphoric acid but it is not classified as corrosive and is also more effective than citric malic or other organic acids at an equivalent in use concentration.
A further advantage of Biotal AR 3000 BW is that it contains a powerful degreasing capability within the formulation and can therefore operate in the presence of oil and grease contamination, when other products either struggle to remove scale, or require a separate degreasing step before effective descaling can occur.
Biotal AR 3000 BW is a safer alternative to other acids for periodic use to descale toilet and black water systems.
Biotal AR 3000 BW has been successfully used in a program of periodic descaling on a RO-RO ferry, as an alternative to use of a strong mineral acid in dry dock.The system was treated via the cabin toilets working from the top deck downwards, with each toilet being treated with Biotal AR3000 BW and extra water flushing for seven days on a rolling program, giving results equivalent to a dry dock treatment, but this was carried out whilst the ship was fully operational.
Advantages
More effective than most organic acids (citric, malic) and many mineral acids such as phosphoric acid
Equivalent activity to sulphamic acid powders
Contains a powerful degreasing agent within the formulation and is therefore effective in the presence of oil and grease contamination, when other products fail to work or require a separate degreasing step
Breaks down to natural biomaterials which are totally biodegradable in a sewage treatment plant or in the environment
Is the only effective eco-benign® product in this sector
Although the concentrate product requires corrosive labelling due to effects on metals, particularly aluminium, it is only classified as irritant for effects on skin i.e. the effects are reversible, making it much safer to use than phosphoric acid for example
Not classified as harmful to environment
Can both prevent scale build-up and be used to remove scale
An easy and convenient alternative to sulphamic acid water soluble sachets for simple maintenance of vacuum toilet and sewage collection systems
Can be used to manage scale in black water systems in combination with Biotal MDS 3000
Can also be used for periodic descaling of black water systems, giving results equivalent to dry dock treatment, AND can be carried out when the ship is fully operational
Directions for use
For treatment of scale build-up in vacuum pipe work via the toilet bowl, i.e. as a direct replacement for sulphamic acid in water soluble sachets, dose 100ml of the Biotal AR 3000 BW liquid into the base of each toilet using a suitable bottle top pump dispenser, then immediately flush the toilet to wash the product down into the pipe work.
Do not allow the concentrated product to sit for any length of time on the surface of the toilet bowl.
Further usage
The Biotal AR 3000 BW product has also been successfully used for a program of periodic descaling on a RO-RO ferry with a history of severe scale issues, as an alternative to use of a strong mineral acid in dry dock.
The system was treated via the cabin toilets working from the top deck downwards, with each toilet being treated with Biotal AR 3000 BW and extra water flushing for seven days on a rolling program, giving results equivalent to a dry dock treatment, but this was carried out whilst the ship was fully operational.
Regulatory environment
A revised Annex IV of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships(MARPOL) entered into force on 1 August 2005 and immediately applied to new ships engaged in international voyages of 400 gross tonnage and above or which are certified to carry more than 15 persons. Existing ships were required to comply with the provisions of the revised Annex IV by 27 September 2008. The Annex requires ships to be equipped with either 1) an approved sewage treatment plant or 2) an approved sewage comminuting and disinfecting system or 3) a sewage holding tank. Thus the management of sewage and sewage systems is one of the many challenges on board today’s ships
