Howell Laboratories' on-site MIOX disinfection technology improves performance, reduces operating costs and protects the environment better than any other approach.
Shipboard disinfection always challenges even the most safety-focused programmes and budgets. How can you replace costly chemicals that are dangerous to handle, difficult to procure and bulky to store with a hazard-free system that works better and costs less to operate?
Howell Laboratories, with its partner MIOX, offers a technological approach that disinfects billions of gallons of drinking and recreational water, daily, for maritime, municipal and commercial industries worldwide. These systems have capabilities, benefits and features unrivalled in the industry.
At the heart of the system is a highly developed, patented electrolytic cell requiring only water, electricity and salt to generate all the disinfection chemicals required. It is capable of producing unique mixed-oxidant solution (MOS) chemistry - a highly effective, yet environmentally benign, disinfectant. The presence of a second oxidant in the solution, which coexists for 24-48 hours after generation, provides dramatically increased efficacy, but the MOS can be monitored and controlled with the same ease as older, chlorine-based systems.
MOS has a broad range of applications, including:
Biofilm is an invasive substance that naturally forms throughout water distribution lines. Biofilm shelters disease-causing microorganisms, shielding them from chlorine disinfection. Furthermore, it exerts an oxidant demand, consuming disinfectant and requiring higher doses for even basic biological control.
Obviously, controlling biofilm is critical to any effective recreational or drinking water disinfection programme, but biofilm is resistant to chlorine, and is difficult to remove once initial adhesion occurs.
Fortunately, MOS chemistry controls biofilm better than other existing chemistries. This effectiveness has been extensively tested, and is attributed to the presence of hydrogen peroxide in the MIOX system. It is this combination of oxidants that makes the system excel.
MIOX chemistry disinfects more powerfully than hypochlorite alone. This proven advantage is derived from reactive oxidant species in solution with hypochlorite, which coexists with hydrogen peroxide for 24-48 hours after generation. In recent tests, after only a ten-minute exposure to the MIOX solution, all traces of the legionalla bacterium had vanished.
On-site generation replaces traditional chemistries that are inherently dangerous to handle. Howell/MIOX systems use no hazardous chemicals in the disinfection of chemicals. At a generated concentration of 0.45%, there is no need for hazmat planning and reporting, as the solution is safe to handle.
By analysing typical industry costs, on-site generation can immediately reduce the cost of your disinfectant by 75% when compared to current chlorine container systems.
The modular design of the company's system components allows optimal placement for maintenance, expansion and even replacement of legacy systems. Furthermore, Howell has a proven maritime record, supplying MIOX-based potable water systems on all the largest US Navy ships, for over a decade. Howell truly understands the environmental, safety and reliability demands placed upon shipboard equipment.
The risks of using ineffective water treatment are real. Howell/MIOX on-site generation of disinfectant replaces the need to purchase, transport and store dangerous chemicals, and provides a safer, more cost-effective and environmentally responsible system, reducing the risk of quarantine and driving higher brand value.