At MH Systems, we have developed a ballast water purification system that prevents worldwide ecological and economical damage to the waters of ports, harbors and inland waterways. In addition, our state-of-the-art system extends the life of ships with its anti-corrosive components. Our technology provides a one-two punch in the face of a growing marine problem.

When large ships off-load their cargo, they flood their ballast tanks with seawater for stability on the return trip.  At the next port, the ballast water from the previous port is pumped into to the harbor in order to take on more cargo.

The problem with this is that, along with the seawater, a variety of invasive species of plants, animals and bacteria are also taken in to the ship’s ballast tanks. These organisms ride and survive in the tank until they are pumped out with the seawater at the next port when the ship takes on more cargo, introducing non-native species including unwanted organisms like E. coli, Vibrio and pipe-blocking zebra mussels in harbors around the world.

The problem has gotten so serious that the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization of the U.N. now require most ballasting ships to be installed with a ballast water treatment (BWT) system to kill the harmful organisms and prevent their spread. This newly mandated market includes 40,000 ships worldwide and $35 billion in clean technology over the next ten years.

Many companies have created BWT systems, but their focus on ultraviolet and chemical components are not faring well in passing the Coast Guard’s required tests. As of June 14, 2014 not a single BWT system has passed tests at any of the Coast Guard-approved test facilities.

At MH Systems, we have developed one of the very few BWT systems that effectively kills nuisance species in ballast tanks of ships before they are pumped overboard.

We have developed an association with the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography of UC-San Diego to create our system. Our BWT system is the only in-tank processing system that can treat huge quantities of water on large tankers, as opposed to the competitors’ more centralized systems that are not suitable for high volume ballast water treatment. And because all other systems so far have failed the tests at the Coast Guard’s designated test facility, we know that once our certification tests are complete, we will be in a commanding position to lead the market.

In addition to our BWT system, our InertBallast technology includes a crucial “extra” for ships. During the cargo leg portion of ocean-going ships, empty ballast tanks are filled with air that results in extensive corrosion of the inner walls of the ballast tank. Tankers used to last about 25 years. Now, their life expectancy is 7-8 years lower because of this corrosion in their ballast tanks. In addition to water treatment, our system has been designed to prevent corrosion in ballast tanks by using inert gases to fill tanks instead of using air. With this added feature, our BWT system provides vital protection and treatment on all legs of a ship’s voyage.

Our BWT system thrives in its simplicity. The InertBallast patented method is essentially similar to waste water treatment technology. An inert gas, high in nitrogen and low in oxygen with elevated CO2, is bubbled through the ballast tanks creating a seawater environment that is unable to support life. The system is made up of a standard inert gas generator, a compressor to send the gas to the tank, piping, a nozzle arrangement in existing ballast tanks, sensors and a system control processor.

All the components of the InertBallast system are off the shelf. The diffusers are the same ones used to diffuse air in waste water treatment. The inert gas generators, which are the most expensive part of our system, are standard marine hardware and are already installed in most oil tankers. The ease of access to our system’s parts makes InertBallast the most economical solution in BWT systems. Oil tankers, more specifically, are primed with the most expensive part required by our system and so will be our primary focus starting out.

Our association with the famed Scripps Institute of Oceanography of the University of California – San Diego has positioned us to be one of the most credible BWT systems entering the market. Professors from the university played vital roles in the research and development of the InertBallast system. Our technology is now fully developed and has been successfully tested at Scripps. In addition, we have been granted patent protection in the U.S. for the use of our CO² conjunction with de-oxygenation for ballast water treatment. Our anti-corrosion component is also patent pending.

The MHS patent is under re-examination challenge, and in the appeal stage; MHS expects to prevail.

Yet to be conducted are protocol type tests required for certification, which includes land-based and shipboard testing. We have planned these tests to occur on board Golden Bear, a vessel operated by the California Maritime Academy (CMA). The CMA facility is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for testing BWT systems. Upon funding, we can complete the required certification tests in less than 12 months and submit them for approvals.

Mo Husain, CEO. A graduate Naval Architect of the University of Michigan, Mo has 40 years of experience in the development of maritime technologies. His passion is rooted in the protection of marine environment. He has been the CEO of MH Systems for 20 years. Mo is the developer of the patented technology of the ballast water treatment system and devotes 100% of his time to the affairs of the company.

Robert E. Apple, Senior VP. Robert is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate. He has a MSME degree and 40 years of experience in the leading of research, design, and management of maritime projects. Previously, he was CEO of two shipyards and CEO of the largest Maritime Maintenance Engineering firm with worldwide operation. Currently, he is the program director at MH Systems, where he establishes business and marketing policies.

Gary Shilling, VP. Gary’s previous employment includes founding Ganeden Biotech, Inc., a probiotic company based on independent research, and BioInformational Technical Solutions, Inc., a company focused on computer issues associated with DNA research. As VP of MH Systems, Gary heads the company’s technology development.

John Dmohowski, Advisor. John is a serial entrepreneur with experience with starting, raising funding and leading organizations from concept through liquidity events in a variety of tech-based businesses. He has entrepreneurial involvements with companies such as Alert Studio, Rockfire Interactive and Visual Radio, to name a few. At MH Systems, John is a senior member on the Board of Executives and is a candidate for becoming the COO.

Charles Quimbach, Chief Scientist. Charles has a BS from the California Institute of Technology and an MS from UCLA. He heads scientific efforts at MH Systems.