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Calcimator

Ballast Water Exchange Calculator

Calculate ballast exchange volume, time, and compliance for BWM Convention requirements.

Inputs

ft³
ft³
ft³/min

Results

Volume to Pump

105,000 ft³

≈ 59 backyard pools

Exchange Time

8.8 hours

Volume to Pump (m³)2,973.3 m³
Exchange Efficiency95%
Ballast Weight1,000 LT
Fill Percentage70%
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the total ballast tank capacity and current ballast volume in cubic feet.
  2. Select the exchange method: sequential (empty then refill) or flow-through (3x volume flush).
  3. Input the pump rate in ft³/min to calculate exchange time in hours.
  4. Review the exchange volume in ft³ and m³ and the estimated exchange efficiency percentage.
  5. Check the ballast weight in long tons for stability and trim planning.

How the result changes with Current Ballast Volume

Current Ballast VolumeVolume to PumpExchange Time
500,0001,500,000 ft³125 hours
1,750,0005,250,000 ft³437.5 hours
3,250,0009,750,000 ft³812.5 hours
4,500,00013,500,000 ft³1,125 hours

What each input means

Total Ballast Capacity
Total ballast tank capacity of the vessel.
Current Ballast Volume
Volume of ballast water currently on board.
Exchange Method
Flow-through requires 3x volume pumped for 95% exchange. Sequential empties then refills each tank.
Pump Rate
Ballast pump flow rate in cubic feet per minute.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Total Ballast Capacity = 50000, Current Ballast Volume = 35000, Exchange Method = 1, Pump Rate = 200 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Volume to Pump
    Volume to Pump
    105000 = 105000
  3. Calculate Exchange Time
    Exchange Time
    8.8 = 8.8
  4. Calculate Volume to Pump
    Volume to Pump
    2973.3 = 2973.3
  5. Calculate Exchange Efficiency
    Exchange Efficiency
    95 = 95

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