The BEAM (Ballast Exchange Assurance Meter) is designed to determine the amount of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in ballast water by means of measuring fluorescence in two-channels.

Key features of the BEAM include:

• It provides an indication whether open ocean exchange occurred
• The method of sampling is easy and convenient
• The approach is cost effective and viable on a global scale

The BEAM recently underwent verification under the EPA/ETV program. The ETV test considered a variety of scientific performance criteria, as well as operational factors such as ease of use and maintenance. For more information visit the EPA/ETV site.

Sixteen (16) BEAM units have already been delivered to the US Coast Guard.

Description of the system
The BEAM’s user interface consists of four simple buttons and results are displayed on the BEAM’s backlit LCD display. An estimate of DOM content is based on fluorescence intensities from a ballast water sample placed in a sample well securely mounted within the BEAM. All readings are also stored to internal memory for subsequent downloading to a computer. The unit is battery powered with battery life lasting hundreds of measurements.

A ballast water measurement consists of loading a 10mL syringe with the sample and dispensing it
through a cleanup-filter into the sample well. The entire process takes < 10 minutes with the BEAM
measurement itself taking less than ten seconds to complete.

The BEAM comes complete with a rugged watertight case stocked with all the supplies needed for sample analysis and calibration. Software for data downloading to a PC is also included. The BEAM is a portable, robust and accurate instrument specifically designed to measure the DOM content of ballast water.

More Information

BEAM Brochure (PDF Document)