We undertook an engineering investigation into reliability issues affecting the Leeuwin Class reverse osmosis (RO) plants, identifying significant deficiencies in pumps, system design, protection, and safety.
AMT (now part of BMT) was then engaged to complete the Detail Design and ILS Package for the upgrade of the RO Plant system which involved the integration two new Reverse Osmosis Plants and upgraded seawater feed pumps. Other equipment integrated as part of the upgrade were a chlorine gas detection system including sensor, controller and sounder beacons, activated carbon filters for dechlorination of the fresh water flushing water, sand media filters for the feed seawater, sediment cartridge filters for feed seawater, a remineralisation filter for treating the RO product water and a Sodium Hypochlorite Dosing system for chlorination.
Electrical work included switchboard modifications and the addition of an auxiliary control box to integrate solenoid valves on seawater feed and freshwater flush lines to facilitate automatic operation and minimise ship’s crew operation and maintenance burden.
Installation was completed on HMAS Leeuwin in May 2019 and installation on HMAS Melville was completed in August 2019. We provided onsite production support in Cairns to facilitate resolution of issues and provide designer input to the process. This activity also provided the opportunity to enhance AMT personnel’s experience in managing production and installation issues with tight schedule constraints.
Final testing of the product water was completed at an external laboratory and met all applicable requirements.
The upgraded RO Plants provide the ship’s crew with a reliable source of potable water which is critical for maintaining capability and morale.
This project highlighted our capability in managing a variety of stakeholders including the End Customer, In-Service Support Contractor, Equipment OEMs and Installation Contractors to achieve an excellent outcome.
The FSU project was a major mid-life combat system upgrade of the Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC Class frigates, involving replacement, addition, and modification of most combat system equipment and associated spaces, including a significant redesign of ship topsides. The program demonstrated our whole-of-ship design capability and ability to deliver complex, internationally coordinated naval integration programs within a constrained schedule.
The award of twenty licenses combines SARIS v4 in Denmark with Greenland and the Faroe Islands.