VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES

SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

BILGE PUMPING SYSTEM

AIM:
To study about bilge pumping system for a machinery space.

ARRANGEMENTS OF BILGE MAIN

The bilge main is arranged to drain any watertight compartment other than ballast, oil or
water tanks and to discharge the contents overboard. The number of pumps and their
capacity depend upon the size, type and service of the vessel. All bilge suctions must be
fitted with suitable strainers or mud boxes positioned at floor plate level for easy access. A
vertical drop pipe would lead down to the bilge.

The emergency bilge suction or bilge injection valve is used to prevent flooding of the ship.
It is a direct suction from the machinery space bilge which is connected to the largest
capacity pump or pumps. An emergency bilge pump is required for passenger ships but may
also be fitted as an extra on cargo ships. It must be a completely independent unit capable
of operating even if submerged.

The Fire pump, excluding any emergency fire pump fitted, must be capable of delivering a
total quantity of water at defined head not less than two-third of total bilge pump capacity.
The defined head ranges from 3.2 bar in the case of passenger ship of 4000 GRT or more to
2.4 bar of cargo ship of less than 1000 GRT.

Pump installed for bilge pumping duties must be self priming or able to be primed. The
centrifugal type with an air pump (priming device) is suitable and there are a number of
rotary self priming pump available. Engine driven pumps are usually of the reciprocating
type.

The bilge system is used to remove water or oily water from dry spaces/ bilge well through
out the vessel and is fitted with screw down non return valve(sdnr) to prevent any flooding
back to the compartment served.

Current MARPOL legislation stipulates that separated bilge water containing 15 ppm or
below in water can be disposed into the international water. Some national, Regional and
local authorities have more stringent regulations. In the united states and in the Baltic and
 VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES
SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

the north sea the disposal of separated bilge water is only permitted atleast 12 nautical mile
from shore.

A typical system is shown in Figure. The various pumps and lines are interconnected to some
extent so that each pump can act as an alternative or standby for another. 

Bilge systems on board

RESULT:

Thus bilge system for a machinery space is studied.

VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES
SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8