To : Chief Engr. Zosimo C. Sionil Jr.

Training Manager
Arctic Shipping Corporation – Training Department

CC : Chief Engr. Nino Mhelbert R. Nuez

Engine Instructor

CC : Engr. Kirby E. Dadole

Engine Instructor

Date : August 13, 2021

Subject: Sewage Treatment Plant

Principle of Sewage Treatment Plant

The basic principle of the working of a biological treatment plant is decomposition of the raw
sewage. This process is done by aerating the sewage chamber with fresh air. The aerobic bacteria
survive on this fresh air and decompose the raw sewage which can be disposed of in the sea. Air is
a very important criterion in the functioning of the biological sewage plant because if air is not
present, it will lead to the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which produces toxic gasses that are
hazardous to health. Also, after decomposition of the sewage with anaerobic bacteria, a dark black
liquid causes discoloration of water which is not accepted for discharging. Thus in a biological
sewage treatment plant, the main aim is to maintain the flow of fresh air.
Aeration and blowers
Waste water is led to the aeration chamber I by gravity and vacuum. Bacterial growth is stimulated
by oxygen of air. Required air is produced by the air blowers and led to the aeration chamber I and
II via installed aerators. An aerobic process continues in the aeration chamber II. Inorganic solids
(for instance plastic) are stopped in the aeration chambers I and II. Air flow can be adjusted
between chambers I and II using air valves.

Settling of Sludge
Activated sludge is separated in the settling chamber by gravity and clarified water flows to the
disinfection chamber. Activated sludge is pumped back to the aeration chamber I by an air driven
ejector pump (also called as air lift). Air flow for the sludge ejector is adjusted so that the sludge
return from the chamber III is about 1/3 of the pipe section (A transparent hose above tank). Rest
of the air flow produced by the blower is used for aeration and divided equally between tanks I
and II. Sludge has to be removed frequently from the process to maintain a good biological
balance in the sewage treatment unit. Sludge content in process (in chamber I) must be kept
between 100ml/l and 500 ml/l. Sludge is removed by the discharge pump.

Disinfection
Disinfection chemical (e.g. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), solution, active chlorine 10%) is added to
the clarified water in the disinfection chamber to meet IMO’s requirements regarding presence of
coliform bacterias in treated water. Residual chlorine must be kept between 2 ppm and 5 ppm.
Residual chlorine can be adjusted by the dosing pump’s settings and/or timer settings. Treated
water can be pumped to sea or ashore by the discharge pump.

DISCHARGE RATE 3.1

The maximum permissible discharge rate is 1/200,000 (or one 200,000th part) of swept volume as follows:

DRmax = 0.00926 V D B

Where:

DRmax is maximum permissible discharge rate (m3 /h)

V = is ship’s average speed (knots) over the period

D = is Draft (m)

B = is Breadth (m)
Starting of a Sewage Plant

Sewage plant is generally running all the time during sailing, but it might need to be started when
the ship is installed with a new sewage treat plant which needs to be stopped at regular interval of
time for improving its performance and maintenance procedures. Below are the points that need
to be followed for starting a sewage treatment plant

1. Make sure if any maintenance is carried out on the sewage treatment system, all the openings have been
closed properly before starting.

2.  The sewage plant is be filled with fresh water inside the chamber.

3.  At this stage, there are no aerobic bacteria inside the chamber, but the sewage has started coming to the
plant. Thus, in order to increase efficiency and starting rate of the plant bio pac is added to the plant by
flushing the amount specified in the manual. This bio pac is mixed with warm water which helps in growth of
these bacteria and also efficient functioning of the plant.

4. If the bio pac is not added, the plant might take up to 5 to 7 days to be completely functional. However, with
the bio pac it becomes functional within 24 hours

5. Start the air compressor or open the air valve as per the design of the plant. The pressure is maintained as
per the manual. Generally 0.3- 0.4 bars.

6.  Open the sewage overboard valve and close holding tank valve when the ship is out of restricted waters. 

7. The plant is continuously monitored and checked for the flow through the transparent plastic tubes.

8. The sample is taken for checking for suspended solids and chlorine content.

Stopping of the plant

Stopping of the sewage treatment plant is generally done either before entering the dry dock or in case
some maintenance has to be carried out inside the treatment plant. 

1. For stopping the system, close the inlet valve to the sewage plant and close the overboard valve and let
the sewage go overboard. 

2. Empty all the three chambers of the plant i.e. aeration, settling and chlorination chambers. If the
chambers are not emptied, it will lead to growth of anaerobic bacteria which forms the toxic H2S gas.

3.  If entry has to be made inside the tank, the later should be checked for hydrogen sulphide gas H2S with
the help of dragor tube by taking a continuous sample from the plant. Entry is made with the help of
mask and rubber gloves should be put on.

4.  In case the ship is going to dry dock the overboard should be connected to shore reception facilities.