S.T.

P ( Sewage Treatment Plant ) 

What Are Sewage Treatment Plant & How Do

They Work?

A sewage treatment plant is designed to treat and process raw sewage over different
steps involving breaking, filtering, settling, controlled aerobic decomposition and
chemical treatment.

One of the most common things that come in our mind regarding human waste; is to
dump it to the sewers and let the government take care of it. With an average person
producing more than 90 litters of sewage per day; it’s obvious to wonder how sewage is
managed and treated on ships.

Now since we no longer have the luxury to discharge untreated human waste at sea and
have limited space to store; the sewage produced is first treated and then discharged.
The process used to systematically break the sewage into small parts; using biological
and chemical method is known as sewage treatment.

While the system used to perform sewage treatment is called sewage treatment plant. A
sewage treatment plant on ship consists of a screen filter, primary chamber, aeration
chamber, demisters, blowers, settlement and chlorination chamber. Together they treat
and discharge waste to comply with Marpol regulation IV.

But Why All The Trouble – Can’t We Let Them

Break On Their Own ?
AHH ! The good old days before Marpol regulation 4 when we could literally dump
untreated human waste at sea. But why did it was forced to stop ? In the absence of
sewage treatment plant when we discharge the waste in open water; the waste starts to
attract aerobic bacteria and decompose on its own.

Not just it suck up the necessary oxygen from the water but also lead to widespread risks
of health epidemic if discharged near port. Moreover not all parts of sewage is
biodegradable or require same time to break down; thus making the situation even more
complex. Many a time the traces of nitrates, phosphate and other organic matter that
untreated sewage contains; leads to contamination of surrounding waters.

So to protect marine environment and spread of any epidemic the international maritime
community ask for a governing law under Marpol. This is how Marpol regulation 4 came
into existence on 27th September 2003; which deals with prevention of pollution due to
discharge of sewage at sea.

Thus to avoid heavy fine and possible embarrassment of the ship and the company; every
ship is equipped with dedicated sewage treatment plant.

 Biological Sewage Treatment Plant

Unlike chemicals used in chemical sewage treatment plant biological plants use aerobic
and aerobic bacteria to break down the sewage in simpler form and decompose. The
process by which the sewage is treated in biological sewage treatment plants by using
aerobic bacteria is known as aeration.

The plant consists of six major parts; the fine mesh filter, primary chamber, aeration
chamber, demister, settlement chamber and air blowers. The fine mesh of screen is fitted
at the inlet to the primary chamber filtering unwanted solids and debris fall into the
system. The mesh screen also helps in breaking the solid particle of organic waste
( sewage ) to break into smaller particles.

The primary chamber acts as the collection and holding tank for the raw sewage. These
tanks are equipped with level sensors and float switch to detect sewage level and avoid
overflow. This is the place where the heaviest of the particle settles down and the rest
moves to the aeration chamber.

Aeration chamber is the place where the magic happens. It’s basically a hybrid
bioreactors with air blows installed to provide favorable condition for aerobic bacteria to
reproduce and grow.

The sewage after bacterial action is then passed on to the next chamber called settling
tank. It consists of a set of separating channels with slop slides. The heavier sludge and
other sewage particle is separated of the light water; which is then discharged overboard.

Design Of Sewage Plants Used On Board Ship

Due to strict rules and regulations regarding the quality of water allowed to be
discharged from sewage treatment plant. The ship’s are generally equipped with hybrid
treatment plants; with biological process as their primary method of treatment and
chemicals as secondary.

The basic principle of the plant ( i.e to decompose raw sewage ) is taken up by the
biological units; and the killing of involved bacteria before final discharged is handled by
chemical units.
Just like the biological sewage treatment plant the system consist of; primary chamber,
aeration chamber and settling chamber with an addition of chlorination and activated
carbon chamber for chemical treatment.

1 ) Primary Chamber
The raw waste water originating from toilet, wash basins and bathrooms; with a
concentration of 0.1% solid waste by weight is stored in the primary chamber. The
sewage is fed into the chamber with special macerator pumps that reduce human waste
to slurry using blending and grinding techniques.

The blended raw sewage is then passed through a series of coarse screen mesh which
acts as a filter; stopping any unwanted solids such as parts of metal scraps, plastics and
raw toilet paper. Primary chamber then then stores the raw sewage for some time before
passing it on to aeration chamber.

2 ) Aeration Chamber
Aerobic bacteria needs food and warmth along with oxygen to survive. While there is
plenty of food stuff in the form of raw sewage; which they can break and utilize for
energy but there is very little oxygen content. This is why aeration chambers are
equipped with one set of two air blowers with one in service and another on stand by.

The air is pumped from the blew of the aeration chamber using a controlled air diffuser
thus forming air bubbles. This thus increase the surface area and helps in the growth and
reproduction of aerobic bacteria. The proper ventilation system and exhaust fitted in the
chamber allow for the NH3 and CO2 Produced to escape.

3 ) Settling Chamber
The waste water after biological treatment went to the settling chamber where the
heavier solid particles settles down by effect of gravity.  To further support the process
and nullify effects of flow of sewage; the waste water is inserted into the chamber from
chamber and exit from top to the next chamber.

The chamber is sometimes also called as the hopper tank due to the presence of sloping
slides one after another to increase the separation efficiency of the settling tanks /
chamber. To reduce the need to add fresh set of bacteria and increase plant efficiency;
many new designs came with air driven ejector pump.

They pumps 1/4th of the sludge back to aeration chamber for further treatment and
growth of bacteria in the fresh lot of sewage.
4 ) Activated Carbon Addition
Activated carbon is added on purpose to the biological treated sewage to remove the
foul color and bad smell. It get on to absorb all the organic molecules associated with the
smell and distinct colour. In many design the activated carbon sets are filled just after the
settling chamber; thus allowing waste water to be treated before moved to next chamber.

This is achieved by the process called adsorption. Many a times they not just used to
remove odor and color; but also unwanted bi-product  of biological treatment. The short
explanation for why only activated carbon is used for the purpose is that; it provide large
surface area with many bonding sites to trap targeted molecules or compound.

5 ) Chlorination Chamber
Just like everything that glitters is not gold; water that don’t smell or appears unhealthy is
allowed to be dumped at sea. In fact even after passing through the activated carbon; the
waste water still contains the aerobic bacteria that we used in first place. So the treated
waste water is disinfected killing all germs ( Salmonella & Pseudomonas ) and bacteria
prior to final discharge.

The chlorination chamber thus provides the space and means to hold and disinfectant the
waste water using chlorine solution. While some ships use chemical injection method;
most prefer the old but solid method of tablet dosing.

The chlorine reacts with their inter cellular enzymes and cell membrane; making them
incapable to reproduce, die or nonfunctional.

Rules And Regulation Governing Sewage

Treatment Plant
While most authorities whether at sea or land prefer to limit the oxygen demand of the
bio-chemical compound; to be as less as 20. But at sea there are special set of rules
stated under Marpol regulation 4; governing the operation and discharge criteria of
sewage treatment plant.

The law requires all ships and water vessels above 4000 Gross tonnage dead weight or
carrying more than 15 crew / personal in international waters is required to have
dedicated sewage treatment plant or sludge tank to hold sewage for appropriate time.
The provision of these rules are nor applicable to territorial waters under state control.

Under regulation 9.1.02 of Marpol Annex IV the discharge of sewage is permitted if the

ship proves to have approved sewage treatment plant installed on board. The law
required the ships to have a log of sewage produced, discharged, treated and transferred
to shore facility. The law require the ships to discharge disinfected treated waste at a
distance of at least 3 nautical miles from the nearest land. Furthermore in case of normal
biological sewage treatment plant i.e waste water untreated with chlorine and active
carbon; is required to discharged at at least 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.

Under Resolution MEPC 62 adopted on 2013 all passenger ships; are restricted from
discharging sewage in special area ( i.e Baltic Sea ). They are only required to discharge if
they provide evidence that; their sewage treatment plants are of approved type and
capable to meet the standards for nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

S. T.P ( Sewage Treatment Plant ) Working

Principle

The main aim of sewage treatment plant is to treat the raw sewage to acceptable levels
so can be dumper or discharged at sea. To perform task the raw sewage had to undergo
several process; that break, disintegrate, treat and disinfect the waste water. These
process start with the introduction of raw sewage into the primary chamber through a
coarse filter.

This is the place where the heavy grit settles down on its own weight leaving the mixture
of fine solid waste and water. This mixture is then introduced to the aeration chamber;
where either fresh set of aerobic bacteria is added or reproduced from a part of sludge
and waste left from last treatment.

These microorganisms use the available oxygen and organic waste to reproduce and
grow. In the process they convert organic matter into carbon dioxide, ammonia and other
byproducts including other inorganic and organic residue. While there are various factors
that can play hand in the time required in the process; but the most important are, air
supply ( Oxygen ), temperature, P.H, surface area and sewage quality.

The treated waste is then passed through sedimentation tank; where the slurry and heavy
solids get separated of waste water. It is then sent to the chlorination chamber through;
an activated carbon channel.

These substances with their large surface area and targeted bonding hands; adsorb
molecules and compounds leading to distinct colour and smell of waste water. The non
stinky clean waste water is then added with chlorine solution to kill off any residual
bacteria; before the final discharge to the open sea.

Q. Does Sewage Treatment Plant On Ship Smells ?

For everyone who has nor been on ship and watch ship’s sewage treatment plant
working; its a very obvious question. So yes all sewage treatment plant smell but the
smell produced is contained within its wall; to ensure convenience and safety of the
operating crew in the engine room.

But in case you be require to open the manhole above the screen filter; be prepared for
the sudden burst of foul smell. So it is advised to wear appropriate masks before such
inspection and cleaning. It will smell much like rotten eggs with strong nauseating feel
due to ammonia and traces of hydrogen sulfide.

The complete plant is properly covered and airtight to secure and hold all the by product
even the gas produce with proper ventilation ducts. So if you feel the strong feeling of
foul smell near S.T.P its probably due to improper locking of access hatches or manholes.

Q. Does Sewage Treatment Plants Work Similar To The Septic Tanks ?

Although both sewage treatment plant and septic tank seems to work in a similar way;
they are two different thing. The septic tank on one hand is a closed chamber placed
deep down in the soil; allowing the sewage to decompose on its own. On another hand
sewage treatment plant use dedicated system and chamber to treat the sewage.

The one let the nature to do its job either aerobically or anaerobically while the other
regulates the production of aerobic bacteria and their consumption of human waste. In
short a septic tank is a low cost alternative to sewage treatment plant which are generally
complex and require frequent maintenance and watch keeping.
While the septic tank is good for your house or camping needs; sewage treatment plant
is for the cities, ships and industries. The S.T.P require a regular dose of bacteria, chlorine
and air; while septic tanks require one dose of live bacteria packets per year.

Furthermore the end product of the septic tanks can be used as biomass for agriculture;
but are still hazardous to health and so require properer care while utilization. On other
hand the output of sewage treatment plant are clean and hazard free due to no live
bacteria in it.

Q. How And When Treated Water is Discharged On Ship ?

The treated waste water is discharged by the ships sewage treatment plant by using the
level switch; activated by the level sensors on the final chlorination chamber. When the
level is high the treated waste water is set to flow through the discharge line to;
dedicated sewage discharge pump.

The operating crew adjust the position of valves to discharge overboard or to the sewage
holding tanks; based on location of ship from nearest land. However in any situation the
crew or operating personnel must always comply to the rules and guidelines of Marpol
regulation IV.

1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

2. Coliform Count
3. Recommended levels of pumping out solids
4. Bio-chemical digestion of sewage

1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Biochemical oxygen demand is a test to identify biological decomposable
substances and to test the strength of the sewage. BOD depends on the
activity of bacteria in the sewage. These bacteria feed on and consume
organic matter in the presence of oxygen.

BOD can also be defined as the amount of oxygen required by the micro-
organisms in the stabilization of organic matter. The results are generally
expressed as the amount of oxygen taken by one litre sample (diluted with
aerated water) when incubated at 20 degree for five days.

BOD of raw sewage is 300-600 mg/litre. IMO recommends BOD of less

than 50 mg/litre 25 Qi/Qe mg/l (Updated by MEPC159) and the chemical
oxygen demand (COD) does not exceed 125 Qi/Qe mg/l. The test method
standard should be ISO 5815 1:2003 for BOD5 without nitrification and ISO
15705:2002 for COD, or other internationally accepted equivalent test
standards.after treatment through sewage treatment plant.
2. Coliform Count
Coliform is a type of organism which is present in human intestine and is
recognized as indicator organisms of sewage pollution. Presence of these
organisms in water is an indication of pathogen (pathogen count), which are
diseases causing bacteria responsible for cholera, dysentery, typhoid etc.

The number of coliform organisms present in sewage on ship is very large,

with each person contributing around 125 billion in winters and 400 billion in
summer.

IMO recommends faecal coliform count of less than 250 faecal/100 ml  100

thermotolerant coliforms / 100 ml (Updated by MEPC159) of affluent after
treatment.

3. Recommended levels of pumping out solids

Dissolved solids – Solids which are dissolved in the solution

Suspended solids – Solids physically suspended in sewage that can be

removed by laboratory filtration and are relatively high in organic matter.

Settle able solids – Suspended solids that will subside in quiescent liquid in a
reasonable period of time (usually around an hour)

Suspended level of raw sewage – Around 300-400 mg/litre; IMO

recommends 25 Qi/Qe mg/l after treatment.

Residual disinfectant – After treatment residual disinfectant should be as low

as possible. IMO recommends use of ultra violet exposure for chlorination
method.

4. Biochemical digestion of sewage:

Anaerobic process

Anaerobic bacteria can only multiply in the absence of free oxygen as they
utilize chemically bound oxygen to survive. Anaerobic bacteria break down the
organic matter into water, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide and
ammonia. This process is called putrefaction.
The products thus produced out of this process are noxious and toxic. The
effluent is of poor quality and by-products are highly corrosive.

Aerobic process

Aerobic bacteria require free oxygen to survive. They break down the organic
matter to produce safe products such as water, carbon dioxide, inert residue,
and energy to synthesize new bacteria.