PROJECT

BILGE WATER TREATMENT

STUDENT: PILAR DIAZ ANGGELO

COURSE: ENGLISH V
TEACHER: GIL LOPEZ JOSE MARTIN
GRADE: 2ND YEAR CADET

SECTION: ALPHA-ENGINEERING
2022-I
 INDEX

INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..…………3

PROCESS DEFINITION…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………..4

ELEMENTS OF THE PROCESS…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………..5

HOW DOES IT WORK? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………6

MAINTENANCE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………7

IMPORTANCE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

WHAT ROLE DOES AN ENGINEERING OFFICER PLAY IN RELATION TO THIS PROCESS?...................................9

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING THIS SYSTEM?................................................................................10

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NECESSARY FOR OPERATING THIS SYSTEM?...........................................................11

WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WHICH ARE FACED WITH THE SYSTEM?...........................................12

IN CASE SPARE PARTS ARE REQUIRED WHO REQUIRES THEM AND WHO PROVIDES THEM?.........................13

WHICH REGULATION SUPERVISES THIS PROCESS?..........................................................................................14

WHAT PENALTIES DOES A SHIPPING COMPANY GET IF THIS PROCESS IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY?.........15

GLOSSARY ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16

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 INTRODUCTION
Most of us at some point must have asked
ourselves what happens to the feces, dirty
water after showering or washing clothes,
dishes, etc. Well, this project will explain the
elements of process, parts, uses, functions
and how it works in the field. And just as we
mention the good things about it, it’s also fair
to mention the consequences about a wrongful
use of this system because of the penalties
this causes to the company and vessel. In this
project we will also take upon the challenge to
talk about the importance of this system in the
daily life of a seafarer who depends on this
system for their hygiene which is very
rigorous when they’re onboard for months.

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 1. PROCESS DEFINITION
Every kind of oil/water separating process relies on gravity to follow the
steps. The way this works depends on the time and quantity of mixture of
oil/water is put into the tank for the process to take place. Once this
process is done, we would need to see the water in the inferior and the oil
in the superior part of the tank. Only then can you start the pumps to
take in both liquids as shown in the following image:

https://www.oilskim.com/blog/how-does-an-oil-water-separator-
work?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=&utm
_campaign=Leads-Performance+Max-
As1&hsa_grp=&hsa_mt=&hsa_ver=3&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ad=&hs
shown in the image below, we can observe another type of OWS.
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This system is more complex in a way but its process is the same.
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Somethings that change
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w_wcB
and are important are the
separating media and
sample valves which
makes this process a little
more precise to say the
least. Both work to let the
least amount of oil going
into the water tank and
later into the sea. 4
 FILTERS:
CYLINDRIC TANK:
This filter is used to
This is where all the separate the solid materials ELECTRONIC SENSORS (3):
water contaminated that could enter the OWS.
These sensors read the
with oil is.
water that’s coming through
and sends a signal to the
electronic board.

ELECTRIC BOARD: PRESSURE GAUGE:

This gives the pump a signal 2. ELEMENTS OF This measures the amount
of pressure that is within
to lunch and start

THE PROCESS
suctioning the water. the OWS.

PUMP: VALVES:

This is in charge of taking in the water We use these to either control the flow of fluids
and oil from their respective tubes. or to stop any fluids from passing through.

5
 3. HOW DOES IT WORK?
The way this works is:

- The water contaminated with oil is pumped into the OWS.

- This contaminated water is set to let the density do its work with it.

- The filters set solids aside.

- We wait a certain amount of minutes for the water and oil to separate
according to its density.

- Once the water and oil are separated from each other, 2 pumps are
launched to take in the oil and water into tank.

- These tanks later store the oil and process the water to later expulse it
out of the vessel.

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 4. MAINTENANCE
To carry out a correct maintenance we need to follow the
following steps:
- Stop all the pumps.
- Open all the valves from each chamber located at the
bottom.
- Any amount of unfiltered oil must be drained to the bilge
holding tank.
- Remove all electrical and pipe connections.
- Remove all the coalescer filters and inspect for its
condition.
- Replace the filters only if necessary.
- Baffle plate must be put back in place.
- Cleaned or new filters must be put back
- To finalize, we assemble all the system back.
-Fill the OWS with fresh clean water to verify that it’s
working correctly
- Ready to use.

https://shipfever.com/oily-water-separator/ 7

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free

version)
 5. IMPORTANCE
This system is important because according to IMO
MEPC 107(49) regulation, vessels cannot discharge
water contaminated with oil having read more than 15
parts per million of oil. This system gives the vessels
the advantage of discharging clean water into the sea
without altering its ecosystem. It’s also important for
releasing unwanted water from the vessel for it to pump
new water from a nearby area.

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6. WHAT ROLE DOES AN ENGINEERING OFFICER
PLAY IN RELATION TO THIS PROCESS?
An engineering officer is, depending on his/her rank, in charge of the
maintenance and operation of this system. In the case of a 3rd engineer,
he/she is going to be in charge of learning how to operate this system and
a 2nd engineer or the chief engineer is going to be in charge of operating
or supervising the system.
A 2nd engineer will be the one who’ll be in charge of teaching the 3rd
engineer and the engine cadet in case there were one, how to operate the
OWS. They are also the ones who are going the put the record which
include location, quantity, date and time on the log book. But before
letting the OWS discharge into the sea, the engineer must make sure that
the water contains less than 15ppm of oil in it.
A chief engineer, on the other hand, is in charge of all that was mentioned
and also of ordering anything needed for the system in case it causes any
setbacks because of failing parts within the system.

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7. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
SUPERVISING THIS SYSTEM?
Ideally, a chief engineer will be placed to supervise any
process that includes the treatment of oily water. And an OWS
system is not the exception; a chief engineer, because of such
high risks, supervises with utmost precision to minimize the
risks of marine pollution. Though a “How to Operate?” guide
is always posted near the oily water separator, there are few
points to be kept in mind and followed to prevent any mistake.
On the other hand, a second engineer is responsible for this
system and some other aspects about it like pollution
Prevention equipment onboard like the system that’s being
talked about, sewage plant, incinerator, etc.

https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/duties-of-2nd-engineer-on-ship/
10
8. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NECESSARY
FOR OPERATING THIS SYSTEM?

Now-a-days, only one engineer is needed to operate the OWS

meanwhile any other is just there to observe and learn in the
process. Only one is needed thanks to the fact that this
?
machine is automated and only requires the engineer to
confirm the amount of water that will be discharged and to
make sure that the PPM meet the standards for discharging it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQnBkpuKs1U

11
9. WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WHICH
ARE FACED WITH THE SYSTEM?
Alike any other system, an OWS can present a variety of technical problems; most of
which have an instant solution if you have the right tools and skills.

Low flow of water Water is flowing into

into the OWS the waste oil container
Some of these
problems are
Smell coming from There is oil present in
the OWS the water discharge

And these are just a few of the problems that could occur in a OWS. In the
following list there is going to be a way each of the problems could be fixed.
They’re in the same order as in the previous list.
Clear obstruction by flushing

Look for a discharge blockage. Check media packs, and

clean as necessary. Regular blockages may need further
investigation into the unit sizing and removal of solid debris

Check media packs and clean as per operations and

maintenance schedule

Check all basic operating conditions and close or clean the

origin of the smell

12

https://cleanawater.com.au/information-centre/common-oil-water-separator-problems-and-their-solutions
10. IN CASE SPARE PARTS ARE REQUIRED WHO
REQUIRES THEM AND WHO PROVIDES THEM?
Whenever a spare part is needed for any machinery onboard a vessel the
person who is supposed to have spares stored is the second engineer
since one of his duties is “spares and inventory” that states that the
second engineer is responsible for storing all the spares properly and
keeping and maintaining record of the spares’ inventory. This mean that if
a spare part is not onboard the vessel, the second engineer will be held
responsible for any setbacks as well as the first engineer and the chief
engineer as they are responsible for the second engineer’s actions.
The one responsible for providing these items is the head of the
department which provides the spare parts. From there, the chief engineer
is in charge of requiring these spare parts by presenting a list of items
needed for the voyage and the amount needed of each item. Once these
items are in the hand of the chief engineer, he hands them to the second
engineer which is in charge of the inventory of spare parts.

https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/duties-of-2nd-engineer-on-ship/ 13
11. WHICH REGULATION SUPERVISES THIS
PROCESS?

MARPOL is the international agreement which regulates any kind of

process that involves oil and its derivatives which include crude oil,
heavy fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and refined products like MGO. The way
it prevents pollution and ways to act in case a spill occurs is by
regulating the amount, kind of process, how to react to an accidental oil
spill and the fines a shipping company has to pay depending on the
damage done to the environment.

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 12. WHAT PENALTIES DOES A SHIPPING
COMPANY GET IF THIS PROCESS IS NOT
WORKING CORRECTLY?

The vessel may be detained, the owners/operators fined and

placed on probation and the involved crew member may be
imprisoned and/or fined. Many companies have been fined
millions in US Dollars for MARPOL violations worldwide.

http://www.marpoltraining.com/faq.html 15
 GLOSSARY
Gradient Currents- Currents caused by pressure gradients in the water.

Drift Angle- The angle between the ground track and water track.

Diurnal Stream- A tidal stream which reverses its direction once during the day.

Cross-Swell- Similar to cross-sea but the waves are longer swell waves.

Collapsible Container- Can be stowed when not in use.

Bold-To- Synonymous with steep-to.

Steerage Way- The minimum speed required to keep the vessel under control by means
. of the rudder.

To Shoal- To become shallower.

To Run Down a Coast- To sail parallel with it.

To Dock a Ship- To receive a ship into dock, or dry dock

Rudder stop Fitting to limit swing of the rudder.

Scuttle butt the designation for a container of the supply of drinking water for the
_ use of the crew.

Seize- To bind with small rope.

Shear line- A line at which a shearing cut is to be made.

Stay- A rope of hemp, wire or iron leading forward or aft for supporting a mast.

Fore rake- The forward part of the bow which overhangs the keel.

Flotsam- The parts of a wrecked ship and goods lost in shipwreck, both found
_ floating.

Buoyancy- Ability to float, lifting power when immersed.

Bullnosed bow- Bow with large rounded bow point underneath water line.

Building slip- An inclined launching berth where the ship is built.

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