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

CONVERSATION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...17

CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...19

WHAT DID I LEARN? ….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………20

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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?

As shown in the image below, we can observe another type of OWS. This
system is more complex in a way but its process is the same.
Somethings that change 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.
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 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 This measures the amount
to lunch and start of pressure that is within
suctioning the water.
OF THE the OWS.

PROCESS

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.

3. HOW DOES IT WORK?

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 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.

4. MAINTENANCE
To carry out a correct maintenance we need to follow the
following steps: 6

- Stop all the pumps.

 - Open all the valves from each chamber located at the bottom.

5. IMPORTANCE
https://shipfever.com/oily-water-separator/

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 7
million of oil. This system gives the vessels the advantage of
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 3 rd 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.
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A 2 engineer will be the one who’ll be in charge of teaching the 3 engineer and
nd rd

the engine cadet in case there were one, how to operate the OWS. They are also
7. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
SUPERVISING THIS SYSTEM?

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 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.

8. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NECESSARY

FOR OPERATING THIS SYSTEM?
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/duties-of-2nd-engineer-on-ship/

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

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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
9. WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQnBkpuKs1U

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 into the OWS Water is flowing into the waste oil container

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Some of these problems are

Smell coming from the OWS

 There is oil present in 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

ge. Check media packs, and clean as necessary. Regular blockages may need further investigation into the unit

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

10. IN CASE SPARE PARTS ARE REQUIRED WHO

REQUIRES THEM AND WHO PROVIDES THEM?
https://cleanawater.com.au/information-centre/common-oil-water-separator-problems-and-their-solutions
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
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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
11. WHICH REGULATION SUPERVISES THIS
PROCESS?
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/duties-of-2nd-engineer-on-ship/

MARPOL is the international agreement which regulates any kind of process

that involves oil and its derivatives which include crude oil, heavy fuel 13 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
12. WHAT PENALTIES DOES A SHIPPING
COMPANY GET IF THIS PROCESS IS NOT
WORKING CORRECTLY?
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 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.

GLOSSAR
http://www.marpoltraining.com/faq.html

Gradient Currents-
Y
Currents caused by pressure gradients in the water.

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

CONVERSATION
Introduction (PILAR): Sarango is going to a workshop at a nearby maritime center to get some
clarifications about a machinery which he knows little about. He hopes to get answers in a way he
can understand them so that he can be ready for any question a chief engineer can ask him when
his time to embark comes.

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SARANGO: Hello is this the maritime center where there's a workshop taking place?

PILAR: Yes this is the place. I'm the group leader and we're almost ready to start the Q&A

SARANGO: Great. Can I start? I'm eager to know everything about the bilge water treatment

PILAR: That's one of the most important machineries on board a vessel. What would you like to
know about it?

SARANGO: I want to know about what it is exactly. Something like a definition of it.

PILAR: Well. This machine is what marine engineer use to separate the water from the oil that is
expulsed from the machineries that work with oil or grease as a lubricant.

SARANGO: Ok. And what is the importance of this machine? What caused the necessity of it?

PILAR: This machine is important because thanks to it we can dump water that won't be
contaminated with oil in it when we get to port. This way we're not going to contaminate the
ocean in case we have to dump the water overboard.

SARANGO: I didn't know any of that. It's very interesting. What about its parts. What are the parts
that compose this machine?

PILAR: Well, primarily it’s composed of a cylindric tank which is used to stores the oil-water
mixture. Then we have filter that prevent solid particles from entering the system. There’s a
pressure gauge which will help us measure the pressure within the oily water separator. At the
end of the system, we have many valves that help control de amount of fluid which flows through
the pipes. And for all of the to take to place we have pumps that extracts water that settles at the
bottom and another one that extracts the oil that sets on the superior part of the tank.

SARANGO: Wow that a los of interesting parts. It’s impressive how technology has advanced so
much with these systems.

PILAR: Yes, they are advanced system that have many processes to prevent pollution. It’s very
important.

SARANGO: Now I would like to know about the maintenance that this system has to go through.

PILAR: That’s another good point. Well. For this system we must shut down the pumps so the no
water enters or exits the system. We then open the valves located at the very bottom of the tank.
This makes all the liquid go through the pipe and leaves the tank ready for inspection and
maintenance. We must retrieve the filter and replace them new ones. Then at the very bottom we
have a baffle plate that just needs to be cleaned out and put back in place. Then, if no other
inspection is necessary, we can reassemble the OWS and turn it back on. We fill it with water and
verify it’s working properly.

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SARANGO: It must be a very nasty process but it sounds fun at the same time.

PILAR: Well, yes, it is. It’s usually a process that take a bit long but it’s worth it at the end. Anything
else you want to ask?

SARANGO: Well yes. What are the regulations that must be followed to know if the process is
taking place correctly?

PILAR: 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.

SARANGO: That’s a lot of responsibility that a merchant marine has on board. But now, keeping
this part open. What are the penalties that a shipping company can get if this process fails or is
altered by some negligence?

PILAR: When it comes to this machine failing it’s very hard to go unnoticed. 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.

SARANGO: Wow. That’s good because this way the shipping companies are going to be more
carefull than before when handling these kinds of machines.

PILAR: You’re right. It’s very important to know how to work this piece of machinery and how to
act in case it fails.

SARANGO: That’s right. Well Mr. Pilar I’m really thankful for your time. Hope to see you next time
to explain a little about another machine.

PILAR: Thank you for coming. Come back some other day. Have a great day

SARANGO: Thank you. See you later. Bye

PILAR: bye.

CONCLUSIONES
To conclude this project, it’s important to state out the importance that this machine has gained
because of its functions. The reason it exists comes a long way back when oil pollution wasn’t
something shipping companies really put much important into. Now a days the restrictions, type
of machines that exist that exist, the maintenance, the fines that shipping companies get in case
an accident happens are all taken into account before this machine is used.

But the most important part of this machine is the fact that it prevents oil pollution and that’s
what really matter, actually. The fines or restriction are all just formalities for the good use of this
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machine. Most of the time they only use this machine to follow protocol but few use it to actually
protect the environment which is what it was made for.

This machine uses simple physics to work and thanks to that only a few part and auxiliary parts are
need but the never the less, this machine must remain in function. The physical part is always
going to happen but maybe it’ll take just one part to fail to make the rest of the process fail.

WHAT DID I LEARN?

I learned that oil pollution is a very common problem around the world because then machines
like the OWS wouldn’t have had a reason to exist. Now a days this machine is a must-have on
board and transoceanic shipping company and must be a well-kept machine that must be able to
separate the oil and water from each other to start the process. The fines are very elevated
probably because the contamination of the sea by oil is a very deadly outcome of a machine
failure and must be punished severely and that’s the way it must be done.

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