COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA

(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 1 of 11

TOPIC 3

Bilge Water Treatment Techniques
Content: Page

3.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................02
3.2 Summary of oil-waste treatment technologies for shipboard application ..........02
3.3 Gravity type separators .......................................................................................03
3.4 Gravity type coalescing separators and membrane filtration..............................03
3.5 Emulsion Breaking Bilge Water Cleaning System from Marinefloc AB...........05
3.6 Shipboard Bio-Mechanical Oil Water Separator from Ensolve USA ................06
3.7 Principle of Coagulation and Flocculation .........................................................07
3.8 Important process parameters during flocculation..............................................09
3.9 Possible improved pre-treatment method of bilge water ....................................09
to comply with the regulation
3.10 Shipboard incinerator..........................................................................................10
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 2 of 11

TOPIC 3
Bilge Water Treatment Techniques
3.1 Introduction

There are various bilge water treatment methods and processes available
in order to comply with the regulation. The current treatment technologies
for bilge water are summarized below. However, the types and
arrangements of treatment processes and equipment used may vary from
ship to ship, depending on its classification and operation.

3.2 Summary of oily-waste treatment technologies for Shipboard Application

1. Physical Treatment Technologies

- make use of the waste physical properties to separate and/or concentrate
the waste, but do nothing to detoxify or change its chemical
characteristics.

Examples:
Sedimentation and Filtration

2. Chemical Treatment Technologies

- make use of the wastes chemical characteristics to manipulate,
concentrate, transform and/or detoxify the pollutants.

Examples:
neutralization, electrolysis, chemical precipitation and flocculation, oxidation
and reduction

3. Thermal Treatment Technologies

- make use of heat to separate, concentrate, or destroy waste. Incineration is
undoubtedly the oldest waste treatment method.

- but, due to its tendency to form small amounts of harmful by-products,

incineration remains the most controversial method used for the
destruction of waste.

(Refer to MARPOL Annex VI for the operational requirements of waste

incinerator)
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 3 of 11

4. Biological Treatment Technologies

- make use of living organism to separate, concentrate, or detoxify waste.

- used of bacteria and other microorganism to remove unwanted

hydrocarbons from contaminated waste water.

Example:
Bioremediation

3.3 Gravity type separators

The simplest separators of this type are nothing more than large holding tanks
which may be coupled together in series. The free phase oil float may be skimmed
or pumped off and the separated water is drained or pumped off from near the
bottom of the tank. When such tanks are coupled in series the oil from the top of
the first tank is fed into the second tank and any dispersed water remaining in the
oil will have additional opportunity to separate and of course the water quality
removed from the bottom of the second tank will exceed that of the first. For
cases where the pumping is continuous, the pumping rate determines the
residence time and this affects the degree of separation. However it is doubtful if
the effluent discharge will be less than 15 ppm at any pumping rate.

Gravity type separator

3.4 Gravity type coalescing separators and membrane filtration

When oily water is forced to pass through some type of oleophilic medium oil
droplets will tend to adhere and collect. They will join together by cohesive
attraction thereby increase their overall diameters and reduce the population
density of smaller droplets. The rate of separation of oil from water is directly
proportional to the square of droplet diameter this is the simplest and most
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 4 of 11

significant action which can be taken to separate an oil-water mixture (Stokes

Law). Figure below displays an example of such a separator.

Gravity type coalescing separator (Source: Coffin World Water System)

Gravity separation followed by skimming

is effective in removing free phase oil
from oily wastewater. OWS such as the
IMO approved separator, shown in figure
below and its variations have found
widespread acceptance in the maritime
industry as a low cost primary treatment
of bilge water. However, it is not effective
in removing smaller oil droplets and
emulsions. Gravity type coalescing
separators are suitable for emulsions that
have been induced mechanically;
coalescing separators can remove free oil
droplets by gravity if they are larger than
20 microns.
Typical IMO type approved oil water
separator (source: JOWA AB)
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 5 of 11

A typical OWS design consists of 50 plates, arranged in parallel on 2 cm, centers.

The plates are supported by a series of gutters, which isolate the collected
contaminants from the wastewater stream. As wastewater flows through the
coalescer media, oil droplets coalesce on the plate and rise to the surface. The
coalescing media pack is usually made of corrugated polyvinyl chloride,
fiberglass or poly propylene material. Sediments settle at the bottom.

Some of the problems presented when using this type of separator are: (1)
Ineffective separation when oil or emulsion content exceeds 4050% of the
influent evidenced by an increase of free water in the oil effluent and higher
concentration of hydrocarbon in the water effluent; (2) Requires pre-filtering
system to facilitate removal of particles greater than 6mm in diameter that may
clog the coalescing media.

Membrane filtration processes such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration,

nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are increasingly being applied as secondary
treatment for treating oily wastewater. Membranes are most useful with stable
emulsions, particularly water-soluble oily wastes. However, it has been said that
concentration-polarization and membrane fouling is a serious problem in
membrane filtration. Chemical or physical influences can easily lead to a
permanent clogging and even chemical cleaning process cannot restore the
permeate flow.

3.5 Emulsion Breaking Bilge Water Cleaning System from Marinefloc AB

Key Technology: Chemical Treatment

Main Features:
<3 PPM of Oil in the discharge water outlet
An EBBWCS can be tailor-made for each ship
Existing OWS can be used when necessary
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 6 of 11

Marinefloc System Diagram

3.6 Shipboard Bio-Mechanical Oil Water Separator from Ensolve USA

Key Technology: Biological treatment method

Main Features:
This automated bio-mechanical system is safe, reliable and requires low
maintenance.
Unlike conventional oil water separators, the Bio-Mechanical OWS actually
destroys oil and grease using naturally occurring bacteria.
It is specifically designed to treat oils emulsified by detergents or the ship's
motion. Emulsified oil is easier for the bacteria to consume because it
provides "bite size pieces" to the bacteria.
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 7 of 11

Ensolve Biomechanical Oil Water Separator

3.7 Principle of Coagulation and Flocculation

In wastewater treatment operations, the
processes of coagulation and flocculation are
employed to separate suspended solids from
water. Although the terms coagulation and
flocculation are often used interchangeably, or
the single term "flocculation" is used to
describe both; they are, in fact, two distinct
processes. Knowing their differences can lead to a better understanding of the
clarification and dewatering operations of wastewater treatment.
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 8 of 11

Finely dispersed solids (colloids) suspended in wastewaters are stabilized by

negative electric charges on their surfaces, causing them to repel each other.
Since this prevents these charged particles from colliding to form larger masses,
called flocs, they do not settle. To assist in the removal of colloidal particles from
suspension, chemical coagulation and flocculation are required. These processes,
usually done in sequence, are a combination of physical and chemical procedures.
Chemicals are mixed with wastewater to promote the aggregation of the
suspended solids into particles large enough to settle or be removed.

Coagulation is the destabilization of colloids by neutralizing the forces that keep

them apart. Cationic coagulants provide positive electric charges to reduce the
negative charge (zeta potential) of the colloids. As a result, the particles collide to
form larger particles (flocs). Rapid mixing is required to disperse the coagulant
throughout the liquid. Care must be taken not to overdose the coagulants as this
can cause a complete charge reversal and restabilize the colloid complex.

Flocculation, is the action of polymers to

form bridges between the flocs. and bind
the particles into large agglomerates or
clumps. Bridging occurs when segments
of the polymer chain adsorb on different
particles and help particles aggregate. An
anionic flocculant will react against a
positively charged suspension, adsorbing
on the particles and causing
destabilization either by bridging or
charge neutralization. In this process it is
essential that the flocculating agent be
added by slow and gentle mixing to allow
for contact between the small flocs and to
agglomerate them into larger particles. The newly formed agglomerated particles
are quite fragile and can be broken apart by shear forces during mixing. Care
must also be taken to not overdose the polymer as doing so will cause
settling/clarification problems. Anionic polymers themselves are lighter than
water. As a result, increasing the dosage will increase the tendency of the floc to
float and not settle.

Once suspended particles are flocculated into larger particles, they can usually be
removed from the liquid by sedimentation, provided that a sufficient density
difference exists between the suspended matter and the liquid. Such particles can
also be removed or separated by media filtration, straining or floatation. When a
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 9 of 11

filtering process is used, the addition of a flocculant may not be required since the
particles formed by the coagulation reaction may be of sufficient size to allow
removal. The flocculation reaction not only increases the size of the floc particles
to settle them faster, but also affects the physical nature of the floc, making these
particles less gelatinous and thereby easier to dewater.

3.8 Important process parameters during flocculation:

1. Correct flocculant dosage (100 to 500ppm) ex. 0.1 0.5 Liter/ton
2. Correct bilge water pH level (pH7 pH10)
3. Sufficient mixing operation (Rapid Slow agitation)
4. Sufficient heat to facilitate phase separation (50C 5C)
5. Sufficient settling time (60 mins)

3.9 Possible improved pre-treatment method of bilge water to comply with the
regulation
15ppm Oil Content Detector

Polyaluminiumchloride(PAC)

Overboard
Bilge Transfer Pump Treated Tank
O
Feed Pump W
S
AIR SUPPLY
2Bar
Filter
PRE-TREATMENT
IMO A.393(X)
Type Approved
MEPC.60 (33) Return line
Bilge Holding Tank Separated Oil Tank

EMULSIFIED OIL
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 10 of 11

Effective separation using flocculation-flotation technique is necessary to overcome

the effects of detergent present in the bilge and allow coalescence to cause droplet
flocculation. With the addition of cationic coagulant polyaluminiumchloride (PAC) in
the bilge water the stabilization layer in the oil in water emulsion is disrupted and
coagulation will occur. This high molecular weight flocculant chemical will
agglomerate the finely divided oil droplets suspended in water. The particles that
bound together will settle or float more rapidly. The coagulant will increase the size
and settling rate of suspended particles. Using induced-air flotation even very small
or light suspended particles that settle slowly can be removed more completely and in
a shorter time.

If necessary perform pH adjustment using Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to increase

bilge water pH to its desired pH level (pH 7 10).

Typical rule of thumb for chemical dosage using dosing pump (0.05 to 0.1%/Vol):

Flowrate Dosing pump

(m3/hr) setting (ml/min)
1 8.33 - 16.67
2 16.67 - 33.34
3 25.00 - 50.00
4 33.33 - 66.66
5 41.67 83.33

3.10 Shipboard Incinerator

How can we burn waste oil

effectively?

What can be burned in the

incinerator?

What happens to ash from the

incinerator?
COURSE MANUAL NORWEGIAN TRAINING CENTER - MANILA
(COMPENDIUM) NTC-M
of the
NMFPI
Bilge Water / Waste
Oil Operation Mgt. NORWEGIAN MARITIME FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

Section/Title Topic 3: Bilge Water Treatment Technique

Revision No. 03 Effectivity Date 16 July 2007 Page No. 11 of 11

Waste oil incineration procedures

1. Heating of waste oil 80-100oC for oil inlet temperature is required for easy
burning of oil. Heating will assist to evaporate water in the mixture. Waste oil
should be agitated before combustion for easy separation of oil and water.
2. No burning of plastics as they produce dangerous fumes.
3. Crockery, glass, metals, packing materials will not burn in incinerator.
4. Collect ashes and land ashore.

Shipboard Incinerator

***