Cutting edge solutions for your wastewater challenges

Bilge water, the engine room's generated wastewater, stands at the crossroads of maritime operations and environmental responsibility. No other waste stream aboard a ship carries the weight of potential million-dollar fines or even imprisonment. The term "magic pipe" might resonate with many marine engineers, a testament to the shortcuts and workarounds that have historically been employed, and unfortunately, are still in use on some vessels today.

But why, in an age of advanced technology and stringent regulations, do such practices persist? Several factors contribute:

• Economic Pressures: For some operators, bypassing proper treatment might seem like a cost-saving measure in the short term, despite the significant long-term risks.

• Lack of Awareness: Not all crews and operators are fully informed about the environmental and legal implications of improper bilge water disposal.

• Outdated Equipment: Many ships still operate with older systems that aren't equipped to handle the complex nature of modern bilge water.

• Complexity of Treatment: The diverse composition of bilge water can make its treatment a challenging task.

But what exactly is bilge water? It's a complex concoction, far more intricate than just oil and water. From washing chemicals, rust, and boiler water chemicals to lubrication oil, metals, soot, and even bacteria, bilge water reflects everything the engine room encounters. And while oil is the primary regulated substance, it's merely the tip of the iceberg when considering the potential environmental impact. Leaks from sewage systems, grey water, and other contaminants further complicate the mixture, making its treatment and disposal a significant challenge.

Moreover, the composition and volume of bilge water are not constants. They fluctuate based on daily activities, the vessel's trading area, onboard routines, and the specific equipment installed in the engine room. This variability underscores the need for a tailored approach to bilge water treatment, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all solution is far from ideal.

Marinfloc, with its rich history of pioneering solutions in wastewater treatment, understands these challenges intimately. Our approach to bilge water transcends mere compliance. Drawing from our extensive product portfolio, we offer a range of solutions, from settling tanks, heating systems, and pre-treatment units to advanced separators and our innovative Whitebox. But our commitment doesn't end with equipment installation. Continuous training, dedicated service, and regular verification form the backbone of our holistic approach, ensuring that vessels not only meet but exceed regulatory standards.

In the vast expanse of the maritime world, where the line between operational efficiency and environmental stewardship often blurs, Marinfloc stands as a beacon, guiding ships towards a future where the seas remain as pristine as nature intended.

Sewage treatment, often the least prioritized wastewater stream on many vessels, cannot be underestimated in its environmental impact. The oceans are impacted by untreated discharges, highlighting the importance of effective onboard solutions. Sewage treatment on ships presents technical challenges and complexities that can easily be overlooked, despite the clear environmental implications.

The Unseen Challenge: Few embark on a maritime career with dreams of managing a sewage treatment plant. The allure of the open sea, the intricate machinery, and the rhythm of ship life dominate the aspirations of many mariners. As a result, sewage treatment, despite its importance, often finds itself relegated to the background, with minimal enthusiasm or interest.

1. The Knowledge Gap: On land, sewage treatment plants are typically managed by individuals with specialized higher education. They are well-versed in the nuances of wastewater management and the intricacies of treatment processes. Contrast this with the maritime world, where the curriculum for mariners often glosses over, or entirely omits, in-depth training on sewage treatment. This disparity in knowledge and training can lead to unintentional oversights and inefficiencies.

2. The Blindfolded Operation: Many waste streams on ships have online measurement systems, offering real-time insights into contamination levels. However, for sewage treatment, the story is different. Accurate readings of parameters like BOD and COD require lab analyses, meaning crews often operate without a clear understanding of the effluent water's contamination levels. In essence, they're navigating blind.

Recognizing these challenges, Marinfloc has taken proactive steps to bridge the gaps:

• Connectivity: All our units come with connectivity features, allowing our support department to access real-time data. Should any issues arise, immediate assistance is just a call away.

• Turbidity Meter: We've integrated a turbidity meter in all our units, providing insights into the level of suspended solids in the effluent water. While it may not paint the complete picture, clear water is often an indicator of clean water.

• Training and Empowerment: We believe that knowledge is power. Marinfloc offers comprehensive training, both onboard and online, aiming to boost crew morale and kindle a genuine interest in operating the ship's STP.

In the intersection of maritime operations and environmental care, Marinfloc delivers practical solutions. We provide more than just equipment; we equip mariners with the tools and knowledge to safeguard our oceans, ensuring a sustainable coexistence between the seas and the vessels that navigate them.

Don’t treat what is already clean and don’t mix clean water with dirty as it will increase the volume of dirty water.

Condense water from the main engine air cooler, air condition drains etc. is normally very clean and the IBTS ( Integrated Bilge Water Treatment System) as per Marpol MEPC.1/Circ.642 recommends discharging it directly overboard without monitoring it. However  oil can be present if something goes wrong and will not release the crew from responsibility even though it is a Marpol sanctioned design.

Drilling slop is liquid waste that is a mixture of mostly water with significant concentrations of oil and drilling mud. It is generated in most spaces and locations that handle drilling mud including the drill floor, mud pump room, reserve and active pit rooms, mud processing room, shaker room, and sack room. The Marinfloc drill slop treatment system is capable of handling the high solid content concentrations of barite and bentonite and requires special handing and processing to treat to acceptable levels prior to discharging overboard. The system consist of a decanter centrifuge that will separate the solids from the water, a settling tank system that will heat the water and where oil and sediments are separated before treated by the separator that has been specially engineered to this demanding media.

The water flow in the piping from the deck drain can contain oil and should hence be measured and routed to holding tanks if the oil content is above the limit. The volumes can be very big at heavy rain and the flow through the piping also varies with the rain fall intensity and it has been a challenge to adequately measure the drain water.  The Marinfloc dRain unit will safely monitor and control the overboard discharge and rout clean water directly overboard regardless of flow rate through the drain piping and hence save a lot of clean water from entering the holding tanks.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is an important technology that plays a critical role in meeting Tier III requirements. When used with compliant fuel such as LSFO, VLSFO, or LNG, EGR helps to reduce NOx emissions. However, the EGR process generates a portion of bleed-off water that must be treated to less than 15 PPM, which is also the requirement for bilge water.

To help shipowners overcome this challenge, Marinfloc has developed an innovative solution that combines both treatment systems. By doing so, capital expenditures can be significantly reduced without any negative impact on performance. Additionally, the system can help to reduce operating expenditures by streamlining maintenance, spare parts, and training requirements for just one unit.

The Marinfloc system is based on our proven flocculation technology, which has thousands of references worldwide. As standard, the Whitebox® is included to segregate waste streams, eliminate cross-contamination, and record all activities. The Whitebox® also fulfills EXXON requirements and is our recommended solution for all US calling vessels.

We understand that many shipowners are hesitant to adopt EGR solutions due to the additional treatment unit that must be installed onboard. With the Marinfloc system, however, you not only remove one unit but also add one of the market's most reputable high-performance bilge separators, which produces effluent values of less than 5 PPM as standard.

By adopting the Marinfloc system, you can take advantage of all the benefits of EGR without the need for an extra treatment unit. When used in combination with the MAN-ES ECO EGR, the system can further reduce operating expenditures, resulting in even greater cost savings for your business.