- With reference to Oily Water Separators and the pumping of bilges, explain the purpose of EACH of the following:
(a) a bilge holding tank;(2)
(b) an oil drain tank;(2)
(c) an oil content discharge monitor;(2)
(d) a vacuum breaker;(2)
(e) an oil detection probe.(2)
What is a bilge holding tank?
A bilge holding tank is a tank on board a vessel that is specifically designed to collect and store bilge water before it’s treated or discharged.
Purpose:
- Compliance with Regulations: MARPOL Annex I prohibits the discharge of oily mixtures (including bilge water) with an oil content exceeding 15 parts per million (ppm) unless the ship is en route, more than 12 nautical miles from land, and using an approved oily-water separator (OWS). The bilge holding tank allows the ship to store bilge water when these conditions are not met.
- Facilitating Treatment: The holding tank provides a place to store the bilge water until it can be processed through the OWS to reduce the oil content to an acceptable level for discharge. 1. Bilge water – Wärtsilä www.wartsila.com
- Emergency Storage: In the event of OWS malfunction or other issues, the holding tank provides temporary storage for bilge water, preventing its uncontrolled discharge into the sea.
Key Features:
- Capacity: The tank’s capacity varies depending on the ship’s size and type, but it should be large enough to accommodate the expected volume of bilge water generated during normal operations and potential emergencies.
- Location: Typically located in the lower part of the ship, often in the engine room or near the bilge wells.
- Construction: Made of corrosion-resistant materials, such as steel or fiberglass, to withstand the harsh marine environment and the potential presence of corrosive substances in the bilge water.
- Level Indication: Equipped with level gauges or alarms to monitor the water level and prevent overfilling.
- Ventilation: Adequate ventilation is necessary to prevent the buildup of flammable or toxic gases that may be present in the bilge water.
Operation:
- Collection: Bilge water is pumped from the bilge wells into the holding tank using bilge pumps. 1. Monitoring and controlling bilge water discharge – ABB Measurement & Analytics Blog new.abb.com
- Treatment: When conditions permit, the bilge water is pumped from the holding tank through the OWS for treatment. The treated water, if meeting the discharge criteria, is then discharged overboard.
- Disposal: If the treated water still exceeds the permissible oil limit or if discharge is not allowed, the water may be retained in the holding tank until it can be properly disposed of at a port reception facility.
Importance:
- Environmental Protection: Bilge holding tanks play a crucial role in preventing marine pollution by enabling the proper treatment and controlled discharge of bilge water. 1. Monitoring and controlling bilge water discharge – ABB Measurement & Analytics Blog new.abb.com
- Regulatory Compliance: They help ships comply with MARPOL Annex I regulations on oil discharges, avoiding penalties and detentions.
- Operational Flexibility: They provide flexibility in bilge water management, allowing for storage and treatment when direct overboard discharge is not permitted.
In summary, a bilge holding tank is a critical component of a ship’s pollution prevention system, enabling the collection, storage, and treatment of bilge water to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect the marine environment.
What is an oil drain tank?
An oil drain tank is a specialized container used to collect and store used oil, primarily during maintenance operations on machinery or engines.
It serves as a temporary holding vessel for the oil before it’s transferred for proper disposal or recycling.
1. What is the use of oil drain tank? – ADAS Calibration
Key Purposes:
- Efficient Oil Collection: The tank provides a convenient and controlled way to collect used oil from various sources, such as engine sumps, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, and other lubricated components. 1. Oil Drain Tanks & Waste Oil Equipment Packages – Fluidall www.fluidall.com
- Spill Prevention: By containing the used oil, the tank helps prevent spills and leaks, minimizing environmental contamination and workplace hazards.
- Safe Storage: The tank provides a secure and designated location for storing used oil until it can be properly disposed of or recycled. This ensures that the oil doesn’t pose a fire hazard or become a source of pollution.
Common Features:
- Capacity: The tank’s capacity varies depending on the application, but it should be sufficient to hold the expected volume of used oil generated during maintenance operations.
- Construction: Typically made of durable materials like steel or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to resist corrosion and withstand the handling of oil. 1. Oil Drain Tanks & Waste Oil Equipment Packages – Fluidall www.fluidall.com
- Drain Valve: A valve at the bottom allows for easy and controlled draining of the collected oil.
- Fill Opening: A large opening at the top facilitates pouring or pumping used oil into the tank.
- Level Indicator: A sight glass or other level indicator helps monitor the oil level in the tank, preventing overfilling.
- Wheels and Handles: Some tanks are equipped with wheels and handles for easy maneuverability and transport. 1. A A IN AA045 8 Gallon Portable Waste Oil Drain,Industrial Fluid Drain Tank with Wheels and Adjustable Funnel Height. Red. – Amazon.com www.amazon.com
- Lid or Cover: A lid or cover helps prevent debris or contaminants from entering the tank and minimizes the release of oil fumes.
Applications:
- Engine Room: Used to collect used lubricating oil during engine oil changes or other maintenance activities.
- Workshop: Used for collecting oil drained from various machinery and equipment during repairs or servicing. 1. The Benefits of Bunded Waste Oil Tanks | Stratex stratex.com.au
- Automotive: Commonly used in garages and workshops for oil changes on cars and other vehicles. 1. Oil Drain Tank | Oil Evacuator | ASE Deals – Automotive Service Equipment www.asedeals.com
Importance of Oil Drain Tanks:
- Environmental Protection: They help prevent oil spills and leaks, minimizing pollution of soil and water.
- Safety: By containing used oil, they reduce the risk of slips, falls, and fire hazards.
- Compliance: Proper use of oil drain tanks helps comply with environmental regulations and waste disposal guidelines. 1. Oil Drain Tanks & Waste Oil Equipment Packages – Fluidall www.fluidall.com
- Resource Conservation: The collected oil can be recycled and reprocessed, contributing to resource conservation and reducing the need for new oil production.
In conclusion, an oil drain tank is a valuable tool for managing used oil in various settings, including ships. It promotes environmental protection, safety, and responsible waste management practices.Sources and related content
What is an oil content discharge monitor
An
Oil Content Discharge Monitor (OCM), also known as an Oil Content Meter, is a crucial device used on ships to continuously monitor and measure the concentration of oil in the discharged water from an Oily-Water Separator (OWS).
1. How does an oil in water monitor work? – Rivertrace
Key Function:
- Real-time Monitoring: The OCM continuously analyzes the effluent (treated water) from the OWS to determine its oil content in real-time. 1. Oil content meter – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Regulatory Compliance: Its main purpose is to ensure that the oil content in the discharged water remains within the permissible limit set by MARPOL Annex I, which is 15 parts per million (ppm). 1. How does an oil in water monitor work? – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
- Alarm and Control: If the oil content exceeds the limit, the OCM triggers an alarm and can automatically stop the discharge or activate a recirculation mode to prevent pollution. 1. Understanding Oil in Water Monitoring – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
How it works:
- Sampling: The OCM takes a continuous sample of the effluent from the OWS discharge line. 1. Oily Water Separators – Hints and Tips – Dromon Bureau of Shipping (DBS) – Home www.dromon.com
- Measurement: It uses various technologies, such as infrared (IR) absorption, fluorescence, or light scattering, to measure the oil concentration in the sample. 1. Various technologies used on oil content monitoring equipment – DieselShip dieselship.com
- Comparison and Control: The measured oil content is compared to the set alarm limit (15 ppm). If the limit is exceeded, the OCM activates an alarm and may initiate control actions to stop the discharge or recirculate the water back to the OWS for further treatment. 1. How does an oil in water monitor work? – Rivertrace rivertrace.com2. Oil content meter – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Recording and Data Logging: The OCM also records and logs the oil content data, providing a history of discharges for compliance and reporting purposes. 1. Oil Content Monitor | TPH Monitor | SkimOIL LLC www.skimoil.com
Importance of OCM:
- Environmental Protection: It plays a crucial role in preventing marine pollution by ensuring that only adequately treated water with low oil content is discharged into the sea. 1. Introduction to Bilge Management – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
- Regulatory Compliance: The OCM helps ships comply with MARPOL Annex I regulations on oil discharges, avoiding potential penalties or detentions. 1. Understanding Oil in Water Monitoring – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
- Operational Efficiency: By monitoring oil content in real-time, it allows for immediate corrective action in case of OWS malfunctions or excessive oil discharges, minimizing operational disruptions. 1. Introduction to Bilge Management – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
Types of OCM Technologies:
- Infrared (IR) Absorption: Measures the absorption of infrared light by oil molecules in the water sample. 1. A Comprehensive Guide to Oil in Water Monitoring – Semrad www.semrad.com.au
- Fluorescence: Uses UV light to excite oil molecules, causing them to fluoresce. The intensity of the fluorescence is then measured to determine the oil concentration.
- Light Scattering: Measures the scattering of light caused by oil droplets in the water sample. 1. How does an oil in water monitor work? – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
Maintenance and Calibration:
- Regular Calibration: The OCM needs to be regularly calibrated to ensure its accuracy and reliability in measuring oil content. 1. Getting MARPOL Ready: Calibration of Oil Content Monitors – Rivertrace rivertrace.com
- Cleaning and Maintenance: The sampling system and sensor components require periodic cleaning and maintenance to prevent fouling and ensure accurate readings.
In summary, the Oil Content Discharge Monitor is a vital component of a ship’s pollution prevention system, enabling continuous monitoring and control of oil discharges in compliance with MARPOL regulations. It helps protect the marine environment and ensures responsible ship operations.
What is a vacuum breaker?
A vacuum breaker is a simple safety device designed to prevent the backflow of contaminated water into a potable water system. It works by allowing air to enter the system when a vacuum or negative pressure occurs, thus breaking the siphon effect that could pull contaminated water back into the clean water supply.
1. What is a Vacuum Breaker? Do I Need One? – Aquor Water Systems
2. Atmospheric vacuum breaker – Wikipedia
How it works:
- Normal Operation:
- Under normal operating conditions, water pressure keeps a check valve or a spring-loaded disc closed, preventing air from entering the system. 1. Benefits of Vacuum Breaker Check Valves – DFT® Inc www.dft-valves.com
- Water flows freely in the desired direction.
- Vacuum or Negative Pressure:
- If the water pressure drops or a vacuum occurs in the system, the check valve or disc opens, allowing air to enter through a vent. 1. Vacuum Breaker Basics – An interview with Erich Bernhardt – Kadant Inc. kadant.com
- This breaks the vacuum and prevents any back-siphonage of contaminated water from a connected hose, appliance, or other source. 1. Vacuum breaker – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Applications:
- Plumbing Systems: Vacuum breakers are commonly installed on:
- Hose bibs (outdoor faucets) to prevent backflow from hoses that might be submerged in contaminated water. 1. Cross Connections Program – Rowley Water Department rowleywater.com
- Toilet and urinal flush valves to prevent backflow from the bowl or tank into the water supply. 1. Vacuum breaker – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Irrigation systems to prevent backflow of fertilizers or pesticides into the potable water. 1. Vacuum Breaker Prevents Backflow – Agriculture Solutions www.agriculturesolutions.com
- Marine Applications: On ships, vacuum breakers can be used in various systems where there’s a risk of backflow, such as:
- Freshwater systems connected to shore water supplies.
- Wash-down systems that use seawater.
- Other systems where cross-connections exist between potable and non-potable water sources.
Benefits:
- Prevents Contamination: Protects the potable water supply from backflow contamination, safeguarding public health. 1. What is a Vacuum Breaker? Do I Need One? – Aquor Water Systems www.aquorwatersystems.com
- Simple and Reliable: Relatively simple and inexpensive devices that require minimal maintenance. 1. Using Vacuum Breakers to Prevent Backflow With Garden Hoses – LSU AgCenter www.lsuagcenter.com
Limitations:
- Limited Protection: Vacuum breakers only protect against back-siphonage caused by vacuum or negative pressure. They do not protect against backpressure backflow, which requires a more complex backflow preventer. 1. Vacuum Breakers – Watts www.watts.com
- Not Suitable for All Applications: They are not suitable for high-hazard applications where there’s a risk of backflow due to high pressure or cross-connections with hazardous substances.
In summary, a vacuum breaker is a simple but essential safety device that helps prevent backflow contamination in potable water systems. Its ability to break a vacuum and prevent siphoning ensures the integrity and safety of the water supply.
1. Backflow Prevention 101: Safeguarding Your Water Supply – Woolf Plumbing
2. Backflow Prevention Valve | Vacuum Breaker | Anti-Siphon Valve – YouTube
What is an oil detection probe?
An oil detection probe is a sensor used to detect the presence of oil or hydrocarbons in water or other liquids. It is a crucial component of various systems, including oily-water separators, bilge monitoring systems, and environmental monitoring equipment.
1. Oil, Hydrocarbon Monitoring in Water – YSI
Key Function:
- The oil detection probe continuously monitors the liquid it is immersed in, looking for traces of oil or hydrocarbons.
- When oil is detected, it triggers an alarm or signal, alerting the operator to potential pollution or contamination. 1. How Oil Detection Sensors Work – Oil Alert www.oil-alert.com
Types of Oil Detection Probes:
- Float Switches: Simple and inexpensive, float switches rely on the buoyancy difference between oil and water. A float rises when oil accumulates on the water surface, triggering a switch and activating an alarm.
- Capacitance Probes: These probes use changes in electrical capacitance to detect the presence of oil. The probe has two electrodes, and the capacitance between them changes when oil comes into contact with the probe, triggering an alarm. 1. Measurement System for Lossy Capacitive Sensors: Application to Edible Oils Quality Assessment – MDPI www.mdpi.com
- Fluorescence Probes: These probes utilize the principle of fluorescence, where certain hydrocarbons emit light when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The probe emits UV light, and a sensor detects the fluorescence emitted by any oil present in the water, triggering an alarm. 1. Fluorescent Probes | Thermo Fisher Scientific – US www.thermofisher.com
- Other Technologies: Other less common types of oil detection probes may use technologies like infrared absorption or acoustic sensing to detect oil.
Applications:
- Oily-Water Separators (OWS): Oil detection probes are often installed in the clean water outlet of OWS systems to monitor the oil content in the treated water and ensure it meets MARPOL discharge limits.
- Bilge Monitoring Systems: Probes can be placed in bilge wells or tanks to detect oil leaks or spills and trigger alarms for early intervention and cleanup.
- Environmental Monitoring: They are used in environmental monitoring systems to detect oil pollution in waterways, harbors, and coastal areas.
- Industrial Applications: Oil detection probes also find applications in various industries, such as wastewater treatment plants and power generation facilities, to monitor for oil contamination in process water. 1. Oil In Water Sensor – Apure Instruments apureinstrument.com
Benefits:
- Early Warning: Oil detection probes provide real-time monitoring and early warning of oil contamination, allowing for prompt corrective action. 1. Oil Spill Detection Using Fluorometric Sensors: Laboratory Validation and Implementation to a FerryBox and a Moored SmartBuoy – Frontiers www.frontiersin.org
- Pollution Prevention: They help prevent oil pollution by ensuring that only adequately treated water is discharged overboard.
- Regulatory Compliance: They assist in complying with MARPOL regulations and other environmental standards regarding oil discharges.
- Safety: Early detection of oil leaks or spills helps prevent slips and falls and reduces fire hazards.
Maintenance:
- Regular cleaning and calibration are essential to ensure the probe’s accuracy and reliability.
- The specific maintenance requirements vary depending on the type of probe and its operating environment.
In summary, an oil detection probe is a crucial sensor that plays a vital role in protecting the marine environment and ensuring the safe and compliant operation of vessels. It helps detect oil contamination, prevent pollution, and promote responsible environmental practices in the maritime industry.