Oily Water Separator

Oily water separator safety devices

1. Test cock

2. Vent cock

3. Drain cock

4. Automatic shutdown valve

5. Relief valve

6. Heating coil

7. Sensing probe

8. Coalescer filter

9. 15 PPM alarm safety

10. Pressure gauge

11. Thermometer

12. Inspection glass on the O/B discharge line

Q: What is the function of siphon tube in OWS?

Its main function is to prevent flooding back of sea water in case of ineffective
overboard valves.
“Siphoning is the pumping effect (without any moving parts) due to
gravitational force by the mass of flowing down water from the top of U shaped
pipe.”
It prevents flooding back sea water into the OWS. With the vacuum valve
opened air will get inside at both end of the U shaped pipe. Thus air will occupy
the empty space and will prevent water to flow back inside the OWS system.

What is Siphon breaker, how it is working?

Siphon breaker is fitted in a 1800 bend pipe and fitted between pressure control
v/v to automatic three way v/v. Height of breaker from OWS top to 1.5 m
above.
Centre of the bend a v/v is fitted which shall be opened position while OWS is
stopped. But in operation mode breaker v/v will be shut. In case over board
delivery valve is not sealing properly, water will leak & enter inside. If a
vacuum breaker is provided air is let inside the pipe and the water level drops
away from the “U” loop on both side and preventing siphoning.

Q: What is time frame for OWS to detect 15 ppm alarm and operate 3 way
valves or pump stop?
Answer: 5 second for detection and 20 seconds for valve operation or pump
stop.

Q: OWS performance has fallen off what may be the reason?

Ans: OWS coalesce filter performance may fall off due to;
 1. Expire life time.
2. Foreign particles and dust in the coalesce filter.
3. Pumping out cleaning chemicals through the device.

Q: What are the data recorded in OWS monitor panel?

Ans: Time, date, alarm status and operating status of the 15 ppm bilge separator.
The recording device should data at least 18 months.

Q: Why heating coils is provided in some designs of OWS?

Ans: High viscous oily water mixture may clog the filter and at the same time it
will be difficult to separate oil and water by their higher density.

Question: How level sensing probe of OWS works?

Answer: Level is measured by the variation of capacitance of oil and water
which alters dielectric strength. As the level goes down the dielectric strength
alters and this is used to imbalance a wheat stone bridge. The signal from wheat
stone bride is used to open oil discharge diaphragm valve.

Q: What are the maintenances of Oily water separator?

Ans:
1. Routine inspection and maintenance of the system.
2. Remove internal contaminants
3. The prevention of corrosion by the removal of sludge and placing
anodes.
4. Keep the bilge pump in operational.
5. Clean and renew the coalesce filter as per maker instruction.
6. Regularly test the automatic 15- PPM stopping device, 3way valve
operation and alarm system.
 7. Test the oil content monitoring device performance by shore
technician or by approved authority.
8. Never drain the OWS after operation and keep empty.
9. Keep the line filters and strainers in the system cleaned.
10.Keep the bilge wells oil free as much as possible.

Q: Why OWS should not be drained after use?

Ans: If the OWS drained the separated oil may adhere to the coalescer filter and
the filter may become inoperative or performance may fall off. Rather it should
be flushed with clean water.

Why OWS need flushing during start up?

1. To get wet of the catch-plates

2. To prevent sticky oil

Coalescer ~ to form large oil droplets ( steel wire mesh) for 15 ppm requirement

Good separation ~

1. Increase temperature
2. Oil density less
3. Pressure less ( 2 bar)
4. Flow less
5. Increase Separation time
Other function of siphone:

1. Slow discharge
2. Back pressure provided
3. Pumping effect

Operational management of OWS

1. Before operation separator must be filled clean water
2. 15 PPM alarm and automatic shut down checked and should be in
good working order
3. Monitoring and control equipment should be cleaned otherwise it may
cause false alarm
4. Purge off air from the top of the separator through vent cock at the start
up and at regular interval to ensure that oil-water interface is present at
the top of the separator
5. Heat up the effluent for better separation
6. Oil from the collecting space should be drained periodically
7. Check test cock to observe bilge condition
8. Check pump pressure
9. Check differential pressure between two stages for checking filter
efficiency
10. Continuous supervision of OWS performance is carried out
11. In case when the OWS is run for a long time, keep a track on the
heater for overheating of coils. If the separator is overheated to high
extent, there may be some production of inflammable gases inside.
12. After operation clean with F.W

Regular maintenance of oily water separator

1. Routine attention is needed to maintain satisfactory performance.
 2. Alarm, function of 3-way valve, automatic shutdown must be checked
every week 3
. Pumps and valves should be in good working condition
4. Automatic air release valve should be in good order
5. Carry out inspection for corrosion and pitting
6. Check condition and renew anti- corrosive coating
7. Heating coil must be checked at regular interval
8. Remove internal contaminants
9. Dish plate, baffles and filter should be cleaned
10. Clean oil sensing probe
11. Clean syphonic breaker, it can’t be chocked
12. Regular maintenance of pump to be carried out
13. OWS performance test must be carried out once a month at least
14. The accuracy of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarms should be checked at IOPP
Certificate renewal surveys according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Alternatively, the unit may be replaced by a calibrated 15 ppm Bilge
Alarm. The calibration certificate for the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm, certifying
date of last calibration check, should be retained onboard for inspection
purposes. The accuracy checks can only be done by the manufacturer or
persons authorized by the manufacturer.

Attachment of OWS:
1. Photocopy of MARPOL Certificate
2. Original oil disposal to shore certificate
3. Bilge & sludge piping diagram
4. USCG warning
5. Procedure for operating OWS
6. Procedure for 15 ppm alarm testing
 7. OWS crew training record
8. Alarm & condition record (month)

Maintenance of OWS:

1. Oil sensor probe cleaning

2. Catch-plate cleaning
3. Test cock line clear
4. Coalescer check & cleaning’
5. Apply anti-corrosive coating
6. OCM check & test

Starting Procedure:
1. Take permission for C/E
2. Get location from bridge
3. Bilge tank sounding noted
4. OCM checked & tested
5. Overboard v/v unlocked and line set-up
6. Close drain v/v, taking suction SW by bilge pump
7. Open vents to purge air in ows
8. Switch on OCM and flush with fresh water
9. Open steam and maintain 60’C
10. OCM flushing line change over to sampling line
11. Change over pump suction seawater to bilge from Tk.
12. Regular checking of test cock
13. Pump pressure & filter diff. pressure
14. Flush the system with SW, OCM with fresh water
15. Bilge Tk sounding, calculate discharge bilge
16. ORB record

WHY VENT VALVE IS FITTED?

Vent valve is the automatic float-controlled release valve.

1. To purge off air from the top of the separator at the start up and at regular
interval to ensure that oil-water interface is present at the top of the separator
2. If air is present in top of the separator the function of sensing probe will be
affected.

WHY BAFFLES ARE FITTED?

1. They collect oil droplets from dish plates and funnel up to the oil separation
space

2. They provide definite path for the oily water coming from the upper chamber
thus they prevent mixing up.

3. They are arranged to make separation between 1st stage upper and lower
chamber

WHY TEST COCK IS FITTED?

1. In case of malfunction of sensing probe test cock is fitted below the sensing
probe which will help to identify any abnormalities and allow to rectify them
during operation.

Why we fill OWS with clean water before start OWS

• To make interface with oil that will come up

• To wet the catch plate and coalescer otherwise oil may stack in that position

Which pump used for oily water separator?

1. Positive displacement pump

2. Slow running double vane

3. Screw reciprocating 4. Gear pump are switchable for OWS

Why centrifugal pump is not suitable for OWS?

1. Centrifugal pump produce large quantity of small droplets of oil and it mixes
up oil and water which is difficult to separate
2. To purge off air from top of the separator in case of malfunction of the
automatic air release valve.

3. To detect performance of separator in different stages

4. To drain oil from 1st and 2nd stage if oil level is increased

5. To check presence of sea water while flushing

6. To collect the sample for visual inspection.

Why we use positive displacement pump

1. To handle with high viscous liquid

2. Positive and confirm discharge

3. Does not churn the water into an emulsification

Syphonic breaker
1. Increases staying time of oil water to OWS

2. Allow slow discharge

3. When 15 alarm is activated that time it works as a vacuum breake

OIL RECORD BOOK

SOURCE: MEPC 107(49)
General Guidance for ORB
This guidance only includes sections C to I.
Operations should be recorded in chronological order as they have been
executed on board.
Dates should be entered in dd/mm/yyyy format, e.g. 16-MAR-2009.
Incineration or landing ashore of oily garbage and used filters should be
recorded in the Garbage Record Book only.
All Entries are to be made and signed by the officer or officers in charge of the
operations concerned and each completed page shall be signed by the master of
the ship.
Do not leave any full lines empty between successive entries.
If a wrong entry has been recorded in the Oil Record Book (ORB), it should
immediately be struck through with a single line in such a way that the wrong
entry is still legible. The wrong entry should be signed and dated, with the new
corrected entry following.
Tank nomenclature should be recorded as per the format noted within the
International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPPC).
Recording of quantities retained in bilge water holding tanks listed under the
IOPPC (section 3.3) is voluntary and not required by the Convention.
The recording of general maintenance of items pertaining to the OWS remains
voluntary and is not required to be recorded in the ORB.

LIST OF ITEMS TO BE RECORDED

PART I - Machinery Space Operations

(A) BALLASTING OR CLEANING OF OIL FUEL TANKS

 1. Identity of tank(s) ballasted.
2. Whether cleaned since they last contained oil and, if not, type of oil
previously carried.
3. Cleaning process:

1. position of ship and time at the start and completion of cleaning;

2. Identify tank(s) in which one or another method has been employed (rinsing
through, steaming, cleaning with chemicals; type and quantity of chemicals
used, in m3);
3. Identity of tank(s) into which cleaning water was transferred and the quantity
in m3.

4. Ballasting:
1. position of ship and time at start and end of ballasting;
2. Quantity of ballast if tanks are not cleaned, in m3.
(B) DISCHARGE OF DIRTY BALLAST OR CLEANING WATER FROM
OIL FUEL TANKS REFERRED
TO UNDER SECTION (A)

4. Identity of tank(s).
5. position of ship at start of discharge.
6. Position of ship on completion of discharge.
8. Ship’s speed(s) during discharge.

9 Method of discharge:
1. Through 15 ppm equipment;
2. To reception facilities.
10 Quantity discharged, in m3,

(C) COLLECTION, TRANSFER AND DISPOSAL OF OIL RESIDUES

(SLUDGE AND OTHER OIL RESIDUES)

11. Collection of oil residues (sludge). Quantities of oil residues (sludge)

retained on board. The quantity should be recorded weekly

11 (this means that the quantity must be recorded once a week even if the
voyage lasts more than one week):
1. identities of tank(s)
2. capacity of tank(s) in m3,
3. total quantity of retention in m3, gals.
4. quantity of residue collected by manual operation in m3.
(Operator initiated manual collections where oil residue (sludge) is transferred
into the oil residue (sludge) holding tank(s).)

12. Methods of transfer or disposal of oil residues (sludge). State quantity of oil
residues transferred or disposed of, the tank(s) emptied and the quantity of
contents retained in m3

.1 To reception facilities (identify port)

.2 To another (other) tank(s) (indicate tank(s) and the total content of tank(s));
.3 incinerated (indicates total time of operation with time of start and stop);
.4 other method (state which).

(D) NON-AUTOMATIC STARTING OF DISCHARGE OVERBOARD,

TRANSFER OR DISPOSAL OTHERWISE OF BILGE WATER WHICH HAS
ACCUMULATED IN MACHINERY SPACES
13 Quantity discharged, transferred or disposed of, in m3
14. Time of discharge, transfer or disposal (start and stop).
15 Method of discharge, transfer, or disposal:
.1 Through 15 ppm equipment (state position at start and end);
.2 To reception facilities (identify port);
.3 to slop tank or holding tank or other tank(s) (indicate tank(s); state quantity
retained in tank(s), in m3

(E) AUTOMATIC STARTING OF DISCHARGE OVERBOARD,

TRANSFER OR DISPOSAL OTHERWISE OF BILGE WATER WHICH HAS
ACCUMULATED IN MACHINERY SPACES

16. Time and position of ship at which the system has been put into automatic
mode of operation for discharge overboard, through 15 ppm equipment.
17 .Time when the system has been put into automatic mode of operation for
transfer of bilge water to holding tank (identify tank).
18 .Time when the system has been put into manual operation.

(F) CONDITION OF THE OIL FILTERING EQUIPMENT

19.Time of system failure.
20. Time when system has been made operational.
21. Reasons for failure.

(G) ACCIDENTAL OR OTHER EXCEPTIONAL DISCHARGES OF OIL

22.Time of occurrence.
23. Place or position of ship at time of occurrence.
24. Approximate quantity and type of oil.
25. Circumstances of discharge or escape, the reasons there for and general
remarks.

(H) BUNKERING OF FUEL OR BULK LUBRICATING OIL

26 Bunkering:
1. Place of bunkering.
2. Time of bunkering.
3. Type and quantity of fuel oil and identity of tank(s) (state quantity added, in
tons, m3., and total content of tank(s)). .
4 Type and quantity of lubricating oil and identity of tank(s) (state quantity
added, in tons, m3, and total content of tank(s)).

Q: Who should fill the ORB and sign it?

Each Completed operation shall be entered and signed by the officer/person or
officers/persons in charge of the operations concerned and each completed page
shall be signed by the master of the ship

Q: What is to be done after a wrong entry?

Do not leave any full lines empty between successive entries. If a wrong entry
has been recorded in the Oil Record Book (ORB), it should immediately be
struck through with a single line in such a way that the wrong entry is still
legible. The wrong entry should be signed and dated, with the new corrected
entry following.

For Tanker:
Vessel should be at least 50 miles from the nearest land
Any instantaneous discharge should not exceed more than 30 ltrs/nautical mile
Total oil residue discharge less than 1/15000 of the product carried
Total oil residue discharged less than 1/30000 of the product carried
The tanker has in operation an ODMCS/ODME and a slop tank arrangement
Regulation 14:
Oil Filtering Equipment Vessels above 400 GT and less than 1000 GT shall
have an oil filtering equipment
 Approved by the Administration
 Will ensure that any oily mixture discharged into the sea after passing through
the equipment has an oil content not exceeding 15 ppm. Vessels above 1000 GT
shall have an oil filtering equipment
 In addition to the above, shall be provided with alarm arrangements to
indicate when the level cannot be maintained.
 Also arrangements to ensure that any discharge of oily mixture is
automatically stopped when the oil content of the effluent exceeds 15 ppm.
Discharge from Machinery spaces: In special Areas : (Regulation 15)
 The ship proceeding is en route
 The oily mixture is processed through an oil filtering system
 The oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15ppm.
 When the vessel is in the special area the oil filtering system apart from
having an alarm when the 15ppm cannot be maintained shall also be of a design
where the oil filtering system shall stop automatically when the oil effluent
exceeds 15ppm
 Oily mixtures do not originate from the cargo pump room bilges in case of oil
tankers
 Oily mixtures in case of oil tankers is not mixed with oil cargo residues
Outside special Area’s: (Regulation 15)
 The ship proceeding is en route
 The oily mixture is processed through an oil filtering system
 The oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15ppm.
 Oily mixtures do not originate from the cargo pump room bilges in case of oil
tankers
 Oily mixtures in case of oil tankers is not mixed with oil cargo residues