Bilge water separator, Part 1

Failure to observe the correct procedures for discharging engine room bilge water leads to pollution, equipment failure, and in cases of neglect, to heavy fines or imprisonment.

In this course on bilge water separators, we are reminded of our moral and legal obligations to separate oil from bilge water as effectively as possible, and discharge only clean water. We learn that bilge water treatment begins long before the separator, by not causing stable emulsions to be formed, and by separating the oil and water as soon as possible by good practice with bilge holding tanks. We then look at the principles of separation by gravity, coalescing, flocculation and centrifuging, and how a system using centrifugal force operates.

Learning objectives:

• You will recognize the benefits of proper bilge water pre-treatment
• You will recall the mechanisms by which separation of oil and particles from water can be achieved
• You will identify the working principles and main components of a centrifugal bilge separator
• You will recognize conditions in which processed bilge water from machinery spaces may be discharged
• You will identify the special areas under MARPOL Annex 1
• You will identify requirements for the Oil Record Book part one
• You will recognize some tips on how and why creating stable emulsions in bilge water should be avoided