OIL-WATER SEPARATION AND THE IMCO PERFORMANCE TEST SPECIFICATION FOR SEPARATORS

Oil-water separator performance is discussed in terms of the IMCO test specification. The salient points of the specification, the test rig, and test sequence are presented. Analytical results obtained for oil contents of shipboard samples of bilge and fuel-tank ballast water are given to show the typical range of oil content likely to be encountered in practice. There follows a discussion of the performance results of separators applied to these oil contents both in ships and in the laboratory. Separators in both these situations fall short of the IMCO requirements of less than 100 ppm oil in the final effluent. The general properties of dispersions and problems of separation are then discussed and the reasons for the poor performance given. The results of controlled assessment of separators to the IMCO test specification are also included, confirming the presence of secondary dispersions produced by the pumps and that gravity separators of themselves cannot meet IMCO requirements. The need for secondary coalescers and filters to deal with the secondary dispersions is demonstrated and the success of suitably designed devices recorded. Finally, overall conclusions are reached regarding current technology and the demands of the IMCO test specifications. Order from: BSRA as No. 47,343.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03093948
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Marine Engineers

  Memorial Building, 76 Mark Lane
  London EC3R 7JN,   England 
• Authors:
  • Cormack, D
  • Parker, H
  • Walsh, T
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 17 p.
• Serial:
  • Institute of Marine Engineers Transactions
  • Volume: 89
  • ISSN: 0309-3948

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ballast (Ships); Bilges; Coalescers; Oil filters; Petroleum refining; Pollution; Regulations
• Identifier Terms: International Maritime Consultative organization
• Uncontrolled Terms: Oil separators
• Old TRIS Terms: Bilge water treatment; Imco pollution regulations
• Subject Areas: Environment; Law; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172958
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Report/Paper Numbers: Series A, Part 1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 12 1978 12:00AM