| Bilge water accumulates in recesses and bilges onboard ships. Depending on the type of design and age, ships can generate large volumes of bilge water. This wastewater is a mixture of fresh water and seawater containing various contaminants. Typical contaminants may include fuels, oils, greases, detergents, solvents, rusts, paints, insulation material and a wide variety of other substances. Bilge water is a very challenging wastewater to treat due to large variations in production rates and the complex nature of the wastes in solution.; Membrane based Oily Water Separators (OWS) are being increasingly used throughout the world for the treatment of oily wastewater. This work focused on two areas of study: (1) Effects of selected components found in bilge water on membrane performance, and (2) Pilot scale testing using a Microfiltration/Ultrafiltration (MF/UF) hybrid system. The studies are aimed at determining suitable membrane materials and optimum operating conditions such as trans-membrane pressure (TMP) and backflushing for permeate flux enhancement. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
