Oily Water Separators Are Key to Keeping Oceans and Waterways Free From Oily Waste

Oily wastes are byproducts of all operating ocean-going vessels. Around the globe, these vessels generate millions of tons of oily waste annually. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, oily bilgewater is the mixture of water, oily fluids, lubricants, grease, cleaning fluids, and other wastes that accumulate in the lowest part of a vessel from a variety of sources, including engines (and other parts of the propulsion system), piping, and other mechanical and operational sources found throughout the machinery spaces of a vessel. 

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The Importance of the Galapagos Islands 

The Galapagos Islands are a unique and fragile ecosystem widely known for biodiversity and evolutionary research. The islands' isolation and harsh environment have led to the evolution of distinct species found nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, the Galapagos Islands have played a crucial role in developing modern evolutionary theory, and they continue to be an important site for scientific research. The collaboration of science and ecotourism requires managed conservation efforts to ensure the islands and their biodiverse ecology remain a refuge for unique animal and plant species for generations to come.

What is an oily water separator, and how does it benefit your vessel?

This type of water treatment system removes oil particles from bilge water. Oily water separators that adhere to  the IMO MEPC standards and have been specifically designed to be used in machinery space bilges of ships, making a system of this caliber an essential component of your vessel—especially if you enjoy avoiding fines.

To discharge water safely from your ship, you must comply with all maritime regulations; this is where an oily water separator comes in. For example, current maritime rules state that the oil content in discharged water must be less than 15 ppm. So to stay in compliance and avoid fines, you need a system to treat your oily bilge water to get to that standard before discharging.

Your oily water separator is an integral part of your vessel’s bilge water treatment system. Consisting of a separator unit, a filter unit, and an oil level monitoring-and-controlling unit, your separator will work to coalesce, filter, and remove impurities and oil from your bilge water. The result? You’ll be able to safely discharge water overboard as long as the oil content is within appropriate limits. 

That all sounds great, but what happens if your oily water separator malfunctions or turns faulty? At the very least, you could be at risk of breaching International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines, which could, in turn, put you at risk for steep fines. Maritime regulations dictate that discharged water must have an oil content of less than 15 ppm. Your oily water separator must be working well in order to help you meet that goal and avoid getting in trouble with your local authorities. 

If you enjoy avoiding fines and being in charge of a vessel that’s running like clockwork, it’s well worth investing in oily water separator maintenance. One key part of this maintenance is replacing spare parts on time. This can get confusing, but, fortunately, the experts at H2O have your back. Here’s what you need to know about spare parts and replacement schedules for your oily water separator.

An oily water separator is a component of your vessel’s bilge water treatment system responsible for removing oil from bilge water. This type of system is crucial for the function of your vessel—and crucial for your bottom line because failing to discharge water safely can result in steep fines. 

Maritime regulations state that the oil content of your discharged water must be less than 15 ppm. Your oily water separator can help you achieve that goal, but only if it’s up to the task and properly sized for your system and your needs.

Wondering what an oily water separator is and how it benefits your vessel?

This type of water treatment system is responsible for removing oil particles from bilge water. Oily water separators that adhere to the IMO MEPC standards are specifically designed to be used in machinery space bilges of ships, making a system of this caliber an essential component of your vessel—especially if you enjoy avoiding fines. 

In order to discharge water safely from your ship, you’ll need to comply with all maritime regulations for doing so. This is where an oily water separator comes in. Current maritime regulations state that the oil content in discharged water must be less than 15 ppm. In order to stay in compliance and avoid fines, you need a system to treat your oily bilge water to get to that standard before discharging.

H2O LLC — an innovative provider of top-tier potable water, electrochlorination, and sewage treatment systems for marine vessels and offshore oil and gas platforms — today announced that it has acquired the assets of BOSS Separators, oily water separators designed for the marine industry, from Recovered Energy, Inc. The BOSS Separators brand will remain intact and become a product of H2O LLC.