15 Person Marine Sewage Treatment Plant
The SWCM type marine sewage treatment equipment is an advanced, compact, and highly efficient system designed to meet the most stringent international standards for the prevention of pollution from ships. Utilizing a sophisticated combination of activated sludge, contact oxidation, and the principle of biological membrane technology, this plant effectively digests and breaks down organic pollutants found in vessel wastewater.
This shipboard sewage treatment plant is specifically engineered to treat “black water” (sewage, human body wastes, and toilet wastes) to meet the rigorous effluent standards of IMO MEPC.159(55) , the mandatory “new standard” for all vessels. With the appropriate pre-treatment and correct sizing, it is also highly effective at treating “grey water” (drainage from galleys, showers, and washbasins), ensuring your vessel’s overall environmental compliance.
As a key device for pollution prevention under the revised Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78, the SWCM series provides shipowners and operators with the confidence that their vessel meets the latest regulatory requirements, protecting the marine environment wherever they sail.
Key Features & Benefits:
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✔ IMO MEPC.159(55) Compliant: Designed and tested to meet the IMO’s “new standard” effluent limits for TSS, BOD5, COD, and Coliform bacteria, mandatory for all ships since January 2010.
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✔ Advanced Biological Treatment: Employs a robust three-stage process of activated sludge, contact oxidation, and biological membrane digestion for thorough and reliable pollutant removal.
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✔ Versatile Application: Effectively treats black water from toilets and can treat grey water from galleys and showers with proper system configuration and pre-treatment.
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✔ Comprehensive Capacity Range: Available in models sized to serve crews from as few as 15 persons up to 440 persons, suitable for a wide variety of vessel types.
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✔ Flexible Power Supply: Standardly available for AC380V, 50Hz, 3Φ and AC440V, 60Hz, 3Φ. Custom voltage and frequency configurations are available upon request.
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✔ Globally Certified: Supplied with certification from major classification societies, including EC and CCS.
Technical Specifications & Compliance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Usage | Treating sewage (black water) on board ships, shipyards, or docks. |
| International Standards | IMO Resolution MEPC.159(55), Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78, MEPC.2(VI) |
| Effluent Discharge Standard | TSS: ≤ 35mg/L BOD5: ≤ 25mg/L COD: ≤ 125mg/L Coliform: ≤ 100 per 100ml pH: 6.0 – 8.5 |
| Electricity | Standard: AC380V, 50HZ, 3Φ / AC440V, 60HZ, 3Φ (Customizable) |
| Capacity | From 15 persons to 440 persons |
| Certificate | EC, CCS (Other class certificates available upon request) |
Comparison of International Effluent Standards (mg/l unless noted)
This table highlights how the SWCM system’s compliance with the IMO New Standard ensures your vessel meets the most globally recognized requirements.
| Parameter | IMO Old Standard MEPC.2(VI) | IMO New Standard MEPC.159(55) | USCG Standard | Alaska Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSS (mg/l) | 50 | 35 | 150 | 30 |
| BOD5 (mg/l) | 50 | 25 | NR | 30 |
| COD (mg/l) | NR | 125 | NR | NR |
| Coliform (per 100ml) | 250 | 100 | 200 | 20 |
| pH | 6 – 9 | 6 – 8.5 | NR | 6 – 9 |
| Residual Chlorine (mg/l) | NR | < 0.5 | NR | 10 |
| Type Approval Test Duration | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days | 30 days |
(NR = Not Required)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the difference between “black water” and “grey water” on a ship?
A: Black water refers to wastewater from toilets and urinals, containing human body wastes. This is the primary focus of marine sanitation devices. Grey water is drainage from galleys, showers, baths, and washbasins. While not as heavily polluted as black water, it still contains contaminants. The SWCM plant is designed primarily for black water but can also treat grey water, provided it is pre-treated (e.g., with a grease trap for galley water) and the system capacity is appropriately increased.
Q2: Why is MEPC.159(55) compliance so important for my ship?
A: MEPC.159(55) is the current mandatory standard under MARPOL Annex IV for sewage treatment plants installed on or after 1 January 2010. Compliance is not optional; it is a legal requirement for international vessels. Using an approved, certified plant like the SWCM ensures your vessel passes port state control inspections, avoids detention and fines, and demonstrates your commitment to protecting the marine environment.
Q3: How does the biological treatment process work in this sewage plant?
A: The process uses naturally occurring bacteria to break down waste. It combines three key methods:
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Activated Sludge: Aerobic bacteria in a tank consume organic matter.
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Contact Oxidation: Wastewater passes over media with a attached biological membrane (biofilm) of bacteria, which further digests pollutants.
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Biological Membrane Digestion: The biofilm provides a concentrated zone of treatment.
This multi-stage approach ensures a high level of treatment, resulting in clear, low-pollutant effluent.
Q4: How do I choose the right size (capacity in persons) for my vessel?
A: The required capacity is based on the maximum number of persons your vessel is certified to carry (crew and passengers). You should select a model with a “persons” rating equal to or greater than that number. For example, if your vessel has a total complement of 30, you would need a model rated for at least 30 persons. It is always better to have a small margin of safety. For vessels that also treat grey water, a larger capacity model is typically recommended.
Q5: What certifications (EC, CCS) are available for this marine sewage treatment plant?
A: Our SWCM series is type-approved and can be supplied with certification from major classification societies. This includes EC (European Community) certification and CCS (China Classification Society) certification. Upon request, we can also arrange for certification from other societies such as ABS, DNV, BV, LR, NK, KR, and RINA to meet your vessel’s specific flag state and class requirements.
Q6: What are the effluent limits I can expect from this system?
A: The SWCM is designed to consistently meet the IMO New Standard limits, which are: TSS ≤ 35mg/L, BOD5 ≤ 25mg/L, COD ≤ 125mg/L, and Coliform ≤ 100 per 100ml. This treated effluent is safe for discharge overboard in most regulated areas (subject to local port regulations), ensuring your vessel operates in full environmental compliance.
Attention please: The description was copied from different cooperating manufacturers. The description may be different with the goods, please check with us when order.
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