Oil discharge monitoring equipment

Oil discharge monitoring equipment (ODME) is based on a measurement of oil content in the ballast and slop water, to measure conformance with regulations. ^[1] The apparatus is equipped with a GPS, data recording functionality, an oil content meter and a flow meter. ^[2] By use of data interpretation, a computing unit will be able to allow the discharge to continue or it will stop it using a valve outside the deck. ^[2]

Operating principle

A sample point on the discharge line allows for the analyzer to determine the oil content of the ballast now and slop water in PPM. ^[2] The analyzer is self-maintaining by periodical cleansings with fresh water, and therefore requires a minimum of active maintenance from the crew. ^[2] The results of the analyzer are sent to a computer, which determines whether the oil content values are to result in overboard discharge or not. ^[2] The valves that direct the ballast water either over board or to slop tank are controlled by the integrated computer, and a GPS signal further automates the process by including special areas and completes the required input for the Oil Record Book. ^[2]

All oil tankers with a gross tonnage of larger than 150 must have efficient Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment on board. ^{[3] [4]}

The oily discharge is sent out to sea through a pump. ^[5] The oily mixture has to pass through a series of sensors to determine whether it is acceptable to be sent to the discharge pipe. ^[6]

Based on regulations, the following values must be recorded by the system: ^[3]

• Date and time of the discharge
• Location of the ship
• Oil content of the discharge in ppm
• Total quantity discharged
• Discharge rate

All records of Oil Detection Monitoring Equipment must be stored on board ships for no less than 3 years. ^[3]

Oil Discharge Monitoring systems today consist of a computing unit that is installed in the cargo control room. The computer unit control and receives data from other ODME components. ^[7]

ODME systems also have an analyzing unit that contains the Oil content meter, a fresh water valve for cleaning purposes, and a pressure transmitter that monitors the sample flow through the measuring cell. ^[7]

See also

• Marpol 73/78  – International marine environmental convention
• Marpol Annex I  – 1983 convention on ocean pollution
• Oily water separators  – Device to separate oil and waterPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Oily water separator (marine)  – Marine piece of equipment that separates oil and water mixturesPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Oil Content Meter  – Device for monitoring oil levels in shipboard water dischargesPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Magic Pipe  – Trick in a ship's waste-handling equipment to circumvent pollution regulations
• IMO  – Specialized agency of the United Nations
• Port Reception Facilities  – Facilities in ports for receiving waste and residues from shipsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

References

1. "VAFInstruments | Home of VAF Instruments | Products | Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment". www.vaf.nl. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
2. "ODME Oil Discharge Monitoring Systems and Equipment". www.insatechmarine.com. Retrieved 2015-06-04.
3. "What is Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System (ODMCS) on Ship?". 2011-02-18. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
4. "Regulation 31 - Oil discharge monitoring and control system". www.marpoltraining.com. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
5. "Oil in water, oil water analyzer, oil/water monitors by Arjay Engineering". www.arjayeng.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
6. Germany, KSB AG, Frankenthal. "ODME S-3000". Archived from the original on 2015-07-23. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
7. www.merreklam.se, Merreklam. "ODME 2005 - Oil Discharge Monitor | Monitoring and control systems | Products | JOWA AB". www.jowa.se. Retrieved 2015-07-23.