ULTRA-SEP Bilge Water Separator

The Compass ULTRA-SEP compast bilge water separator is a dual-stage bilge water separation system. The first stage utilizes a system-generated vacuum, differential specific gravity, and a high-efficiency two-stage coalescer for the removal of the majority of free oil and dirt separation. The second stage consists of a pre-polishing five-micron depth filter to remove trace solids and small oil droplets, followed by SPIR-O-LATOR MEMBRANES to separate and remove emulsified oils, along with the remaining minute solids and entrained air from bilge water. The system is designed for continuous and/or intermittent operation. After the system has been started, it is capable of automatic operation.

The innovative design of the Compass Water Solutions Bilge Water Separator eliminates the need for flocculants and chemical additives to remove the emulsified oily bilge water.

Stage 1:  HELI-SEP
The bilge water to be processed is pulled from the bilge or holding tank by the Process Pump. The water is pulled through a foot valve (customer-supplied) and a basket strainer to remove large solids and maintain prime. The influent then enters the separator near the bottom of the solids/sludge-collecting chamber. Most of the free oil separates from the influent immediately due to differences in specific gravity and reduced flow velocity within the separator.

The flow travels upward through the separating media matrix. This path maximizes contact with the separating media, enhancing oil coalescence. The flow exits the top of the separating media matrix, where the oil continues to flow upwards to the top of the separator’s oil-collecting chamber due to the difference in specific gravity. The influent, less the majority of the free oil, is then drawn downward by the Process Pump’s vacuum through the polishing pack. The polishing pack removes the small oil droplets.

When sufficient oil has been collected in the oil-collecting chamber, the oil-sensing probes at the top of the separator deactivate the Process Pump and open the clean-water inlet valve. Pressurized water, seawater, or freshwater (warm water is recommended if available; 37.8ºC/100ºF maximum) enters the separator from the bottom and displaces the accumulated oil in the collection chamber at the top of the HELI-SEP, which is discharged through the oil discharge line. After the accumulated oil has been discharged and the oil sensing probe is again immersed in water, the separator returns to the separating mode. The semi-cleaned influent, minus most of the free oil but with some emulsified oil, is sucked through the HELI-SEP into the Process Pump.

Stage 2:  SPIR-O-LATORS

The Process Pump pressurizes the influent for processing through the process Filter (1) first, and then the SPIR-O-LATOR (2).

The Cartridge Filter (1) removes suspended solids approximately 5 microns and larger from the flow. Then this semi-cleaned influent is supplied to the SPIR-O-LATOR (2) at a high velocity.

Water, salts, and detergents are forced through the SPIR-O-LATOR (2) by back pressure created by the system and the system’s operating pressure control valve, while oils and other waste larger than or greater than .01 micron are rejected (3). The portion of the influent forced through the SPIR-O-LATOR (2) is referred to as the processed water (clean water or permeate) (4), while the remainder is referred to as the concentrate or reject (3). The processed water (4) is discharged overboard if the oil content is below 15 PPM.

The system is constantly replenished by the influent supplied by the Process Pump. The concentrate (3) with the rejected oils and waste is split into two streams. The majority of this concentrate stream is returned to the Cartridge Filter inlet for de-oiling and polishing before being fed to the Process Pump inlet for reprocessing through the SPIR-O-LATOR. A small portion of this concentrate stream is returned to the bilge as (Bleed), which is required to minimize concentration within the loop. This reject (3) reprocessing maximizes the process water output by minimizing fouling because the higher velocity across the surface of the membrane shears off the excess oils and waste from the surface of the SPIR-O-LATOR.

The Compass ULTRA-SEP is equipped with additional features and functions to maintain optimum operating conditions. The process water, concentrate, and concentrate bleed to bilge flows are digital valves factory set, and the proper setting is identified on the tag. Liquid-filled differential pressure gauges are provided and identified to help monitor FILTER (1) and SPIR-O-LATOR (2) operating conditions.

The system is equipped with a Certified MEPC.107 (49) oil content monitor, which continuously monitors the processed water (4) for oil content. If the oil content exceeds the alarm setpoint of 15 PPM (or 5 PPM with an optional content monitor), the water will automatically be redirected back to the bilge holding tank.