Membrane Bioreactor

Grey and Black Water Treatment

Wastewater Systems

Leaders in

environmental
solutions for ships
The increased size and number of cruise ships has led to
concerns on the impact of their waste discharges on the
natural environment.

Hamworthy has met the challenge of protecting the

environment by developing a new advanced wastewater
treatment process based on biological degradation and
membrane separation. This process produces the highest
quality discharge without requiring any addition or
generation of chemicals that are hazardous to the
environment or ship operation.
Picture courtesy of P&O Princess Cruises

Effluent quality tests conducted by the US National Sanitary

Foundation on Hamworthys Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
produced results exceeding the most stringent future
legislative pollutant standards envisaged (page 4).

With over 30 years experience in wastewater treatment,

Hamworthy is ready to serve the needs of the marine
industry and the environment.

Typical MBR installation

Proven technology
Hamworthy has over 7000 sewage plants in operation around the world, more than any other manufacturer. The
innovative MBR system is an evolution of the proven sewage treatment plant technology, which allows for the
treatment of grey and black water.

MBR System benefits

IMO and USCG certified.
Compact design saving space and weight.
MBR SYSTEM CONCEPT

Safe, reliable operation with no hazardous gases or

AIR
WATER VAPOUR

chemicals.
Robust construction for long life and low maintenance.

BLACK WATER
GREY WATER
100%

TREATMENT
SYSTEM

AIR

CLEAN
WATER
99.5%

No odour emissions due to biological process.

Complete flexibility with newbuild, conversion and
retrofit options.

SLUDGE AND SCREENINGS

0.5%

Produces 99.5% clean water from grey and black water.

One supplier, one complete system.

CROSS FLOW ULTRAFILTRATION PRINCIPLE

BIOMASS
RETURN

Membrane module
The system utilises cross flow ultrafiltration reducing solids
build up (normally associated with stack plate ultrafiltration)
resulting in no back washing or pressure problems.

CLEAN
WATER
OUT
COMPOSITE
MEMBRANE
TUBES

The system features hard case modules with hollow fibre inner.
Waste flows from in to out and promotes recirculation.

FIBRE REINFORCED
RESIN CASING

BIOMASS
FEED

Sectional membrane module

New market drivers

Regulatory requirements
USCG/IMO Regulations for the quality of black
water discharges.

USCG/EPA indications that grey water discharges

will be regulated and monitored.

NATO navy strategy for environmentally sound

warships.

Indication that discharge consents for offshore

platforms will be aligned with marine standards.

Customer requirements
Meet the likely regulatory requirements for
both new and existing installations.

Maintain an acceptable public image.

Minimisation of size and weight.

Lowest possible total cost of ownership.

Biosolids dewatering.

Nutrient removal.

Effluent discharge quality comparison

Independent test results recorded by the US National Sanitary Foundation show that effluent quality
standards are far in excess of those required by International standards.

Item

Units

USCG

IMO

USCG/Alaska

Hamworthy

33CFR 159 PT1-300

MEPC.2 (vi)

33CFR 159.309

Test Results

Test Duration

10 days

10 days

30 days

31

Suspended Solids

mg/l

150

50 (100 at sea)

30

3.1

BOD5

mg/l

Not required

50

30

2.6

Faecal Coliform

Count/100m

200

250

20

10.6

pH

Not required

Not required

6.0 - 9.0

Within limits

Chlorine

g/l

Not required

As low as
practicable

10.0

Principles of

operation

Wastewater collected in the ships black water tanks (vacuum

Biomass is circulated through membrane modules, returning

collection units) is pumped to an automatic screen press.

the concentrated biomass to the second stage bioreactor. Clean

Sanitary grey water is collected into buffer tanks and fed to

permeate is taken from the membrane modules through flow

the same automatic screen press.

control valves and flow meters, allowing individual monitoring

of each membrane module. A gravity overflow returns excess
biomass to the the first stage bioreactor.

Each MBR includes two bioreactor stages, contained within a

single process tank unit. Both bioreactor stages are fitted with
aerators fed from duty and standby blowers. Wastewater

Permeate is collected from all membrane modules into a tank

passes though the screen press into the first stage bioreactor

and pumped for discharge by duty and standby pumps.

where the active biomass degrades organic material. The active

Isolating valves are provided throughout the system to enable

biomass is pumped through an interstage filter which returns

maintenance of pumps, membrane modules and other

particulate and fibrous material to the screen press.

components without shutdown of the plant.

The filtered biomass is transferred by duty and standby pumps

The system is automated. A turbidity meter constantly monitors

into the second stage bioreactor, free of any fibres which could

the effluent.

cause blockages in the membrane modules.

Screenings return

1st stage
bio-reactor

Transfer pump

Interstage filter

2nd stage
bio-reactor

Black water

Filter press
Grey water

Membrane
system
Blower

Permeate
pump
Permeate tank
Bagged screenings
for incineration

Cross-flow pump

Turbidity
meter

Permeate
overboard

Complete flexibility
Hamworthys team of wastewater treatment specialist are there to help you design your
bespoke system. We have proven track records various build options and markets.

Cruise newbuilding and conversion

Following the successful trials of the pilot plant onboard Sun Princess
a total of eleven vessels in the P&O Princess cruise fleet have been
converted to utilise MBR technology for black and grey water
treatment.

In addition two vessels in the Radisson fleet have been retro-fitted

with MBR units.

Independent testing of the effluent has enabled certification to be

P&O Princess Cruises Sun Princess

issued to allow overboard discharge in Alaskan waters.

Radissons Seven Seas Navigator

Military newbuild
Hamworthy has been contracted to supply advanced MBR wastewater
treatment systems to the MoD for the first six Type 45 destroyers to be
constructed at BAe Marine at Scotstoun and Vosper Thorneycroft at
Porchester. Hamworthy is among the first Tier 1 companies to be
awarded contracts on all six vessels.

Hamworthys MBR wastewater treatment systems, which will handle

both black and grey water, are being fitted in anticipation of more
stringent environmental legislation during the destroyers lifetime.
MoD Type 45 Destroyer

Professional

project management
Assistance will be given to ensure complete project control of vessels and installation
from conception through to operation and service support.

Initial installation survey

Feasibility study to identify all options

Replace or modify existing plant

Supply equipment

Provide/supervise installation

Commissioning/IMO certification assistance

Troubleshooting

Spares and maintenance

Hamworthy Wastewater Systems Limited

Fleets Corner Poole
Dorset BH17 0JT
England

A subsidiary of Hamworthy plc

The manufacturers reserve the right to alter the

specification and data to incorporate improvements
in design. Certified drawings will be issued on request.
All details copyright Hamworthy plc.

ref: HM0045 0904\3

tel: +44(0)1202 662600

fax: +44(0)1202 668793
e-mail: mbr@hamworthy.com
web: www.hamworthy.com/wastesystems