EDISON WATER QUALITY LABORATORY
DECEMBER 1970 VOLUME 1
VESSEL POLLUTION CONTROL
RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
WHY THIS NEWSLETTER?
In this age of the information explosion, when we all
have desks piled high with documents waiting to oe
read, why another publication? Will it also -.
up in that low priority pile?
We hope not. Our purpose is to cut through
the diverse .sources of information on
vessel pollution control and provide
a brief, periodic review of recent
progress and new sources of infor-
mation. Thi:s Newsletter is not
intended to impart detailed
information, but to tell
you what is available
and where to get it.
FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ADMINISTRATION
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VESSEL POLLUTION: THE PROBLEM
The navigable waters of the United States are used by approximately
Lt6,000 documented commercial vessels, 65,000 nondocumented commercial
fishing vessels, 1,500 Federal vessels, and 8 million recreational
watercraft. In addition, about h.0,000 foreign ship entrances are
recorded each year for these waters. Watercraft discharges may
include sanitary wastes, oils, litter, bilge water, ballast waters,
wash waters, chemicals, and a variety of accidental cargo spills.
Some corimercial fishing vessels are now designed as floating
canneries, discharging both canning wastes and the sanitary wastes
of the crew at the site where the vessel is operating.
The many watercraft of all classes which use American waters are
capable of utilizing the water resources in any of our 50 states
and can deposit varying amounts of wastes at any location causing
localized pollution. It is estimated that the total daily waste
discharged from all watercraft approximates the wastes from a
city of one-half million people, such as Buffalo, New York or
San Diego, California. The ubiquity of the problem demands that
its dimensions, sources, and effects be examined and remedies
developed.
Federal assistance will be necessary for the development and
demonstration of treatment and control devices that can handle the
domestic sewage requirements of the various classes of watercraft
that will meet the forthcoming water quality standards to be
developed for vessels.
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The Edison Water Quality Laboratory has been designated as the
Federal Water Quality Administration's national center for
research on controlling pollution caused by wastes from water-
craft. This report describes on-going and completed FWQA research,
development and demonstration projects for controlling waste pol-
lution from watercraft; outlines the problem of pollution from
outboard motors; discusses water quality standards for vessels;
and details proposed research and development needs for controlling
vessel pollution which will be accomplished through grants, con-
tracts, and in-house efforts.
It is our intention by this and subsequent periodic reports to keep
interested parties informed as to our efforts in alleviating
pollution caused by watercraft.
COMPLETED R&D PROJECTS
1. "Collection, Underwater Storage, and Disposal of Pleasurecraft
Wastes", 15020DHE 09/69, by Underwater Storage Inc. and
Silver, Schwartz, Ltd., Joint Venture
A pilot plant was designed, constructed and
operated to show the feasibility of providing
a facility for the collection, storage and
disposal of waste from recreational watercraft.
An on-board holding tank was installed in each
of ten boats for total impoundment of all effluent
and for the connection to a dockside sewage
collection system through a quick-connect coupling.
Each boat was provided with a pump, tank and
macerator. At dockside, each boat holding tank
was pumped directly into a piped collection system.
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The dockside collection system was installed with a
flexible hose connector at each slip for attachment
to the respective boat. The collection system was
installed for gravity flow to an underwater storage
tank fabricated of snythetic rubber, impregnated
with nylon fibers and fastened to the river bed by a
system of patented anchors. The underwater storage
tank received and held the effluent for periodic
discharge to an on-shore pump station to sewage trucks
for delivery to a sewage plant.
Flow meters were installed at the marina for recording
waste flow to the underwater storage tank and amount
extracted from the tank. Samples of waste material
entering and leaving the underwater storage tank were
taken for laboratory analysis.
The project demonstrated that on-board storage of water-
craft waste and subsequent discharge to an underwater
storage tank was effective and economical. This project
showed that discharge of sewage from boats into rivers,
lakes, waterways and estuaries could be eliminated.
2. "Storage of Wastes from Watercraft and Disposal at Shore
Facilities", l£020DHB 03/70, by General Dynamics, Inc.
This program was undertaken to establish the
effectiveness and acceptability of a watercraft
impoundment system in controlling the principal
waste sources, sanitary and galley waste, with disposal
at a shore facility. A demonstration unit was designed,
built, and installed by Electric Boat on a commercial
tugboat, and operationally tested and evaluated under
routine working conditions for a period of two months.
Results of the test data were analyzed, and component
performance and system effectiveness were evaluated.
Equipment and installation costs, as well as system
operation costs, were identified.
Sea water flushing was used for the water closets and
urinal, but water conservation was used in the form of
specially designed sanitary flush control and galley
sink volume control devices to allow the use of a
relatively small (120 gallon capacity) holding tank.
The corrosion-resistant tank was provided with a level
sensing system, an odor controlled vent line, an auto-
matic flushing system, and a high level alarm. Shore-
side transfer of the impounded wastes by suction pump-out
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of the truck via a quick-connect deck fitting was
demonstrated. Solid galley waste was stored in a
specially designed trash compactor.
All components and subsystems performed effectively
and reliably throughout the test phase. The system
was judged simple to operate and required minimal
operating attention and maintenance.
Copies of these final reports can be obtained by writing to:
Planning and Resources Office
Office of Research and Development
Federal Water Quality Administration
Washington, B.C. 202U2
ON-GOING R&D PROJECTS
1. CONTRACTOR: General Electric Company
3198 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101
TITLE OF PROJECT: "Treatment of Watercraft Wastes",
15020DHF
FWQA PROJECT OFFICER: Kurt Jakobson
Chief, Oil and Vessel Pollution
Research Section
Federal Water Quality Administration
Washington, D.C. 202l;2
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: Development of an electrocoagulation
waste treatment system which will be tested aboard a vessel
in both fresh and salt waters. Tests will be performed to
measure changes in hydraulic loading, input conditions, con-
trol parameters, flow schemes and other significant variables.
Capital and operating costs will also be determined. Expected
completion date for this project is March 30> 1971.
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2. CONTRACTOR: Uniroyal, Inc.
Research Center
Wayne, New Jersey 0?U70
TITLE OF PROJECT: "Treatment of Boat Wastes", 15020DGR
FWQA PROJECT OFFICER: Ernie Karvelis
Chief, Biology Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory
Federal Water Quality Administration
Edison, New Jersey 08817
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: A feasibility and demonstration study
for the use of a flexible waste collection and storage system
for a variety of small watercraft where very little space is
available. Economic and installation parameters have also
been completed and the final report is currently under review.
3. GRANTEE: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, New York 12l8l
TITLE OF PROJECT: "Control of Pollution From Outboard
Engine Exhaust", 1J020ENN
FWQA PROJECT OFFICER: Patrick Tobin
Oil and Hazardous Materials
Research Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory
Federal Water Quality Administration
Edison, New Jersey 0881?
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: To determine the output and distribution
of two-cycle outboard engine exhaust products, their effects on
water quality and the potential impact on the biological community.
Work completion date on this project was August 31* 1970. Final
report is now being written.
Lu GRANTEE: Ocean Science & Engineering, Inc.
U90$ Del Ray Avenue
Washington, D.C. 2001U
TITLE OF PROJECT: "R/V ALCOA SEAPROBE Sewage Treatment
Plant", 15020FZS
FWQA PROJECT OFFICER: Leo T. McCarthy, Jr.
Acting Chief, Vessel Pollution Control
Research Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory
Federal Water Quality Administration
Edison, New Jersey 08817
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DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: To demonstrate the effectiveness
of a closed circuit recirculating flush system designed
to preclude any overboard discharge from the sanitary
facilities while the vessel is in port or in restricted
waters. Involved is chemical treatment, separation of
solids and recirculation of sterile flushing liquid.
Project was awarded in October 1970.
For more detailed information concerning on-going vessel pollution
control projects, please contact one of the following:
1. FWQA. Project Officer
or
2. Vessel Pollution Control Research Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory
Federal Water Quality Administration
Edison, New Jersey 08817
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POLLUTION FROM OUTBOARD MOTOR OPERATIONS
Pollution resulting from the operation of outboard engines may
be caused by the basic design of the engine itself and/or by
improper maintenance of the engine.
Outboard motor design. Almost all of the outboard
motors currently in use incorporate a two-cycle
gasoline engine. Unlike the four-cycle engine—
which uses separate piston strokes for intake and
exhaust — the two-cycle engine combines the intake
and exhaust cycle into the ending of the power
stroke and the beginning of the compression stroke.
Upon ignition of the compressed fuel vapor in the
cylinder, the downward power stroke of the piston
places fuel vapor in the crankcase under pressure.
This pressure in turn forces fuel vapor from the
crankcase into the firing portion of the cylinder
through the now open intake port of the cylinder.
Spent gases in the cylinder are at the same time
forced out through the open exhaust port by inflow
of the new fuel vapor. This basic operation is
termed "crankcase scavenging" and requires an air-
tight crankcase to allow the vaporized fuel mixture
in the crankcase to be forced up into the cylinder
by Lhe downward piston stroke.
In the operation explained above, exhausting of some
fresh, unused fuel vapor with the spent material is
unavoidable. However, a greater discharge of pollu-
tants results from the fact that the crankcase must
be airtight and that an opening in it for direct
application of lubricant to the internal moving parts
cannot be permitted. Lubricating oil is therefore pre-
mixed with the fuel supply in a fixed proportion.
The fuel-oil-air mixture is then fed from the fuel
tank to the crankcase. A portion of this mixture con-
denses on the internal parts of the engine and —
since gasoline is more volatile than oil — most of
the gasoline revaporizes leaving a thin film of oil
on the engine parts. This condensate is not burned
since it does not reach the combustion chamber and
eventually trickles down to the bottom of the crank-
case and accumulates as a liquid. Since the process
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is repetitive, this liquid would eventually accumulate
to such a volume that the piston could not operate.
To avoid this condition — known as "hydraulic lock" —
the pool of liquid is vented directly to the air or
water through the exhaust system when it reaches a cer-
tain point.
Because of its operating design, the two-cycle engine
therefore discharges varying amounts of unburned gasoline
and oil directly to the air or water.
Outboard motor maintenance. Operation of an improperly
tuned engine can result in fuel wastage as much as 15
percent greater than those obtained from normal operation
of the same engine in a perfectly tuned condition.
Failure to make necessary replacements — spark plugs,
ignition points, and other fuel system parts — results
in further incomplete fuel combustion, as does a carburetor
which is adjusted to feed a mixture too rich in fuel.
Misproportioning the gasoline-oil fuel mixture can also
result in improper fuel combustion through fouling of
the spark plugs.
For information on the effects and magnitude of pollution from
outboard motors, as well as suggested solutions, the reader
is referred to the references listed below:
1. Aubrey, W. , et al. "Inland Water Pollution by
Recreational Boating", Junior Project No. 08-11, Union
College, Schenectady, New York, March 1970.
2. Dietrick, K. R. "Investigation Into the Pollution of
Water by Two-Stroke Outboard Motors", Gesundheitsingeniew,
196U, 8
3. Eberan-Eberhorst, Robert, "Die Wasserverunreingung durch
den Aussenbordmotor mit Mi sc hung sschmie rung", Motor
Technische Zeitschrift, XXVI, I960.
k. English, J. N., et al. "Pollutional Effects of Outboard
Motor Exhaust: Field Studies", Journal WPCF 35:1121.
5. English, J. N., £t al. "What Does Outboard Motor Exhaust
Contribute to Water?", Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering
Center, January 17, 1961
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6. English, J. N., et al. "Pollutional Effects of
Outboard Motor Exhaust: Laboratory Studies",
Journal WPCF 35:923.
7. Environmental Engineering, Inc., "Effect of Power
Boat Fuel Exhaust on Florida Lakes", distributed
by Marine Exhaust Research Council (BIA).
8. Ferren, W. P. "Outboard's Inefficiency Is a Pollution
Factor", National Fisherman, April 1970.
9. Muratori, A. "How Outboards Contribute to Water Pollution",
The Conservationist, June-July 1968.
10. Pflaum, W., et al. "Der Aussenbordmotorbetrieb und die
Gewasserverschmutung", Motor Technische Zeitschrift,
XHX, March 1968.
11. Snell, Foster D., Inc., "Outboard Motor Tests Using
PetroSave and Kleenzaust Devices", September 20, 1965.
12. Stewart, R., and Howard, H. H. "Water Pollution by
Outboard Motors", The Conservationist, June-July 1968.
13. Stillwell and Gladding, Inc., "Pollution Factors of Two-Cycle
Outboard Marine Engines", October 20, 1969.
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WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1970
On April 3, 1970 this Act became Public Law 91-221; in which
Section 13 was directed at "Control of Sewage from Vessels".
A summary of this law as it concerns vessel pollution is as
follows:
1. As soon as possible after the enactment of
this section, the Secretary of the Interior,
after consultation with the Coast Guard,
and after giving appropriate consideration
to the economic costs involved and within
limits of available technology, shall pro-
mulgate Federal standards of performance
for marine sanitation devices.
2. Initial standards and regulations shall become
effective for new vessels two years after
promulgation; and for existing vessels, five
years after promulgation.
As of this date, Federal standards have not been promulgated.
However, we believe that the regulations established in 1969
by New York State are of interest for guideline purposes:
Parameter Requirements
a. Floating solids; settleable None attributable to sewage
solids
b. Suspended solids Not more than 50 ppm
c. BOD 5-day Not more than 50 ppm
d. Organisms of the coliform group The median MPN value in
any series of samples
shall not be in excess of
70 per 100 ml.
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FWQA RESEARCH NEEDS
FWQA. research activities in the future should be directed at
the following areas:
1. Examine sewage treatment systems for large
vessels — greater than 3£ people. Systems
which may be considered are incineration,
separator/chlorinators, biological systems,
ionizer-oxidizers, reverse osmosis and ultra-
filtration and distillation.
2. Studies to characterize all wastes, including
galley and shower discharges aboard different
sizes and types of vessels.
3. Development of simple performance evaluation tests
to permit the U.S. Coast Guard to have some means
of measuring treatment effectiveness/efficiency
when enforcing the standards promulgated by PL 91-22U.
U. Examine the economics and limitations of existing
sewage treatment devices designed for watercraft.
5>. Determine the degree and effects of pollution
caused by outboard motor operation on different
types of water bodies.
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FWQA PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN WATERCRAFT WASTES POLLUTION CONTROL
R&D PROGRAMS
Headquarters, Washington, P.O.
Dr. David G. Stephen - Assistant Commissioner for Research
and Development
Allen Cywin - Director, Division of Applied Science and Technology
Harold Bernard - Chief, Agricultural and Marine Pollution Control.
Branch
Kurt Jakobson - Chief, Oil and Vessel Pollution Research Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory, Edison, New Jersey
•Richard T. Dewling - Director, Research and Development
Leo T. McCarthy - Acting Chief, Vessel Pollution Control Research
Section
INQUIRIES
Please address all correspondence relating to research for con-
trolling pollution caused by wastes from watercraft to:
Vessel Pollution Research Section Vessel Pollution Research Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory Division of Applied Science & Technology
Federal Water Quality Administration Federal Water Quality Administration
Edison, New Jersey 0881? Washington, D.C. 202U2
or call
Edison:
Commercial telephone number: (201) 5U8-33U7, Ext. 53
FTS telephone number: (201) 8U6-U625
Washington, D.C. ;
Commercial telephone number: (703) $57-7388
FTS telephone number: (703) 557-7388
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