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

-------
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.

-------
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.
                             - 2 -

-------
        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
                             - 3 -

-------
        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.

-------
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

-------
    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
                             - 6 -

-------
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
                             - 7 -

-------
     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
                             - 8 -

-------
 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.
                         -  9  -

-------
    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.
                                -  10  -

-------
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.
                            - 11 -

-------
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
                                       - 12 -

-------