Situation / Problem
Stringent laws prevent ships from dumping waste at sea, all waste has to be returned to its point of origin this resulted in at-sea transfer of waste to remain operational. However, due to limitations on space standard systems were not possible.
Solution
Unique horizontal Glosfume ceramic filter system with sorbent addition.
Benefits
System operating in standard deck height saving capex and reworks. Reduced waste to a third of the original size whilst harnessing the energy from waste.
Results
The hot gas filter installation is Glosfume’s first ceramic filter to be used at sea. Stringent laws prevent ships from dumping waste at sea, all waste has to be returned to its point of origin. To reduce the volume of waste returned the Royal Navy were one of the first to install an PyTEC containerised Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System designed by QinetiQ and a Glosfume ceramic filter with sorbent addition onboard a ship. The ceramic filter unit was designed to fit the tight space between decks resulting in a filter unit containing 160 elements mounted horizontally. All waste materials discharged from the pyrolyser and hot gas filter are stored in a standard Navy pail for disposal when back at home port.
Extensive testing on land was carried out by QinetiQ before fitting the complete pyrolysis and ceramic filter unit into HMS Ocean. Installation involved cutting a large hole in the ship’s side. The unit is fully IED (WID) compliant and passed by Lloyd’s.
HMS Ocean has now been de-commissioned by the Royal Navy and sold to Brazil to become the PHM Altântico.
