EnSolve Biosystems has completed its first European trial of its IMO and USCG approved PetroLiminator® Oil Water Separator. The PetroLiminator 100 was fitted in May of this year aboard United European Car Carrier's M/V Autopremier while dry-docked in Poland. The Autopremier has been operating in Northern European waters, where the OWS has successfully discharged over 12,000 gallons (45m3) of post-treated bilgewater in the first month of operation. UECC's Environmental Projects
Manager, Jeff Argent, stated, "The PetroLiminator has been processing all of the ships' oily bilgewater with little to no maintenance, allowing the Chief Engineer to spend time on other issues. We are extremely excited about this
new technology."
UECC is Europe's leading provider of logistics and sea transportation services for the vehicle manufacturing industry. UECC is so pleased with
the first installation that it is considering retrofitting other ships in its fleet of 20 vessels with the PetroLiminator system.
The PetroLiminator uses a patented biotechnology process to remove oil and other hydrocarbon wastes from ships' bilge water, so it can be safely discharged overboard in environmentally sensitive waters. The system contains safe, non-pathogenic bacteria that actually "eat" the oil, grease, transmission fluid, and other hydrocarbons in the bilge water. The system
can also process and remove many shipboard organic chemicals such as glycols and degreasers.
"This installation shows further acceptance of our technology around the world. We are currently negotiating various distribution agreements with parties in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Northwest," said Richard Penny, EnSolve's manager of maritime operations. "Conventional oil water separators on ships are being replaced due to a heightened worldwide urgency to prevent pollution and protect natural resources."