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NAVSEA Tests Environmentally Friendly Oil Separator

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090529-15
Release Date: 5/29/2009 3:12:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Engineers from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division-Ship Systems Engineering Station in Philadelphia completed certification inspections of the new VS-50 oil water separator (OWS) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

VS-50 OWS is a waste-water processing system that will begin operational testing aboard the carrier in June to increase operational efficiency and reduce maintenance expenses. The older C-50 systems also have significant repair costs aboard aircraft carriers and amphibious ships, ranging from $80,000 to $250,000. Through its
"push-thru system" design, the VS-50 OWS should correct the material and design issues associated with current models C-50 and C-50/RF01.

The VS-50 model also incorporates a variable speed operation, increasing the retention time in the gravity separator, which allows for better separation of oily waste water. In place of antiquated rotary relay technology, this new model also uses a programmable logic controller providing diagnostic and operational status indicators for easier operation.

With waste-water processing systems, oily waste water is treated to mandated standards and discharged into the ocean. Water that cannot be safely discharged is retained in a ship's bilge and/or holding tanks until the ship returns to port.

"We tested the VS-50 aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1)," said Holly Nestle, NAVSEA Oil Pollution Abatement Engineering Manager. "After more than 5 years and processing more than 10,000,000 gallons of oily waste water, the VS-50 is still in excellent operational condition. This reflects NAVSEA's commitment to preserving and protecting the environment as a regular part of our mission."

Following initial operational testing next month, evaluations on the VS-50 OWS installed aboard Vinson will continue for one year to determine if the system can process the carrier's oily waste generation rate while meeting the Navy-mandated discharge limit of 15 parts per million worldwide.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.