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A step by step guide of how to operate ODME and principle of its operation

Written by Capt Rajeev Jassal on May 31, 2016
106
How to Operate ODME I wrote a brief post about ODME some time back but this post is going to be in detail. More and more companies are now focusing on saving the environment. Oil major do not seek to engage with company that do not consider environmental aspects in their day to day work. So far so that it is not enough nowadays to just fulfil the legal requirements. Everyone wants us to go beyond legal requirements. ODME is one of the equipment which ensures environment compliance on board ships. But there continues to be detention because of ODME non-compliance. These non-compliance are sometime intentional but many times unintentional. Company should focus on developing a safety culture which can take care of intentional non-compliance. But thorough knowledge of the equipment such as ODME is the only way to avoid unintentional non-compliance. This guide can help us to be more aware of ODME by knowing more about it. What is ODME for ? Well if you are reading this, most likely you know what is ODME for. But lets still ask it. Why do we need ODME? Can't we just ban throwing oily mixture overboard and land it with barge. We are concerned about the environment but there are businesses to sustain. Ship owners would argue that they should be allowed to dispose the water part of the oily mixture into the sea ? ODME brings a bala...

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Comments (106)

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  • Ajay solanki June 3, 2016
    Thanx captain for the explaination. That was a good help in understanding working/principle of ODMCS. Made my doubt clear on the topic.
    3

    Rajeev Jassal June 3, 2016
    Happy that I could be of some help to you Ajay. Let me know if you have any question anytime.

    japorms October 16, 2020
    Who do you think operates ODME on the ship?

  • arvind June 6, 2016
    Thanks a lot sir .....I have one query ......how can we rectify pressure sensor sensor under range error in jowa odme ??
    2

    Rajeev Jassal June 9, 2016
    I am not sure what that alarm is for but usually there are 2 alarms related to pressure sensor of ODME. One faulty pressure sensor for which we need to replace pressure sensor. Second the pressure at pressure sensor is either too low or too high. In this case we need to check the line up and if required valves are open.

    Pradeep Pandey June 30, 2016
    Pressure sensor can be individually tested with available pressure calibrator onboard. If still facing problem of under range/low pressure during operation then need to check for cause for abnormalities .

  • Sanchit June 17, 2016
    Thank you very much for the details. I was looking for this.
    0

  • Vikas June 17, 2016
    Thanks
    0

  • Pradeep Pandey June 30, 2016
    Thanks a lot.Appreciate your efforts taken for detailed explanation.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal June 30, 2016
    Glad you liked it..

  • Rajeev Jassal June 30, 2016
    Thanks for reading Vikas
    0

  • Rajeev Jassal June 30, 2016
    Glad it was of some help to you
    0

  • Rahul Gupta July 5, 2016
    Perfect article for clear understanding. I have another request, could you kindly explain if Oily Water Separator and Oil Filtering Equipment are the same thing or not. I have failed to find a reasonable answer or explanation for this online, kindly advise asap. I have my orals next week. Thank you.
    2

    Rajeev Jassal July 5, 2016
    To answer your question in one word, YES they are same as both refers to the same equipment mentioned in MARPOL Annex 1, Reg 14. In early days when the requirement to have such equipment came in force (in 1972 or so) There was a slight difference in both of these terms. Separating was meant for equipment which generated effluent from 0-100 ppm. Filtering equipment were the equipments which generated effluent from 0-15 ppm (See para 2 of preamble of IMO Res A 393(X) http://imo.udhb.gov.tr/dosyam/EKLER/A.393(X).pdf ). This most likely was the time when there were requirements for 100 ppm as well as 15 ppm but this is not applicable anymore and both these terms are used as one. Let me know if you need any other information anytime Rahul. All the best for your Orals.

    Rahul Gupta July 5, 2016
    This is astonishing, thank you so much, load off my mind. Best wishes to you. Really appreciate your help :)

  • Rs gill July 7, 2016
    The recommended settling time is about 36 hours as per the INTERTANKO " A Guide for Correct. Entries in the Oil Record Book" also one should always keep atleast 1m sounding of water at the bottom of the tank. A well written article.
    2

    Rajeev Jassal July 12, 2016
    Thanks for correcting me. I have amended that accordingly.

    Yudi April 23, 2019
    Hello sir. Is it mandatory to keep at least 1 m sounding of water at the bottom of the tank while discharging slops via ODME ? If yes, where has this requirement/ recommendation/ guidance been mentioned ?

  • sagar kumar July 14, 2016
    Thanks sir nice article. Please consider to write on COP's and stripping pump .
    1

    Rajeev Jassal July 14, 2016
    Glad you liked it Sagar.. I will write on COPs in near future..

  • JOTHIVEL July 16, 2016
    Good effort captain , pls keep up this like this article's all seafarer will be educated hope it will reach most of our seafarer's.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal July 16, 2016
    Thanks Jothivel..And soon we will try to make every seafarer a part of this by getting their knowledge on this platform and learning from them.

  • shishir shekhar August 3, 2016
    dear sir, your articles have been very simple and easy to understand. They all have been a great help. Can you also write about the tank cleaning operations on crude oil tankers prior readying her for dry dock. it will be great help as i have no practical experience of a dry dock.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal August 3, 2016
    Glad to know that these have been of some help to you Shishir. I will write on tank cleaning on crude oil tankers very soon.

  • Vinoth August 18, 2016
    Amazing explanation.Thak u very much captain.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal August 23, 2016
    Glad you liked it Vinoth..

  • Nicolas August 22, 2016
    Hi Capt, thanks for sharing your knowledge, very good and usefull, really appreciate. Still confused about odme, ….let’s take the example above, total quantity permitted 1000 litres, say flow rate 100 cubic meters per hour, 10 ppm, 10 knots… turns out to be IR= 0,1 L/NM….discharge permitted….that means I can go on discharging provided I don’t reach the total quantity of 1000 litres of oil and the IR not exceed 30 L/nm …Is that correct ?.....thanks
    1

    Rajeev Jassal August 23, 2016
    You nailed it Nicolas... Absolutely correct..

  • Yee Mon Oo October 21, 2016
    very interesting, simple and clear explanation. Thanks a lot, Sir
    1

    Rajeev Jassal October 31, 2016
    Thanks Yee..

  • nirala October 30, 2016
    Could u tell me that if annex 2 cargo to discharge through odme only common line which are splitted at end in two (i.e over and under water). In this condition how can we close the recirculation valve and if switch on the odme, will we make entry in ORB or not for annex 2?
    2

    Rajeev Jassal October 31, 2016
    This is very interesting situation. You can read the full answer here.

    Harbinder Singh September 16, 2019
    hello sir unable to open You can read the full answer here? article

  • nirala October 31, 2016
    Thnks for prompt reply and valuabe info.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal October 31, 2016
    Thanks Nirala..

  • Igor November 16, 2016
    The question is... if, the residues in slop tank were accumulated while several voyages however possibility to discharge at sea opened only now, how to set 1/30000 limit. Thanks.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal November 17, 2016
    We have carried 30000T of oil. The tanks were washed and washing transferred to a slop tank. Now there would be two conditions. First lets assume that the these washings were discharged through ODME. The total oil discharged after the ODME operation was 700 Litres (allowed was 1000 litres which is 1/30000 of 30000T). Now we carry more oil cargo of 15000 T. The washings of this cargo are again collected in the same tank. Now the the 300 litres saved in previous operation will not add to this. We will be allowed maximum of only 500 litres to discharge during ODME operation. Second case will be if the washings of the first cargo are not discharged through ODME and washings of the second cargo are mixed with the previous washings. Now in this case the limits will be added. The Total cargo of which these washings formed part of will be 45000 T and we will be allowed maximum of 1500 litres to discharge. I hope that makes sense.

  • Gulbag January 6, 2017
    Dear Sir kindly explain difference between Bulk qty discharged and final qty discharged as per Guide for correct entry in the ORB item no 47 and 48
    4

    Rajeev Jassal February 4, 2017
    Item no 47 is quantity discharged in this operation. Item no 48 is the total quantity discharged. It will only be different if during one voyage, ODME was operated over two periods. For example if the total quantity of slops is 200 m3 and one day 50 m3 of slops was discharged and then it was stopped. Again after few days the remaining 150 m3 of slops was discharged. In this case while making entry for second discharge, item 47 will be 150 m3 and item 48 will be 200 m3.

    Jun Olaguer October 30, 2017
    Good day. Excellent blog by the way. Although I can't seem to agree with you regarding item 47 and 48. As per OCIMF Clean Seas Guide for Oil Tankers (1.8 Slop Tank Discharge), it is conceptualize that you should have two phases of discharge. The first phase is the bulk discharge where you can discharge at max allowable rate. Then you should stop, measure and then continue to discharge at a slower rate to avoid the vortex effect. Preferably using the stripping line. This will now constitute your item 47 and item 48. Also, you can check it with INTERTANKO a guide for correct entries in the Oil Record Book Part II.

  • Deba January 20, 2017
    Thanks, You wrote awesome, I have learn lots of things from your article. It's really helpful for any readers. Battery Operated Flow Meter
    1

    Rajeev Jassal February 4, 2017
    Glad you liked it Deba..

  • Gulbag February 4, 2017
    Hi Sir, We recently used ODME. The intial alarm was set up at 400 ppm. With every intial actions the alarm came up several times as high PPM. Then the value was adjusted to 800 ppm. And the operation started successfully. While monitoring over side It looked almost black discharge getting overboard. The operation was stopped in 8 mins time to avoid any trouble with serious violation of code of conduct. So sir can you advise if there is any limit to input the ppm value or there is no limit.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal February 4, 2017
    There is no limit of PPM as per the MARPOL. Vessel only need to satisfy IRD and total oil quantity. But most of the ODME equipments have a limitation of maximum PPM of 999 after which it will automatically stop. With 800 PPM, I do not think you should get black water. 800PPM is quite clear water. I think problem can be the discharge line after the sample point which may be dirty, or the PPM meter is not working where as the oil PPM content is much more and it is only showing 800PPM. Check the sample of oily mixture entering the ODME through the drain. Check if it is black. If it is clear water then it surely is the line (after the sample point) that is dirty.

  • suresh May 10, 2017
    Thanks a lot sir and it was very useful,,
    0

  • Karan Keswani May 22, 2017
    Vessel tried to decant this morning through the Stripper pump as we have 2 flow meters, Initially we were successful and managed to pump out approx 35 m3 of wash water through ODME, After sometime we received an Alarm “ PRESSURE SENSOR U/R’’, and the Overboard Valve closed. Vessel has then checked GPS signal, Fresh water ,Controlled air and sampling pump for proper operation. We checked in the manual for Trouble shooting but found nothing in connection with the above alarm. We again tried to start decanting but the Alarm still persists. Kindly advise.
    0

  • CHEM MASTER June 3, 2017
    A SLOP with mixed cleaning detergent can be discharged ? Adding emulsfiying detergent surely will decrease the oil quantity and even let zero slop by this way ??
    0

  • Jshyam July 26, 2017
    On completion of decanting Operation it was noticed that the flow rate is showing 400 -500 m3/ hour instead of actual which was 38-40m3/hour . Means there is a wrong reading input from the flowmeter . Now since the operation is done , how to justify it in the Record book. What flow rate should we write in the record book. All parameters were Automatic.
    0

  • MIDHUN JOY September 5, 2017
    thank u so much sir.. for a fresh chief officer like it is a grt help.. really appreciate
    0

  • Ashish October 28, 2017
    Dear Capt. Rajeev , hello and many thanks for such a post. It's always nice to have such a back up for future references though i would like to ask one question about ODMCS. If it's showing wrong time how to correct that. Hope to hear from you soon. Many thanks once again.
    0

  • Imran November 9, 2017
    Very useful article.Awesome
    0

  • Inyang Innocent February 20, 2018
    This is eyes opening experience, thanks sir,
    0

  • George April 7, 2018
    Anybody famiar with what to do when after closing the supply of the odme the valve to slop automatically turns to open?
    0

  • Georgios Angelidis April 7, 2018
    Anybody famiar with what to do when after closing the supply of the odme the valve to slop automatically turns to open?
    0

  • Sheeju May 10, 2018
    Thank you very much your Your valuable information sir...could u pls explain about ppm. Is odmcs automatically stop 15ppm?
    0

  • EDUARDO RUIZ MARIN June 21, 2018
    Slops on board, engine sludge transfer to the slop tank (system approved by class) then we have cargo slops together with engine sludges. Can we use the ODME????
    0

  • ThinkCentre July 9, 2018
    Dear Sir, can you please explain the difference between Flow Rate and Discharge Rate ? I don`t believe are the same. Thank you.
    0

  • Gela August 6, 2018
    Thanks. Very clean.
    0

  • Avinash Varella August 7, 2018
    Very well explained sir. Could you please provide some information on how to test ODME?
    2

    Dorin August 7, 2018
    30L/Nm alarm verification. simulate: oil content 580 ppm, speed 10 kn, flow 500 m3/h. discharge valve should open(29 L / Nm). After that set oil content to 620 ppm.Discharge valve should close and alarm L/Nm exceed should come. (31 L / Nm). Regards.

    Harbinder Singh September 16, 2019
    In addition to Dorin mentioned above test also for Total qty discharge criteria, set a lower value and run the ODMCS in simulation mode with IRD say around 29 L/NM. You would see the Total oil discharged reading go up. When you reach the set value of total oil discharged, the ODMCS should shut the discharge valve.

  • Jitendar Kumar August 8, 2018
    Thanks capt,now can you discribe about tankscop,multigas detectors,and drager tubes
    0

  • Sailor L October 29, 2018
    Good day sir , Nice explanation given above, can u pls say what is the difference btwn odmcs and odme ?
    0

  • Lakshmanan January 9, 2019
    Dear sir, thank u lot of. I have one request how would know analyser sensor OK or not!?? Because we can calibrated Flow transmitter.. If there is chance know about sensor healthy or not???
    0

  • eldho February 11, 2019
    hi our ship odme was not working because of actuater stuck now we have corrected but date and showing old. please tell how to set time model bristol babcock
    0

  • Anand February 11, 2019
    Thanks :)
    0

  • li qiang March 7, 2019
    Thanks a lot CAPT,Very well explained. But could you please explain that why the max oil mixture discharged is 1/3000 by totall quanity as per regulation?
    1

    Harbinder Singh September 16, 2019
    First of all let us understand the rationale behind this requirement. The first requirement was that while the ship is moving, you can discharge 30 litres of oil contained in the oily water provided this 30 litre is spread over one nautical mile. If the second requirement is not there, one could keep on diluting the oily mixture to make sure IRD is always less than 30 L/NM and pump out entire tank content. This requirement limits the total oil that a ship can discharge irrespective of complying with the first requirement.

  • Joseph April 28, 2019
    Very interesting! What is the main reason of having a Communication Error Alarm? Thanks
    0

  • Josely April 29, 2019
    I would like to know the action will you take if you find that on testing the ODME or OWS it is not working?
    0

  • Imamu kingsley June 28, 2019
    Can you please explain the procedure for the calibration of ODME. if how to cancel calibration failure alarm.
    0

  • Sonal Kumar July 30, 2019
    Nice such good blog to read keep sharing more thanks for it http://www.maniks.com/manufacturer/dust-collector-parts-manufacturer/
    0

  • Sourabh Gupta August 2, 2019
    Hello Sir, Could you please explain as to when can we run the ODME in manual mode and if yes then when and how many times are we allowed to do so?
    0

  • Harbinder Singh September 16, 2019
    hello sir unable to open You can read the full answer here? article
    0

  • Anant October 20, 2019
    Very useful notes. Can u please explain difference in decanting desloping and demucking?
    0

  • Michael November 30, 2019
    Very good presentation Captain! I am using the RiverTrace SMART Cell as well and am having an issue with the self test. Self test continually fails on wiper/air/ppm. There was a small air leak in the solenoid in the E/R but this was rectified. While running the self test, I do not feel any air from the wiper cylinder inlet. Any help that you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks again!
    0

  • Berkay December 26, 2019
    Very good guide. Thanks for detailed informations
    0

  • Gebreyesus woldu January 18, 2020
    Thanks! Discharg flow fail alarm came what can we do in this case?
    0

  • Fransisku Sampath January 19, 2020
    Thank you Captain. It is very helpful and can understand easily. It was very helpful for my new job. Good luck and keep updating important things you have. Thank You once again Captain
    0

  • PJ Llamas March 2, 2020
    this is very clear and indeed very helpful.
    0

  • Sanjay July 10, 2020
    Hi Captain, Do you still need a certificate from any local bodies to ascertain discharge
    0

  • Harjinder Singh July 12, 2020
    Thanks sir for such explanation...can u pls explain procedure if oil enters segregated ballast tanks...can we use odme to remove maximum water
    0

  • SONI PERERA August 26, 2020
    we would like to have a conversation with you. Please contact us at +832-4397233. or send us your contact number.
    0

  • Hossein September 18, 2020
    Dear sir Good time I have GPS signal failure on My device ODME model S-3000 Also no havd any psition data on display or ODME log printer. Pls advise me how to confirm the correct GPS signal with multimeter? I checked already . I am sure that The cabling and terminal is corect Would you pls requested to sent your valuable advise to my E-mail address As i can not reconnect With best regards Abbasi Eto
    0

  • captain Hüseyin September 23, 2020
    Thanks for sharing. This information was very useful to me
    0

  • ARVIND REWAR October 6, 2020
    Good day sir, Your all articles are very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. Sir I had a question in mind which nobody could clarify regarding ODME Manual discharge valve. Should we throttle adme overboard valve during operation or not . Thank you in advance .
    0

  • Mate October 14, 2020
    Sir, who specific person operates ODME on the ship???
    1

    FKIR November 23, 2020
    BSDK CO

  • Jonard October 18, 2020
    Who operates ODME? and why do we need to test ODME?
    0

  • SURESH GOMEZ October 19, 2020
    Hi, can anyone share the rivertrace smart odme password to delete the alarm/activity log entries?
    0

  • Minakshi January 18, 2021
    Very well written article. I make sure I read maximum of the articles written by you for the simplicity and ease to understand. Can u please tell me, what are the nodes I'd odmcs operation.?
    0

  • bipin khanna January 24, 2021
    Sir Excellent knowledge and request please advice- .Which checklist shall be used on every occasion that OWS is used? Please advice Tech Chkl ref. b. For odmcs (for oil/chemical tankers only)- If not automatically stopped by the system, decanting operation must be manually stopped when oil water interface is at least HOW MANY ? mtr above suction point or remaining quantity of water is 10m3, whichever occurs first
    1

    Saumitra Ranjan June 11, 2021
    did u get the answer for this?

  • rowel salmasan June 18, 2021
    Do you have any instruction on how to print in ODME cleantrack 100?
    0

  • rowel salmasan June 18, 2021
    cleantrack 1000 i mean?
    0

  • ABHISHEK KUMAR SAHA September 19, 2021
    sir,what all data we need to entre in ODME before starting other than maximum allowable oil discharge?
    0

  • Max October 1, 2021
    Dear Captain. Can you answer the question, is it possible to make decanting if vessel is in laden condition and slop(p) with washing water but slop(s) with cargo and has DV segregation? Thank's a lot
    0

  • Tapas Kumar Roy October 10, 2021
    It's really helpful content. Thanks sir.
    0

  • felix jack rebello October 18, 2021
    where will i get the information on slop settling time prior decanting
    0

  • Jan January 6, 2022
    Thank you sir for all the knowledge that you shared, it helps us bigtime onboard. I hope someday there will be an app containing all what you shared and that for us to download for our guidelines while onboard.
    0

  • largo August 26, 2022
    on what principal odme works ?
    0

  • Alex September 6, 2022
    Good day! Would like to ask, how to perform discharging the settling water from FSO through the ODME Jowa Cleantoil 9000, it is no way through the water, vessel is at spread moorings? Thank you in advance.
    0

  • Yatin February 23, 2023
    Very well explained Sir. Can you please explain the procedure for testing ODME and how often we do it? Thank you
    0

Capt Rajeev Jassal

About Capt Rajeev Jassal

Capt. Rajeev Jassal has sailed for over 24 years mainly on crude oil, product and chemical tankers. He holds MBA in shipping & Logistics degree from London. He has done extensive research on quantitatively measuring Safety culture onboard and safety climate ashore which he believes is the most important element for safer shipping.

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