The Isolation of Oil and Other Fluids in Tankers from Seawater Ballast Using Impermeable Membranes. Volume 1

摘要

The report investigates the feasibility of using impermeable membranes to permit the dual purpose use of cargo tanks in commercial vessels as clean water ballast tanks. Both engineering and economic assessments were made of the membrane method of isolating cargo and ballast in a common tank. The investigation included model tests, membrane material studies, ship structural analysis and a patent search of related membrane applications. Conversion costs and percentage increases in required freight rates are given. Additionally, the cost effectiveness in terms of dollars per cubic meter of operational and accidental pollution prevented are reported. (Author)