How It Works

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
TREATMENT PRINCIPLE

THE MSD Type II Marine Sanitation Device is a biological aerobic (bacteria and air) sewage treatment system. Liquid and solid wastes are removed from the water by bacteria naturally contained in sewage.

THE MSD consists of three treatment stages; aeration, clarification, and disinfection. In the aeration chamber (stage 1), the bacteria grow and multiply using the sewage as their food supply. This action reduces the quantity and size of the solid matter. In the clarification chamber (stage 2), the bacterial floc is separated from the treated solid matter. The treated water is clear and free from solids, however, the liquid must be disinfected prior to discharge overboard to kill any disease-causing bacteria. Disinfection is accomplished in the clarification chamber (stage 3).

Flow through these three stages is caused by direct displacement. When new sewage flows into the aeration chamber, an equal volume flows through the clarification chamber. This volume, in turn, displaces an equal volume from the clarification chamber into the disinfection chamber, and overboard. No internal sewage pumps are necessary.

AERATION

Sewage is aerated as soon as it enters the treatment system, and mixes with the aeration liquid already in the aeration chamber. Plastic non-clog diffusers inject air near the bottom of the aeration chamber so that the sewage remains in a state of aerobic decomposition. This aerated liquid contains the bacterial sludge that reacts with the sewage to start the reduction process. The movement created by the injected air helps mix the sewage with the bacterial sludge and prevents sludge and sewage solids from settling to the bottom. The air discharged from the surface of the liquid in the aeration chamber is vented to the atmosphere through a vent line connection.

CLARIFICATION

The liquid displaced from the aeration chamber flows into the clarification chamber for further treatment. Some of the suspended material will settle out into the chamber below, where it will be returned to the aeration chamber. The remaining sludge and waste material is removed as the liquid flows upwards through the biological filter media. Bacteria grow on the surface of the media and produce a sticky, slimy film that traps small particles of waste. The trapped waste is then consumed by the bacteria on the surface of the filter media. By the time the liquid reaches the top of the biological filter, it has passed by several layers of bacteria, ensuring that the sludge and waste removal process is completed. Clear water accumulates here until it is displaced into the discharge line, and the disinfection chamber.

DISINFECTION

The water flowing out the discharge line of the clarification chamber is collected in the disinfection chamber (chlorine contact chamber), where disinfecting chlorine tablets are located. In this chamber, the water mixes with the disinfectant for a residence time sufficient to complete the disinfection stage of the treatment process.

DISCHARGE

The clear disinfected waste water is then discharged overboard, or sent to a holding tank (for use in No Discharge Zones) for later discharge. When directly discharged overboard, the disinfected waste water flows from the disinfection chamber through a gravity discharge connection to overboard. If desired, the treated liquid can be retained in a holding tank, for later discharge, when the system is used as a Type III unit.