River trace Engineering Smart Bilge Monitor

River trace Engineering Smart Bilge Monitor, commonly used in marine applications.

📌 What is it?

The Smart Bilge and Smart Cell unit is part of an Oil Content Monitor (OCM) system used onboard ships to ensure that discharged bilge water complies with MARPOL regulations (usually below 15 ppm of oil content before overboard discharge).

📊 Key Components Visible:

• SMART CELL

  • This is the measuring cell that detects the oil content in the bilge water sample passing through it.

  • It uses optical sensors to measure oil particles suspended in the water.

• SMART BILGE Display Unit

  • Shows real-time ppm readings of oil content in the water.

  • Equipped with operational buttons (up, down, enter) for setting alarm thresholds, calibration, and data review.

• Sample Inlet/Outlet & Solenoid Valve

  • Controls the sample flow through the measuring cell.

  • Ensures the system only operates when a valid water sample is present.

📦 Manufacturer:

Rivertrace Engineering — a well-respected British manufacturer specializing in marine oil-in-water monitoring systems.

📌 Typical Applications:

• Monitoring oil content in bilge water discharges

• Ensuring compliance with MARPOL Annex I

• Logging oil discharge records for environmental audits

• Preventing illegal or accidental oil discharge into the sea

📌 How It Works:

1. Bilge water sample enters the Smart Cell.

2. The cell uses infrared light scattering and absorption to measure oil content.

3. The Smart Bilge display unit shows the ppm value.

4. If the reading exceeds the preset limit (usually 15 ppm), the system triggers an alarm and prevents discharge.