CRUDE OIL WASHING SYSTEMS

The present official IMO publication contains the revised specifications relating to the design, as well as control and operation of the COW, i.e. crude oil washing systems installed on board marine vessels carrying crude oil, the standard format for the COW operations and associated equipment manuals, informative examples of the above mentioned systems and manuals, and valuable guidelines for the in-port inspection of COW procedures.

The main purpose of the document is to provide users with all required technical info and related requirements. The book starts with the introductory sections defining its purpose and application, followed by the chapter containing general provisions. The next chapter addresses the design criteria applicable to the piping and washing machines, pumps, stripping systems and ballast lines.

The fifth chapter is fully dedicated to the personnel qualification, while the sixth deals with the actual operation, i.e. tankage, drainage/discharge, filling the tanks, COW at sea, use of the inert gas and its control, vapor emission, necessary safety precautions related to the electrostatic generation, oily water discharge etc. The last chapter gives the information about the operations and equipment manual. There are also three appendices at the end of the volume providing some additional information relating to the changes to the regulations, training of the personnel and agreed interpretations.