Marina Port Vell installs Flovac system
Last April 27, the final reception of the work carried out by Flovac was made at the facilities of the Marina of Port Vell in Barcelona. Known as one of the finest new marinas for superyachts in Europe, the owners saw the use of the Flovac system as essential for their place. This system collects both discharges from the Marina’s own buildings (such as the restaurant, offices, locker rooms, gym, etc.) and waste water from ships docked in Port Vell.
Wastewater and bilge water
The vacuum system implemented in the Marina has two vacuum networks. One, for the wastewater generated in the Marina itself (urban wastewater); and the other, that goes parallel, for the bilge waters, which require treatment prior to being discharged into the port sewerage.
The vacuum of the pipe network, placed around the perimeter of the area, is created by a single vacuum station located in the Marina itself. The vacuum station is the only electricity source needed for the whole system to work. Flovac vacuum valves, which are located in different collection pits, are pneumatically operated with this setup. Flovac has already installed four vacuum sewerage works in the area of the Port of Barcelona.
No leaks from the sewer system can occur
Flovac’s vacuum system is the most economical solution because of its cheap installation. The reason is that the pipe network doesn’t need to be buried at great depths due to its own design characteristics. Therefore, large excavation works can be avoided, which are usually quite expensive. The system does not require intermediate pumps either, since it works with the vacuum itself that is produced. In addition, it is the most ecological solution because it guarantees the impossibility of spilling waterwaist into the sea.
Furthermore, in this case, the vacuum network is equipped with a remote control system. This allows the operators to know exactly everything that happens in any point of the sewage network. This new software has been designed to control the discharge of wastewater from yachts to the Marina. As a result, Marina Port Vell prevents sewage dumped at sea and in return gives them a MARPOL certificate. MARPOL 73/78 is an international convention for the prevention of pollution at sea, which includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimising pollution at sea from ships. This includes both accidental pollution and pollution from routine operations.