To make the flow behaviour of the fluids within the separator visible and interpretable, a new test system with a transparent housing is being manufactured on a 1:2 scale. Efficiency curves for EcoBilge will then be plotted for different water temperatures, salinity levels, oil viscosities, unit sizes and bilge water flow rates. The existing prototype is to be further developed and technically optimised, partly on the basis of these parameters.

To test the hypothesis that the current legal framework structurally facilitates the discharge of oil-contaminated bilge water. This requires a systematic examination, analysis and evaluation of the German, European and international legal frameworks governing both inland and maritime shipping, as well as commercial and recreational boating. These include, amongst others but not exclusively, the MARPOL Convention, the Marine Environmental Conduct Ordinance, state waterway regulations, the CDNI regulations, as well as the Waste Oil Ordinance and the Waste Catalogue Ordinance.

A systematic assessment of the condition of German inland and coastal waters to test the hypothesis that pollution caused by oil dumping can be empirically demonstrated. The work involves the identification and scientifically justified selection of suitable chemical parameters for analysing pollution caused by oil and detergents, the structured evaluation of national and international water quality databases (e.g. ELWAS-Web, UBA, BfG, HELCOM, WISE) as well as relevant regional and port reports. In addition, water samples are to be collected from strategically selected harbour basins in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Market potential analysis for on-board bilge oil separation systems to test the hypothesis that there is a gap in the market. This involves presenting and comparing existing technical solutions for target vessels in terms of cost, time required, efficiency, user-friendliness and environmental impact. In addition, a preliminary investigation into market interest in such solutions – for example, amongst offshore wind power service providers and yacht manufacturers – is carried out on the basis of quantitative and qualitative interviews.