Development of an Incinerator-Based Waste Management Model for Marine Pollution Mitigation

Abstract

Marine pollution caused by ship-generated waste remains a critical environmental challenge, particularly on training vessels that operate continuously with high waste variability. This study aims to develop and validate an incinerator-based onboard waste management model that enhances waste processing efficiency while ensuring compliance with MARPOL 73/78 regulations. A mixed-method approach was applied, integrating quantitative waste characterization and regression-based estimation of waste generation with qualitative operational analysis across six Indonesian training ships. The regression outputs were used to parameterize incinerator capacity and combustion load, while system integration, thermal simulation, and operational validation were conducted to evaluate performance under representative shipboard conditions. The findings demonstrate that the engineered incinerator significantly improves feeding capacity, combustion efficiency, and energy utilization, while reducing residual ash and carbon monoxide emissions by approximately 15–20 ppm compared to standard systems. Thermal simulations confirmed stable combustion at 950–1050°C and effective exhaust gas treatment through water spray cooling and activated carbon filtration. The proposed model offers a system-level improvement over existing studies by explicitly integrating regulatory requirements, engineering design, emission control, and crew-operational workflows within the spatial and functional constraints of training vessels. This integrated and vessel-specific approach constitutes the main novelty of the study, providing a practical, compliant, and environmentally sustainable solution for shipboard waste management and marine pollution mitigation.

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