Our separators can be sized to accommodate virtually all types of pollutant discharges from petroleum and non-petroleum industries. These units have no moving parts, are virtually maintenance-free, and can operate at influent temperatures up to 100 degrees C. and at a pH range of 2 to 12 when appropriate materials and/or coatings are utilized. Standard sizes range from 10 GPM to 4500 GPM, with larger systems readily available.

Units are designed to strictly conform to:

• The American Petroleum Institute general standards governing the separation of oil from water by gravity differentials.
• The Buffalo Morse principle of floatable industrial liquids passing over a single corrugated plate at a perpendicular position to the waste water flow.
• The Royal Dutch Shell principle of multiple parallel plates.
• Technology of enhanced oil coalescing through the use of oleophilic polypropylene media.

Operations
Our oil-water separator is designed for unattended operation with minimal maintenance. Separation within the unit is on a perpetual last-in, last-out basis. As oily influent flows through the separator, oil is removed and a corresponding amount of clean effluent is discharged. Systems can be designed for complete gravity discharges or with automatic explosion proof level sensing and pump-out accessories.

The separator is comprised of a stationary tank, full of water, having an inlet at one end directing the oily influent over a specifically designed heavy corrugated plate, set at 33 degrees angle. Initially, the flow is reversed and the influent passes over the corrugated plate, the tumbling action of the oil laden water passing over the corrugations induces the oil and lighter density substances to break away. As the oil droplets start to rise they join together, and because of buoyancy, rise rapidly to the surface. The larger the droplet, the faster the rate of rise and separation. Sludge or heavy solids within the stream settle in from of the center sludge baffle plate.

The Second phase of separation begins as the influent is directed between an inclined arrangement of corrugated parallel plates, stacked at an upward sloping 45 degree angle, and spaced 4 inches apart to prevent plugging by debris and gummy solids. Buoyancy causes smaller oil droplets to rise and coalesce into sheets of oil on the underside of the corrugated plates, creep up towards the surface, and finally break loose near the top in the form of large globules that rise to the surface.

Clean water flows in a downward path to the outlet where it escapes from the lower region of the separator, as the separated oil is withdrawn from the surface. A small area at the bottom of the parallel corrugated plate is left open to allow sludge and heavy solids to pass through and collect at the center sludge baffle plate. An access opening above the baffle plate permits periodic removal of the collected solids from the tank. Oily influent having large concentrations of heavy solids should be routed through an inteceptor tank prior to entering the separator.

In a major spill condition, the separator is designed so that the separation surface increases as the water volume decreases. In a major rainfall situation, large volumes of rainwater can pass through the separator without disturbing any of the oil present in the system.

Installation & Maintenance
Our separators can be installed underground. They can also be skid-mounted or saddle-mounted for special above ground applications. Routine underground tank installation procedures are depicted in our installation instructions. For locations with high water tables, extremely low temperatures, or other unusual conditions, please contact us.

Maintenance for our typical separator installation is minimal because of design characteristics, including the absence of any moving parts. Separators equipped with automatic level sensing and pump discharge require only routine maintenance.

Tank Gauging & Pump Out Systems-
Automatic discharge can be achieved with triple sensing control floats with solid-state latch pack. Various level sensing modes can be coupled with a self-priming, explosion proof pump to discharge oil and/or water.

Separator Construction & Corrosion Protection-
Standard units are fabricated out of carbon steel. Alternates include stainless steel, U.L. 1746 listed composite and jacketed secondary containment. Epoxy interior and exterior coatings and Sti-P3 cathodic protection systems are available.

Other-
Automatic oil stop valve; freeze protection systems; steam or electrical tank heaters; integral sludge interceptor compartments equipped with hoppers for automatic discharge and/or integral oil and/or water storage compartments are just a few of the many features that can be added to

• Available in standard sizes from 350 to 30,000 gallons

• Single and double wall units

• All double-wall units approved by and bear the UL 58 Type II Double-Wall Label.

• Removes oil particles down to 20 microns and produces an effluent quality of water less than 10 ppm of free oil.

• Various equipment options available.

• Can have option for Sti-P3 Cathodic Protection System and bear the Sti-P3 label.

• A 30 Year Limited Warranty backed by both the manufacturer and the Steel Tank Institute.
• Combines protective coating, cathodic protection and electrical isolation for a pre-engineered, easy to install and monitor system.
• Recognized by NFPA 30 as an acceptable means of corrosion protection. (ANSI/NFPA 30 July 14, 1984, 2-3-3)

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