Oil and water separators (oil-water separators, oil water separators) are remediation devices that separate oil from water and/or wastewater. This product area includes both aboveground and underground systems for the containment and treatment of oil-contaminated water. Oil and water separators also include smaller, filtration-type devices that treat wastewater produced by large, oil-lubricated equipment such as compressors. Oil filters that process compressor condensate to a residual oil...
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Q & A on Oil and Water Separators
We asked our users for their input on Oil and Water Separators. Here are the results of 88 users familiar with Oil and Water Separators.
Who Took Our Poll? | Design Trends | Applications and Use | Features | Buying Advice |Design TrendsTop
What new technologies are influencing oil and water separator design?
14 answers
I am not very familiar with this, but would like to mention that I have given trial with a microwave heating system on an offshore platform to separate emulsion of oil and water.
~SUNIL B, PROCESS DESIGN ENGINEERING CONSULTANT, MUMBAI, INDIA
Electronic control, dewatering speeds, fluid types, physical size limitations, vacuum, air blower and coalescing technologies
~Chad G, Area sales manager, Shefford, Canada
Centrifuge Separation, Hydrocyclone, Dual Frequency Technology for Electrostatic Treaters
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~Hans Herrera, Process Engineer, Cartagena, Colombia
From your perspective, which companies are creating the most innovative oil and water separators?
11 answers
Severn Trend company that has submerged oil recovery with a coalescence unit above ground.
~Andrea A, Process Engineer, Milano, Italy
Condensate Systems Ltd - SEPURA brand. Pure simplicity, low cost, functionality.
~Mike Amphlett, Marketing/Sales, Sandbach, United Kingdom
KPACK systems pvt ltd, Bangalore
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~Marketing/Sales, MUMBAI, India
Applications and UseTop
What are some of the applications you have used oil and water separators for?
24 answers
I have used Oil and Water separators in my distillation system and continuous liquid- liquid extraction units supplied to various clients in India including Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. All the separators were of gravity separators.
~SUNIL B, PROCESS DESIGN ENGINEERING CONSULTANT, MUMBAI, INDIA
1 )Three phase decanter for palm oil mill - for oil , mud and water separation.
2) Soap stock, water and oil separation by waste falia centrifugal system.
~Sanjoy M, Quality Control, Haldia, India
To recover oil losses
For the treatment of separation of soluble oil (sulphonated) metal cutting
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~Marcelo F. B, General Management, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Please share with us any “non-standard” applications that oil and water separators have been used for.
7 answers
Large Test Separators, EHT's used as FWKO's, FWKO's converted to EHT's
~Hans Herrera, Process Engineer, Cartagena, Colombia
In the manufacturing process of ozonides (ozonized oil).
~Marcelo F. B, General Management, Buenos Aires, Argentina
For DNAPL separation a specific OWS designed by me.
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~Andrea A, Process Engineer, Milano, Italy
Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of oil and water separators?
5 answers
Obstruction of drainage pipes
Destruction of sludge biological treatment plant
Contamination of the components of the treatment plant. It was necessary to empty the treatment plant to clean. Industrial production was stopped for a week.
~Marcelo F. B, General Management, Buenos Aires, Argentina
No matter what, do not exceed time of Scheduled Maintenance. Pressure will be on you and it is not comfortable to work under pressure; you may make a huge mistake and it will be worse for everyone.
~Hans Herrera, Process Engineer, Cartagena, Colombia
Improper installation and improper rearrangement after service may be fatal.
~Sanjoy M, Quality Control, Haldia, India
FeaturesTop
What would your design or feature "wish list" be for this product?
13 answers
High capacity, compact design, mobile, user friendly and efficient at water and particulate removal as well as ease of maintenance.
~Chad G, Area sales manager, Shefford, Canada
Optimizing Size, Reduce Time in Maintenance, New Technologies in Emulsion Breakers especially in Heavy Oils
~Hans Herrera, Process Engineer, Cartagena, Colombia
100% capture through a wide range of flow and loading
Innovation would be recycling captured oil
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~Technical Support/Services, Thunder Bay, Canada
Buying AdviceTop
Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using oil and water separators?
8 answers
Be careful with technical support. Most companies do not have proper technicians and/or enough experienced personnel for troubleshooting during commissioning. It is very important to have a complete and detailed flow diagram of your process to purchase exactly what you need. Think in the future. Spend a little more money in future facilities right now and you'll save a lot of money in plant stops during facilities expansions.
~Hans Herrera, Process Engineer, Cartagena, Colombia
Know all the parameters for the application and fluid type. Use oil analysis or a form of moisture sensor to get a baseline of where you are starting before connecting a dewatering unit. Do not try to dewater a hydraulic or lube oil that is not worth saving (can be confirmed by oil analysis).
~Chad G, Area sales manager, Shefford, Canada
The buyer must be informed about the process. Ask about references in the same or similar application. Ask about maintenance and operational cost. Ask about the performance and equipment warranty.
~Marcelo F. B, General Management, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The durability and the possibility of cleaning to remove dust, and oxide.
~Andrea A, Process Engineer, Milano, Italy
Go for simplicity and stay away from gravity pre-separation.
~Mike Amphlett, Marketing/Sales, Sandbach, United Kingdom
Internal advice for security in process
~Leonel L, Technical Support, Avanca, Portugal
It is necessary to recycle the water.
~Sachin P, Marketing/Sales, Pune, India
Buyer beware
~Ed S, Technical Support, Augusta, GA
Is there any advice you want to share with users to help them avoid common errors in selection or usage of oil and water separators?
6 answers
Always will be better to over-design than getting short, but do not exceed yourself. You have to take count on unexpected flow increases and it is better to be prepared and not to improvise.
~Hans Herrera, Process Engineer, Cartagena, Colombia
Try to correct water ingression points and avoid long distances for the suction lines as well as too much head pressure for flooded suction applications.
~Chad G, Area sales manager, Shefford, Canada
Stay away from gravity pre-separation - it's where 90% of problems occur.
~Mike Amphlett, Marketing/Sales, Sandbach, United Kingdom
Visit one or more facilities built by the proponent.
~Marcelo F. B, General Management, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The real flow rate for different type of oil.
~Andrea A, Process Engineer, Milano, Italy
Go see one working and ask questions.
~Ed S, Technical Support, Augusta, GA
