Oil water separators are crucial elements of industrial wastewater management equipment’s. They assist businesses in remaining compliant with regulators and protecting the environment from pollution. However, as with any piece of equipment, they must be maintained to ensure that they function as intended.

The worst-case situation is that you only discover a problem, like clogging in your oil water separator, after your facility releases out-of-specified water. To avoid this, here are some of the things you should check on a regular basis, to guarantee your oil-water separator continues to function properly.

What are the steps to unclog oil water separators?

- Water is not flowing or flow is low into the oil water separator

A low water flow could be caused by a fault with the pump, sump level, or suction line. Some of the difficulties are universal to all separators.

To clear the suction line of gravity or coalescing separator, follow these steps:

•      Flush to eliminate impediments.

•      Repair any cracks or loose fittings that allow air to enter the system.

•      Remove any obstructions from the foot valve.

-  Water is passing into the waste oil container, or water is passing out of the top of the separator

•      Inside the unit, the waste oil collar may be set too low. When the pump is running, the collar should be positioned five millimetres above the water level, to prevent free water from being skimmed off with the waste oil.

•      Look for a discharge blockage. Check media packs, and clean as necessary. Regular blockages may need any more investigation into the unit sizing, and removal of solid debris.

•      The pump might well be rated too high. The excess flow rate through the unit negatively affects its performance.

-  The waste oil container contains no oil

•      The waste collar within the unit could be too high. When the pump is working, the collar should be set to five millimetres above the water level, to ensure that oil is evacuated from the system and does not accumulate inside the separator.

•      Because, the wastewater stream is clean, no oil is collected. There is no action necessary.

•      Oils in the wastewater stream have created an emulsion and cannot be extracted, by a coalescing or vertical gravity separator. Make certain that no unauthorized degreasers or detergents are used in the system. For technical assistance with emulsions, contact Netsol Water Solutions.

-  There is oil in the water outflow

•      Determine whether an oil spill has overloaded the system. First, deal with the spill.

•      Examine the waste oil decant tank. If the tank is full, dispose of the oil.

•      Ensure that no unauthorized degreasers or detergents are used in the system.

•      Examine the separator's treated water discharge. A clog will impair the unit's performance.

-  The oil water separator is emitting an odour

•      Verify that the pump is running in automatic mode.

•      Examine the sump for sludge build-up. If necessary, pump out.

•      To treat stagnant water, flush out the wastewater pit with clean water.

Conclusion

A well-designed, properly operating API Separator is a fantastic piece of wastewater process equipment, for refineries, chemical plants, power plants, and a variety of other heavy-duty industrial facilities.

How can we assist?

Netsol Water provides expert guidance and technical support for all water and wastewater related issues. Our certified specialists have worked on a wide range of oil-water separators in a variety of sectors. We can help you diagnose problems and propose solutions to them.