Oil Water Separators

July 10, 2017
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Back in the day… oil water separators were basically concrete vaults or steel tanks that were sized based on their total holding capacity. This holding capacity was related to the retention time needed to separate the oil from the water. Most cities and counties would size the oil water separators based solely on the square footage of area draining into the separator. This method, which rightfully erred on the side of caution, often tended to require facility owners to purchase extremely large separators.

Today… our oil water separators are engineered with multiple compartments and equipped with extremely efficient coalescing media to separate the oil from the water mixture in a much smaller system! Our media is capable of removing essentially all free and dispersed non-emulsified oils to an effluent concentration of less than 5 ppm. We now size our separators based mostly on oil viscosity and flow rate so they can be much smaller than they were in the past.

If needed, we can provide information and analysis to the regulatory agencies, which indicates that, at the calculated overflow rate, the separator will be properly sized and provided with the required square feet of projected plate separation area to achieve the specified performance under laminar flow conditions. Calculations shall take into account the rate of flow, potential surge flow, influent concentrations, particle characteristics, fluid temperature, fluid specific gravities, and PH.

Above Ground Oil Water Separators

We offer a complete line of high efficiency, stainless steel above ground oil water separators that will remove nearly all free and dispersed non-emulsified oil and settleable solids from the waste stream.

Read More About Oil Water Separators

Sewer Pre-Treatment (SPT) System Oil Water Separator Clarifier System for High Solids Applications

Oil Water Separator Clarifier System

The SPT Series Integrated Pretreatment Systems integrate an oil water separator with a clarifier to remove both floating oils and settleable solids.

Read More About SPT Series Sewer Pretreatment Systems

Below Ground Oil Water Separator

Below Ground Oil Water Separator Design
Featuring one of our oil water separator designs to be placed under ground.
Our single wall or double wall below ground parallel corrugated plate oil/water…

Read More About Below Ground Oil Water Separators

List of Different Kinds of Oil Water Separators:


June 10, 2014
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Oil and Solids Water Separation Unit
The Solids and Oil Water Separation Systems (SOWS) are horizontal gravity flow treatment systems designed to separate settleable solids, suspended solids, and free and dispersed oil.

New SOWS Systems Remove Both Free & Dispersed Oil AND Settable & Suspended Solids!

Introducing the new Best Available Technology (BAT) for the treatment of produced water and flow-back water. The Solids and Oil Water Separation Systems (SOWS) are horizontal gravity flow treatment systems designed to separate settleable solids, suspended solids, and free and dispersed oil.

This system is a significant improvement to the currently used CPI Separators which can only separate free oil and settleable solids – allowing a considerable amount of dispersed oil, suspended solids, and stable emulsions to pass through the system.

Applications:

  • Onshore and Offshore Drilling Operations
  • Oil Refineries
  • Produced Water
  • Waste Oil Processing Facilities

Benefits:

  • No moving parts
  • Low maintenance
  • Heavy duty carbon or stainless construction

The SOWS System has 5 stages of separation.

Solids Oil Water Separation
Solids Oil Water Separation

Stage 1, Inlet Area – The water mixture flows into the inlet quiescent area where the velocity of the water slows. The free oil (150 micron in size or greater) separates and rises to the surface where it is removed by a pipe skimmer.

Stage 2, Clarifier/Solids Intercept Section – The settleable solids flow downward and are captured in the clarifier/ solids intercept section.

Stage 3, Inclined Plate Section – The suspended solids and dispersed oil flow upward through the inclined plates section. Most of the suspended solids will slide down these plates into the hopper.

Stage 4, Separation Compartment – The remaining suspended solids and dispersed oil flow into the separation compartment where the coalescing plates remove 99% of the free oil droplets 30 micron or greater. This oil rises to the surface where an oil skimmer decants it to an oil storage tank. The coalescing plates then capture the remaining suspended solids.

Stage 5, Clean Water Compartment – The flow of water will go over the overflow weir into the clean water compartment where oil absorption polishing bags trap any trace oils before the water is discharged.

SOWS Solids Oil Water Separation Systems

Model BPD
(Barrels Per Day)
GPM Width Length Height Inlet
Outlet Dia
Clarifier
Plate Area, SF
Separator
Coalescing Volume, CF
Sludge
Volume (Gal)
Total
Capacity (Gal)
SOWS-150 5,140 150 6′-6″ 20′-0″ 9′-0″ 6″ 600 64 300 4250
SOWS
-200
6,850 200 6′-6″ 20′-0″ 10′-0″ 6″ 800 80 300 4930
SOWS
-250
8,570 250 7′-6″ 20′-6″ 10′-0″ 8″ 1000 96 350 5810
SOWS
-300
10,285 300 8′-6″ 21′-6″ 10′-0″ 8″ 1200 120 400 7040
SOWS
-350
12,000 350 8′-6″ 23′-0″ 10′-0″ 8″ 1400 150 425 7480
SOWS
-400
13,715 400 8′-6″ 24′-6″ 11′-0″ 8″ 1600 150 500 8500
SOWS
-450
15,430 450 9′-6″ 26′-0″ 11′-0″ 8″ 1800 175 525 10020
SOWS
-500
17,140 500 9′-6″ 26′-6″ 11′-0″ 8″ 2000 210 550 10450
SOWS
-550
18,855 550 9′-6″ 28′-0″ 12′-0″ 8″ 2200 210 675 11580
SOWS
-600
20,570 600 9′-6″ 29′-6″ 12′-0″ 10″ 2400 240 700 13240
SOWS
-700
24,000 700 10′-6″ 30′-0″ 12′-0″ 10″ 2800 288 750 15450
SOWS
-800
27,425 800 10′-6″ 31′-0″ 12′-6″ 10″ 3200 324 775 17540
SOWS
-900
30,860 900 10′-6″ 32′-6″ 13′-0″ 12″ 3600 324 800 19260

April 22, 2014
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Industrial Process Water Clarifier Oil/Water Separators
By removing 99.9% of the free oil and settable solids, our oil/water separators systems will extend the life of the cleaning baths and improve the quality of the process waters.

Many industrial processes use large amounts of water for a variety of reasons including cooling and cleaning. To assure continuous production, this water has to be clean and free of contaminants such as oil and particles.

The cost of chemicals and downtime to re-charge the spent baths can be expensive. By removing 99.9% of the free oil and settable solids, our oil/water separators systems will extend the life of the cleaning baths and improve the quality of the process waters.

Available in a range of dimensions and flow rates, these separators can be constructed of stainless steel or carbon steel that is coated for corrosion protection. All of our systems are constructed of heavy-duty components for maximum life and performance. They can be integrated into existing process lines and customized with hoppers or oil storage compartments and a variety of skimming, monitoring, and pumping packages.

Benefits

  • 99% Removal of all free oil
  • High solids removal and storage capability
  • Small foot-print
  • High flow rates in a compact design
  • Low maintenance costs

April 22, 2014
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Oil Water Separator for Stormwater
Our stormwater oil water separators will remove solids and all free and dispersed non-emulsified oil droplets 20 micron or greater in size and produce an effluent discharge of less than 5 PPM.

The first phase of a rainstorm can be deceiving. The peaceful melody of the droplets can quickly disperse over parking lots, fueling depots, and washing areas that all contain pollutants, such as oil and grease. Because impervious surfaces do not allow rain to infiltrate into the ground, storm water runoff is generated. Surface runoff or storm water runoff then becomes a major threat to our nation and our clean water supply.

In order to protect our clean water supply these waters have to be treated before being discharged from storm sewers to surface waters. Our WB-QB oil water separators will remove solids and all free and dispersed non-emulsified oil droplets 20 micron or greater in size and produce an effluent discharge of less than 5 PPM.

Most municipalities have storm water departments that are made to protect water resources and reduce impacts from storm water runoff.  They also are responsible for the compliance of requirements for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

Our efficient, below ground separators meet pretreatment SPCC and NPDES permits for local communities.

Our proprietary design incorporates patented revolutionary non-plugging poly-propylene coalescing plates. Our coalescing media exceeds all known American performance standards including UL 2215, and has been tested in accordance with European Union Standard CEN EN858-1, which requires a discharge limit of less than 5 PPM. Our separator tanks are manufactured to UL 58 and UL 1746 Standards. Construction can be either single wall or double wall with a corrosion protection system.  Sizes are available up to 4000 GPM flow rate.

Operation Maintenance

  • All models can be serviced from grade level
  • No confined spaces
  • Plates easily removed, washed down and put back in place
  • Solids can be pumped out through large access opening from grade level

Options Available

  • Grit chamber for solids removal prior to coalescing compartment
  • Effluent pump out chamber after coalescing compartment
  • Oil stop valve to retain lighter liquids from leaving separator
  • Leak detection and level indicating systems
Model # Average Flowrate (GPM) Approximate Capacity (Gallons) Dimensions Diameter x Length (FT)
WB-QB-342 10-30 350 3.5 x 6
WB-QB-548 30-50 500 3.5 x 9
WB-QB-1048 50-100 1000 4 x 11
WB-QB-2064 100-200 1500 5 x 12
WB-QB-2564 200-300 2000 5 x 21
WB-QB-2572 300-400 2500 6 x 12
WB-QB-3272 400-500 3200 6 x 15
WB-QB-4072 500-800 4000 6 x 19

March 5, 2014
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In some locations such as power plants or older factories, there may be a need to install a larger oil water separator in a constrained space. There may be room for the separator, but the entrance to the separator area may be a maze of twisted steps and narrow hallways.  If this is the case, we have the ability to custom engineer an oil water separator that can be built in place, piece-by-piece.

Constrained Location Oil Water Separator
Our Built In Place Oil Water Separators are designed for those constrained locations that seem impossible. Wash Bay Solutions provides an advanced solution for this very need.

Applications include:

  • Power Plants
  • Refineries
  • Factories
  • Industrial plants

Available in a range of dimensions and flow rates, these separators can be constructed of stainless steel or carbon steel that corrosion protection applied at the factory.

To ensure each piece will be made to accommodate the facility, we will prepare detailed sub-assembly drawings for your approval prior to starting construction. Then, detailed construction drawings and instructions will be provided for onsite installation.

Like all of our separators, these constrained space oil/water separators will remove 99.9% of free and dispersed non-emulsified oil droplets in the waste stream.

Benefits

  • Removes free oil droplets as small as 20 microns
  • Reduces effluent free oil concentration to 10 ppm or less
  • High flow rates in a compact design
  • Low maintenance costs
  • Solids storage capability

All of our systems are constructed of heavy-duty components for maximum life and performance.  They can be customized with hoppers or oil storage compartments and a variety of skimming, monitoring, and pumping packages.


March 5, 2014

Are you washing with dirty water?

Many industries have parts washing systems that are critical to their production. Often used on a continuous basis, they remove heavy oils, dry lubes and machining particles off production parts. Many of these wash systems require constant cleaning and filtration to not to re-contaminate the parts. 

Our oil water separator systems will remove 99.9% of free and dispersed non-emulsified oil droplets in the wash water  – greatly improving the quality of the cleaning water and extending the time before having to dump and re-charge. They will also help drop out particles from the wash water.

Oil Water Separator
Featuring an image of one of our oil water separator designs.

Available in a range of dimensions and flow rates, our oil water separators can be can be integrated easily with the existing parts washing systems and customized with a variety of skimming, monitoring, and pumping packages.  All of our systems are constructed of stainless steel and heavy-duty components for maximum life and performance. 

Benefits

  • 99% Removal of all free oil
  • Small foot-print – compact design
  • Low maintenance costs
  • Solids storage capability
  • Easily integrated into existing systems

Above Ground Oil/Water Separators

OWS Model # Dimensions
W x H x L (ft)
Max Flowrate, GPM

WB-GS-1

1 x 2 x 4 3

WB-GS-2

2 x 2 x 4 6

WB-GS-3

3 x 2 x 4 9

WB-GM-1

1 x 2 x 5 6

WB-GM-2

2 x 2 x 5 12

WB-GM-3

3 x 2 x 5 18

WB-GM-1-1H

1 x 3 x 5 12

WB-GM-2-1H

2 x 3 x 5 24

WB-GM-3-1H

3 x 3 x 5 36

WB-AG-2

2 x 3 x 7 60

WB-AG-3

3 x 3 x 7 90

WB-AG-4

4 x 3 x 7 120

March 3, 2014

Oil Water Separator for Vehicle Washing Solutions
Here is one of our oil water separators specifically designed for the vehicle washing industry to help remove dirt and oil.

Our oil water separators have been specially developed for treating wash water from commercial vehicle washing operations.  Used in a variety of applications, our vehicle washing oil water separator systems will remove 99.9% of free and dispersed non-emulsified oil droplets in the wash water with discharge to the sewer or a treatment plant.

Applications:

  • Equipment Washing
  • Car Washing
  • Truck & Bus Washing
  • Forklift Wash Facilities
  • Aircraft Washing
  • Locomotive Washing
  • Marinas

Available in a range of dimensions and flow rates, our oil water separators can be can be customized with a variety of skimming, monitoring, and pumping packages.  All of our systems are constructed of stainless steel or coated carbon steel and heavy-duty components for maximum life and performance. They can also be easily adapted to handle a range of input water variations including high salt content and acids.

Benefits

  • 99% Removal of all free oil and settable solids
  • Versatile design
  • Low installation and maintenance costs
  • Solids storage capability
  • Easily modified for existing site systems

Vehicle Wash Oil/Water Separators

OWS Series # Typical Application Average Flowrate, GPM
Above Ground Systems
WB-GS Series Low Flow, hand wash 3-20
WB-GM Series Medium Flow 20-60
WB-AG Series Medium Flow, Low Solids 30-2000
WB-HP Series Medium-High Flow, Medium Solids 30-350
WB-SPT Series Medium Flow, High Solids 10-150
Below Ground Systems
WB-QB Series Medium-High Flow, Low Solids 35-4000

November 14, 2013

Clarifier Oil Water Separator in Mexico
The clarifier oil water separator used for the mining company in central Mexico.

Problem: A gold mine in central Mexico was modifying their vehicle maintenance facility and adding a wash bay for their heavy mining trucks and vehicles covered with solids, dirt, oil, and grease. The mining company contacted an engineering firm in Arizona who then contacted us for our wash bay expertise.

Solution: We worked with the engineering firm to help design the wash bay with the proper pad layout to accommodate the enormous vehicles, substantial wash water volumes and large amounts of solids. We also had to account for rainwater volumes since their wash bay was uncovered.

Our SPT-50 Clarifier Oil Water Separator System was a perfect fit since it was designed for treating wash water from industrial washing operations with large solids concentrations. It includes a stainless steel clarifier oil water separator that has both a clarifier section, which will remove all settable solids and an oil water separator section, which will remove all non-emulsified oil from the waste stream.

During construction of the wash pad and installation of the SPT-50, we continued to work with the engineering company so insure all tasks were completed properly. We provided all manuals and documentation in both Spanish and English so that as little information as possible was lost in translation. The client has reported that the SPT-50 has been working very well since installation.


September 18, 2012

In many cases, a below ground oil water separator is the best option due to space restrictions and layout. You can use gravity to drain into a below ground system and then into the sanitary sewer system so there is no need for pumps and controls. In other cases, a below ground system has been previously specified and it is not possible to change the specifications.


North Carolina

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At WashBaySolutions.com, we have been specializing in high tech, custom-engineered solutions to complex washing and wastewater issues since 1991.
+ 1 800-453-8639

WashbaySolutions.com

sales@washbaysolutions.com

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