What Industries Use Below Ground Oil Water Separators?

Oil Water Separators in Car Wash Applications - What Industries Use Below Ground Oil Water Separators?

Table of Contents

Have you ever thought about What Industries Use Below Ground Oil Water Separators? or how different industries handle the important task of separating oil from water in their wastewater? Below ground oil water separators (OWS) play a key role in this process. They are used in many sectors, from cars to oil and gas. These systems help facilities meet strict environmental rules and support green operations by handling oily wastewater well.

In today’s world, where caring for the environment is more important than ever, it’s key to know which industries use below ground oil water separators. This knowledge helps companies aim for both efficiency and following the law.

Key Takeaways

  • Below ground oil water separators are vital for wastewater treatment across multiple industrial sectors.
  • Industries such as automotive, oil and gas, and construction frequently install these systems for regulatory compliance.
  • Coalescing separators enhance separation efficiency, enabling smaller oil droplets to merge into larger ones.
  • The global market for oil water separators is projected to grow significantly, highlighting their increasing importance.
  • Technological advancements are improving the efficiency of oil water separators, leading to wider adoption.
  • Compliance with environmental regulations influences industry demand for efficient oil water separation solutions.

Introduction to Below Ground Oil Water Separators

Below ground oil water separators are key in treating wastewater with oil and contaminants. They use gravity and coalescence to separate oil from water. This meets environmental standards. Industries like steel, mining, food processing, and heavy equipment washdown use them for wastewater management.

Definition and Functionality

Oil water separators handle wastewater with oil, emulsified oil, and solids. They have advanced features like clarified tank designs for high solids separation. Cross-linked polyethylene cone-bottom tanks with steep slopes improve the separation process.

This leads to cleaner effluent, reducing the load on treatment equipment. Knowing how oil water separators work is key for industries looking to cut costs and meet regulations.

Importance in Industrial Applications

Oil water separators are more than just for compliance; they help reduce environmental impact. They are vital for industries with oil-contaminated wastewater, lowering fines and legal penalties. Their durable design and modular flexibility offer adaptable solutions for various treatment needs.

For companies aiming for sustainability, investing in systems like Freytech’s enhances efficiency and eco-friendliness.

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Industries That Utilize Oil Water Separators

Oil water separators are used in many sectors. Each industry has its own needs for managing oily wastewater. These tools are key for protecting the environment and following rules. Here are some main areas where they are used.

Automotive and Fleet Maintenance

Car service stations and fleet maintenance rely on oil water separators. They handle wastewater from washing and fixing cars. These separators keep harmful oil out of sewers.

They help businesses be green and follow strict rules.

Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry has big environmental challenges. Oil water separators are key for managing water from drilling. They help stop oil pollution during exploration and extraction.

Using these separators helps meet environmental rules. This protects our natural resources.

Construction and Heavy Equipment

Construction sites produce a lot of greasy water from washing equipment. Oil water separators are vital here. They treat runoff and help meet environmental standards.

Using these separators also makes construction more sustainable. It reduces the environmental impact of heavy machinery.

Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Standards

In the industrial world, following rules is key, mainly for water management. Companies must stick to strict rules on oil in water, like in North America. The limit is 10 Parts per Million (10 PPM). This rule helps keep water clean and protects nature, showing why below ground oil water separators are important.

Understanding North American Hydrocarbon Discharge Limits

Below ground oil water separators help meet strict oil in water rules. They are made to remove oil well, keeping water quality high. Following these rules helps businesses stay legal and protect the environment.

Importance of Meeting 10 PPM Standards

Keeping to the 10 PPM standard is big for companies that release wastewater. Oil water separators help by removing oil, avoiding fines and harm to the environment. Keeping them in good shape is key to following rules. This shows a company’s dedication to caring for the planet.

Benefits of Enhanced Coalescing Technology

Enhanced coalescing technology brings big improvements to oil water separators. It makes commercial oil water separators very good at separating oils from water. They can remove oils down to 5 PPM, which is very small.

This is key for industries that need to follow strict environmental rules. It helps them keep their wastewater clean and meet legal standards.

Achieving 5 PPM Separation Efficiency

Being able to separate oils down to 5 PPM is a big plus. It makes the water coming out of the system much cleaner. This is good for the environment and helps companies avoid fines.

Using this technology helps companies run more sustainably. It’s a win-win for both the environment and the business.

Ability to Separate Emulsified Oils

Another great thing about enhanced coalescing systems is how well they handle emulsified oils. These oils are hard to separate and can cause problems. But, advanced systems can handle them easily.

This means businesses can keep their wastewater cleaner and spend less on maintenance. It also means their equipment lasts longer and they meet today’s environmental standards.

Applications of Freytech Inc. Oil Water Separators

Freytech Inc. oil water separators work well in many industries. They are great at separating different types of hydrocarbons. This helps keep the environment safe and makes operations more efficient.

Separating Various Hydrocarbons

Freytech Inc. oil water separators can handle many substances. They can separate motor oil, diesel, and gasoline. This is very important for industries that need to meet strict environmental rules in North America.

Thanks to advanced technology, these separators can remove oil from water very effectively. They can get oil levels down to less than 5 PPM, even when the water starts with up to 2000 PPM of oil.

Custom Solutions for Specific Industries

Every industry has its own challenges with wastewater. Freytech Inc. provides custom solutions for different sectors like automotive, oil and gas, and construction. Their tailored industrial oil water separators help clients work better, reduce waste, and follow local environmental laws.

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The Role of Optional Oil Skimmers

Optional oil skimmers are key to making oil water separators work better. They remove oil from the top of wastewater, ensuring it’s clean. These skimmers keep working to pull oil to the surface and move it to a container.

This process greatly boosts how well oil skimmers work. It allows for oil recovery with up to 99.7% purity. This makes the oil good enough to recycle.

How Oil Skimmers Function

Oil skimmers use different designs to separate oil from water efficiently. Models like belt skimmers and tube skimmers meet various needs. They handle different amounts of fluid and can quickly respond to spills.

The design of oil water separators helps these skimmers remove up to 90% of free oil. This is very helpful in industrial settings. It helps keep operations in line with rules and improves the quality of fluids used.

Benefits of 99.7% Pure Oil Separation

Separating oil to such a high purity has many benefits. It meets environmental rules and cuts costs for managing coolant and oil. Oil skimmers help extend the life of cutting fluids by up to 60%, saving money.

Also, better coolant quality means tools wear less, up to 30% less. This makes machining more efficient in many industries. With more focus on green practices, oil skimmers are essential for effective oil separation.

Maintenance and Longevity of Oil Water Separators

Keeping oil water separators in good shape is key to their long life and effectiveness. It’s important to choose systems that are easy to maintain.

Reusable Coalescing Media

Freytech’s oil water separators use reusable coalescing media. This media makes the separation process better. It can be spray washed to last longer, saving money on replacements.

These advanced parts help industries perform better and meet environmental rules.

Easy Maintenance for Long-Term Use

Regular checks and cleanings are vital for oil water separators. They are made to work with little downtime. This means they can keep operating smoothly even when being maintained.

Simple cleaning steps and sticking to a maintenance schedule are key. They keep the system reliable and manage wastewater well. This approach keeps operations clean and protects the environment.

Economic Benefits of Oil Water Separators

Oil water separators offer big economic gains to many industries. They play a key role in getting oil back from wastewater. This helps companies save money on disposal and can even make money from the oil they recover.

These systems make operations more efficient and boost profits. This shows how important oil water separators are for businesses.

Cost Savings Through Efficient Oil Recovery

Using oil water separators helps industries save money. They manage oil waste better, cutting down on harmful discharges. They also get valuable oil back, which can be reused or sold.

This efficient process lowers costs. It helps companies avoid buying new oil and reduces treatment expenses. This adds to their profits.

Recycling as a Valuable Commodity

Recycling is becoming more important as companies focus on sustainability. Oil water separators turn waste into something useful. This makes money while protecting the environment.

Seeing waste management as a chance for growth is key. Investing in these systems helps businesses and the planet. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Conclusion: The Impact of Efficient Oil Water Management

Efficient oil water management is key today, thanks to below ground oil water separators. They stop oil pollution in wastewater. They also help meet strict rules like MARPOL Annex I, which limits oil in bilge water to 15 ppm.

Advanced tech, like Freytech Inc.’s, makes these systems work better. This meets the rules more effectively.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

Below ground OWS do more than follow rules. They show a company’s care for the environment. As industries get checked more for their impact, using these systems is a must.

They help keep water clean, protecting nature. They also meet the need for green practices in work. This is important for a future where work and nature can live together.

In short, managing oil water well is more important than ever. It helps companies reduce their harm to the environment. The tech behind these separators lets industries meet new laws and public wishes. It shows that being efficient can also mean being kind to the planet.

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FAQ

What are below ground OWS and What Industries Use Below Ground Oil Water Separators?

Below ground oil water separators (OWS) are special devices. They separate oil from water in contaminated wastewater. This ensures they meet environmental rules.

What industries utilize oil water separators?

Many industries use oil water separators. These include automotive, oil and gas, construction, food processing, and heavy machinery. They help manage wastewater and meet strict discharge standards.

How do oil water separators work?

Oil water separators use gravity and advanced coalescing technology. They separate oil and suspended solids based on specific gravities. This results in cleaner effluent.

What are the regulatory compliance standards for OWS?

In North America, oil water separators must meet certain standards. They must ensure treated effluent has hydrocarbons below 10 Parts per Million (10 PPM). This is to comply with environmental regulations.

What are the benefits of enhanced coalescing technology in oil water separators?

Enhanced coalescing technology improves separation efficiency. It can achieve a separation of 5 PPM. This effectively isolates even trace amounts of emulsified oils. It helps minimize environmental impact and the risk of fines.

How does Freytech Inc. customize oil water separators for various industries?

Freytech Inc. offers tailored solutions. They can effectively separate a wide range of hydrocarbons. This addresses specific wastewater challenges faced by different industries.

What role do optional oil skimmers play in oil water separators?

Optional oil skimmers enhance oil water separators. They mechanically remove separated oil from the surface of the wastewater. This achieves up to 99.7% purity for recycling and reuse.

How important is maintenance for oil water separators?

Proper maintenance is key for oil water separators. Freytech’s reusable coalescing media allows for extended performance. This results in minimal downtime and enhances productivity.

What economic benefits do industries gain from using OWS?

Industries gain economically by capturing and recycling oils from wastewater. This reduces disposal costs. It can also provide revenue from reclaimed oil, turning waste into a valuable commodity.

Why is efficient oil water management vital for industrial operations?

Efficient oil water management is vital for environmental concerns. It ensures compliance with regulations. It also reduces the ecological impact of industrial activities through sustainable practices.

FreyTech's Line of Quality Below Ground Oil Water Separators

EcoLine B

Enhanced Coalescing Oil Water Separators for installation inside new or to RETROFIT existing concrete or steel tanks. This series is extremely versatile in that it can be installed inside existing above or below ground round, square or rectangular tanks. Instead of shipping heavy concrete / steel tanks cross country, simply procure a standard off the shelf tank locally and connect our turnkey separator kit to the outlet pipe inside your tank. 

 
This unique solution can save operators substantial time and expense since they can now utilize an existing tank instead of having to replace it with costly new tanking systems. Separates free non-emulsified oil, hydrocarbons, diesel, gasoline, fuels, from water to below 5 parts per million (PPM) guaranteed. Affordable small units for flow rates starting between 50 gallons per minute (GPM) to over 1,100 GPM. 
 
The filter / coalescing media can be washed by hand with a hose for years of trouble free efficient use. Maintenance is conducted above ground without having to enter tank making it more affordable, quicker, cleaner and safer. Mechanical automatic shut off valve included to prevent accidental discharge in the event the unit is not maintained on a timely basis. No electrical power requirements.

Typical Fields of Application

  • Gasoline stations and other fueling facilities.
  • Electrical transformers, power generation plants.
  • Oil storage areas.
  • Transportation fueling systems, diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, etc.
  • Surface and washing water from petrol stations, car wash and
  • repair workshops, pressure washer cleaning, wash water recycling.
  • Treatment of industrial process waste water.
  • Treatment of waste water from oil-removal plants.
  • Purification upstream to emulsion breakers, ultra- and microfiltration.
  • Refineries – extremely hot oily water applications.

Oil Water Separation Process Description for Ecoline B Series

Following, we provide technical information and calculations regarding oil water separation with the EcoLine B 3 (50 GPM / 3 L/S flow rate)  oil water separator.

Stokes Law and other considerations as applied to Freytech oil water separators.

The oil/water mixture flows into the tank where there is sufficient dwell time for some of the solids / mud (if any are present) to sink to the bottom of this section of the tank. The oil water mixture now contains fewer solids as it continues downstream to the section of the tank where the coalescing media panel is installed. Some of the larger oil droplets present in the waste stream will start to rise to the surface and form an oil layer or a sheen floating on the surface of the water.
The wastewater still contains small oil droplets which have not had enough retention time to rise to the water surface and this waste stream continues its flow downstream and enters the coalescing media.

What actually separates the oil from the water is our oleophilic media made of washable and durable reticular polyurethane-polyether material. Oil is attracted to this media. As soon as each oil droplet in the waste stream comes into contact with the coalescing media, it is separated and immediately collides with other oil droplets which are also being simultaneously separated.

As these oil droplets continue to collide with each other, they coalesce together forming larger oil droplets and then detach from the media and rise to the water surface because of their specific weight (oil being lighter than water). 

The reticular polyurethane-polyether material which separates the oil from the water has a surprisingly large surface area given its composition and consistency.

The formula for the minimum effective surface of the coalescing media is A = 1.4 x NS m² Surface (in m²) = 1. 4 x Nominal size.
A conventional 50 GPM / 3 l/s treatment flow rate below ground separator has: 3 x 1.4 = 4.2 m2 (45 ft2 ) of minimum required coalescing surface area. The Freytech Inc. EcoLine B-ADD 3 model has  9 m2 (97 ft2) of effective coalescing surface area.

ECOSORP

FOR EMULSIFIED AND DISSOLVED OIL: (ECOSORP BELOW 1 PPM)

The EcoSorp oil water separator is for use to obtain below 1 part per million (PPM) separation efficiencies. It is for use with free or PHYSICALLY EMULSIFIED AND DISSOLVED OIL by adsorption from water. This represents exceptionally clean separation. The EcoSorp requires filter / coalescing media cartridge replacement since it works through adsorption and the media becomes saturated over time (typically once a year). Recommended for use downstream of a Freytech Inc. above or below ground 5 PPM oil water separator to prolong its useful life. The media can absorb up to 22 lbs (10 kg) of oil. Units available with flow rates up to 100 gallons per minute (GPM) / 380 liters per minute (L/M). No electrical power requirements.

Typical Fields of Application

  • For emulsified and dissolved oil. 

HIGH FLOW RATE OIL WATER SEPARATOR

Each XL Separator Panel can effectively treat oily water flow rates ranging from 320 GPM (20 l/s) to 640 GPM (40 l/s). Achieves 5 Part per Million (PPM) separation of free non-emulsified oil. By far, the most affordable method for large industrial oil-water separation since panels can be installed side by side like windowpanes in a submerged cross-wall in locally procured concrete or steel tanks. This unique solution represents a huge advantage over shipping conventional bulky separators since there is no limit to the flow rate that can be treated and the panels are washable and reusable. Maintenance is conducted from above ground making it safer, cleaner, quicker and of course, more affordable. Each panel requires 1 yard / 1 meter of submerged wall space. Optional polishing system available to also separate trace emulsified oil down to 0.1 PPM.

With the optional ADD Skimmer, the oil being separated by the XL Panels is mechanically and automatically collected 24/7 and drained by gravity to a separate receptacle. The skimmed oil will contain only 0.3% of water thus providing the operator with an outstanding 99.7 % concentration of pure used oil. This represents a significant advantage over other skimmers in that the operator no longer has to pay for the separated oil and the excess water to be removed from the separator by septic truck and shipped/ treated in a wastewater treatment plant. The operator can even sell or donate the pure separated oil since it is now possible to skim it free of water from the separator on site.