Best Oil Water Separator Practices with Skimmer Systems

Today, oil-water separation is a top environmental and operational priority for industries everywhere. Whether it involves the wastewater from manufacturing processes, stormwater runoff, or contaminated water from industrial activity, implementation of the appropriate oil water separator, in conjunction with industrial skimmer systems, is the distinction between compliance and expensive noncompliance.

Understanding Oil Water Separation Fundamentals

Oil water separation relies on a simple principle; oil and water do not mix, due to differing densities. Oil will typically float on water because it has a lower specific gravity than water. Oil will always float to the surface, where it can more easily be removed. However, the world of industrial separation is much more complicated, and there are many factors that influence separation.

The effectiveness of your oil water separator will depend on critical factors such as: the type of oil and the viscosity of oil, water temperature, flow rates, and the influence of emulsifiers or surfactants that stabilize oil-water mixtures. Having an understanding of these factors will be vital to selecting the appropriate industrial skimmer system and using oil-water separation effectively.

Best Practices for Optimal Oil-Water Separation with Skimmers:

Achieving superior oil-water separation requires more than just installing a skimmer. It demands a holistic approach encompassing careful planning, strategic deployment, and diligent ongoing management.

Thorough System Assessment and Skimmer Selection

The first step towards effective separation is understanding the specific characteristics of your oily water stream and the environment in which the skimmer will operate.

Analyze Contaminants: Identify what type of oil you have (such as light GHCs, heavy greases, machining coolants, animal fats, etc.), the viscosity range, specific gravity of the oil, is it emulsifiable, any suspended solids, chips or floating. skimmer designs are optimized for different types of contaminants.

Determine Oil Load and Flow Dynamics: Account for ambient temperature, pH levels, and any corrosive or abrasive elements in the water that could impact material compatibility and skimmer durability.
Match Skimmer Design to Need: Select a skimmer system that is robust enough for your environment and designed to handle your specific oil characteristics. Consider features that allow for adaptation to fluctuating liquid levels, continuous operation, and efficient handling of varying oil viscosities.

Strategic Placement within the Separation System

The positioning of the skimmer is paramount to its effectiveness. An ideally placed skimmer will maximize oil recovery while minimizing water intake.

Find Quiescent Zones: Oil naturally separates and settles in zones of a tank or pit where the water is somewhat quiescent. A skimmer should be positioned in these quiescent zones, which are usually at the edges or corners of a tank or pit, at a safe distance away from the inflows or discharge point which causes turbulence.
Make Use of the Weir or Baffle: A baffle or weir can be used to create areas where oil can settle and collect if they are appropriately sized and the tank or pit is of sufficient size, before exiting. That will draw or guide the oil toward the skimmer suction, and help it develop a higher oil thickness to establish a greater oil volume for collection through skimming.
Maximize interface contact: For a floating skimmer and the suction inlet to remain in touch with the oil-water interface, consider designing the skimmer so it can maintain steady and accurate horizontal and vertical contact with the interface, even when the interface water level exhibits minor changes. Optimally this could maximize the oil collection while minimizing water collection.
Establish Maintenance Access: For politically correct best practices, the skimmer should be placed in a location that is easily accessible for inspection, cleaning and maintenance while minimizing work stoppage and ensuring worker safety.

Proactive Maintenance and Cleaning Regimen

A comprehensive and consistent maintenance schedule is critical for the longevity, reliability, and continuous efficiency of your industrial skimmer system.

Regularly Clean the Inlet and Floats: Build-up of debris, thick oil, or sludge on the skimmers inlet screens or floats can hinder the ability of the skimmer to properly locate itself at the oil-water interface and also reduce suction efficiency. Regular cleaning of these components will avoid blocking the skimmer and promote proper contact.
Pump and Hose Inspection: Check the pump, especially the impeller and seals, for wear, just as you'd check hoses for kinks, blockages, leaks, or fouling to prevent degrading conditions or improper suction or delivery. Check mechanical seals to ensure they were leak-free when installed and operating as designed.
Motor and Electrical: Check the skimmers motor and electrical connections to make sure they are all secure, functioning correctly and grounded (to stop that annoying buzz). If you have a variable speed drive, ensure that it operates when specified and is functional when operating.

Integration with Overall System Design and Safety

The skimmer system is part of a larger treatment train. Its effectiveness is enhanced when integrated thoughtfully into the broader oil-water separation and waste management strategy.

Efficient Recovered Oil Handling: Plan for the effective transfer of the skimmed oil, the temporary storage of skimmed oil, and then the final disposal or recycling of skimmed oil. A very concentrated skimmed product (little water) will make these downstream processes easier, resulting in lower disposal costs and less logistics.
Minimize Upstream Turbulence: You should design your entire system to also minimize any turbulence upstream of the skimmer. This will allow oil to coalesce and rise to the surface as long as possible, resulting in a clean, accessible oil layer for the skimmer.

Clearly Evidence-based Safety Protocols: Ensure that everyone involved in operating and maintaining the skimmer system is trained in the company's safety procedures, especially regarding corrosive or combustible materials, and electrical equipment in wet conditions. It is also to ensure that employees follow manufacturer's guidance on proper use and consideration of hazardous situations.

Conclusion

While peak performance of industrial skimmer systems for oil water separation is achieved through attention to design, implementation, and maintenance, it is important to follow some best practices and engage with ongoing technological developments that will help sustain efficient performance in an environmentally compliant, cost-efficient fashion.

In the end, the keys to oil water separation success through industrial skimmer systems are knowing the application, selecting the best technology, and providing detailed operational and maintenance procedures. Without ongoing monitoring and optimization, even oil water separation systems risk stagnation and losing effective performance over time.

Oil water separation is more than compliance. Responsible environmental stewardship should also be a priority while managing this process and seeking recoverable oil production revenues that can offset treatment costs. Industrial skimmer systems can be reliable and cost-effective approaches when properly implemented and managed to achieve oil water separation for both general and environmental engineers, and for a variety of applications.