Navigating the Impact and Solutions of Oil Contamination with Advanced Oil Separators

Oil separators are pivotal devices in industrial settings, designed to extract oil, grease, and hydrocarbons from water or wastewater. 

Operating on principles like gravity or centrifugation, these separators ensure compliance with environmental regulations and prevent ecological harm. 

Let's explore the concise definition of oil separators and understand their significance across diverse industries.

Definition of Oil Separators

Oil separators, also known as oil-water separators or interceptors, are specialized tools that remove oil contaminants from water sources. 

Employing mechanisms like gravity or coalescence, these devices are crucial in preventing the release of pollutants into water bodies.

Tailored to specific applications, oil separators come in various types, addressing the unique needs of different industries.

Effect of Oil Spillage on Environment

Oil spillage wreaks havoc on the environment, with dire consequences for various ecosystems and human health. The impact is vast and includes:

1. Marine and Aquatic Life:

• Immediate Mortality: Coats marine life, causing immediate death.
• Long-term Effects: Lingering residues harm ecosystems and disrupt the food chain.

1. Terrestrial Ecosystems:

• Soil Contamination: Affects plant growth, microbial activity, and biodiversity.
• Groundwater Pollution: Contaminates groundwater, threatening drinking water sources.

1. Impact on Birds and Wildlife:

• Feather and Fur Contamination: Harms insulation and buoyancy.
• Disruption of Reproduction: Interferes with reproductive processes, affecting egg development.

1. Human Health Concerns:

• Airborne Toxins: Evaporating toxins pose respiratory risks.
• Contaminated Seafood: Threatens health by polluting seafood in affected areas.

1. Economic Impact:

• Loss of Livelihood: Fishing and tourism industries suffer substantial economic losses.

1. Ecological Disruption:

• Disruption of Habitats: Harms vital habitats, leading to a decline in biodiversity.

1. Challenges in Cleanup:

• Technical Difficulties: Cleanup efforts face complexity, influenced by oil type, weather, and response strategies.

Preventing oil spills is imperative, requiring stringent regulations and responsible industry practices to protect the environment, ecosystems, and human well-being.

So what is the solution?

The remedy to combat oil contamination lies in the implementation of a "Light Oil Separator System." These gravity-based oil-water separators are designed to effectively separate light liquids, including mineral oils, fuels, hydrocarbons, and suspended solids, from polluted water before its discharge into the sewer system.

This system targets liquids with a density less than 0.95 g/cm3, making them practically insoluble and unsaponifiable. The device comprises a separator, a sludge trap, and a sampling point, working collectively to ensure efficient oil separation.

Types of Conventional Oil Separators:

1. Conventional Gravity Separators (API): Gravity-based separators used in various industries to remove oil and solids from wastewater.
2. Parallel Plate Gravity Separators: Utilizes inclined plates to increase surface area, enhancing the gravitational separation of oil and solids from water.
3. Hydrocyclone Water Oil Separator System: Centrifugal force is employed to separate oil and water, with cyclonic motion facilitating efficient separation.
4. Flotation Separators: Relies on buoyancy principles by introducing air or gas to create bubbles that capture and lift oil particles to the surface.
5. Baffle Separation: Involves the use of physical barriers or baffles within a tank to slow water flow, allowing oil and solids to settle at different levels for easier removal.

Each separator type offers unique advantages, and the choice depends on factors like contaminants, wastewater volume, and required separation efficiency. Industries select specific types based on their processes and environmental compliance needs.

Disadvantage of Conventional systems:

1. Larger Tank Sizes: Conventional systems often require larger tank sizes, occupying more space and potentially limiting their applicability in constrained environments.
2. High Outlet Parameters: The outlet parameters of conventional systems frequently exceed 100 ppm, conflicting with regulatory standards that often mandate levels below 20 ppm, compromising compliance with environmental regulations.
3. Extended Oil Separation Time: Conventional systems may take a longer time to effectively separate oil from water, impacting operational efficiency and potentially delaying the overall treatment process.
4. Inversely Proportional Outlet Parameters: The outlet parameters of conventional systems exhibit an inverse relationship with the inlet speed of wastewater. Higher inlet speeds can lead to elevated outlet parameters, posing challenges in maintaining desired water quality.
5. Dependency on Regular Maintenance: Without regular maintenance, conventional systems are prone to allowing more oil to pass through the outlet, diminishing their effectiveness over time and potentially leading to environmental consequences.
6. Limited Environmental Friendliness: Conventional systems may not align with environmentally friendly practices due to their design and operation, posing challenges for industries striving to adopt sustainable and eco-conscious solutions.

Advantage of New Technology Oil Separators

1. Prefabricated Design: The new technology oil separators boast a prefabricated design, streamlining installation processes and reducing setup times for enhanced operational efficiency.
2. Compact Sizes: With a focus on space optimization, these separators come in compact sizes, making them suitable for installations in constrained or limited spaces.
3. Low Outlet Parameters: The outlet parameters of new technology oil separators are consistently maintained at or below 5 ppm, aligning with stringent environmental regulations and ensuring high-quality treated water.
4. Automatic Closure Unit: Featuring an automatic closure unit, these separators respond to larger oil accumulations within the system by blocking the outlet. This proactive measure maintains water quality within defined limits, preventing potential environmental harm.
5. Integrated Sensors for BMS: New technology oil separators come equipped with sensors that can be seamlessly integrated into Building Management Systems (BMS). This integration enhances monitoring and control capabilities, allowing for real-time data analysis and efficient system management.
6. Environmentally Friendly: Designed with a commitment to environmental sustainability, these oil separators incorporate eco-friendly practices in both their construction and operation. This aligns with the growing emphasis on adopting green technologies and minimizing ecological impact.

Coalescence functional principle

Automatic closing device (Floater) functional principle:

Real-world Examples of Oil Separator Implementations

Background:

Savita Oils Ltd., a transformer oil manufacturing company with a manufacturing unit in Silvassa, faced a significant challenge at its tanker refilling station. 

Before Oil Separator Installation:

• Oil spillage during tanker refilling operations.
• Wastewater, containing oil, flowed into nearby rice paddies during the rainy season.
• Annual compensation of Rs. 12.0 lakh paid to farmers due to oil contamination.

Savita Oils Ltd.- Before Oil Separator Installation

Solution:

• Savita Oils Ltd. enlisted the expertise of ACO for a comprehensive solution.
• A site survey was conducted to assess the situation.
• Calculations were made based on the total factory catchment area and rainfall intensity to determine the required oil separator size.
• ACO recommended a Class-I category oil separator with a capacity of 65 liters per second.
• The total cost, including a cast in situ tank and internal parts of the oil separator, amounted to Rs. 11.5 lakh.

Implementation and Results:

• During the first rain after installation, wastewater was tested post-treatment, revealing an outlet water with an oil content of only 4 ppm.
• Farmers were able to cultivate rice as the wastewater from the plant no longer contained oil particles.
• As a result, the company did not have to pay any compensation to farmers for oil contamination during the rainy season.
• Return on Investment (ROI) was approximately one year, showcasing the economic viability of the oil separator implementation.

Savita Oils Ltd.- After Oil Separator Installation

This illustrates the successful implementation of an oil separator, not only mitigating environmental impact but also saving the company substantial compensation costs. 

It highlights the importance of proactive environmental management in industrial settings, showcasing how technological solutions can lead to both ecological and economic benefits.

How can Aquamech help:

In conclusion, Aquamech's advanced oil separators offer effective solutions to the pervasive challenges of oil contamination in industrial settings. 

Overcoming conventional issues associated with oil separators, such as large tank sizes and environmental concerns, Aquamech's innovative technology provides compact sizes, lower outlet parameters, automatic closure units, and environmental friendliness.

Real-world examples demonstrate the tangible benefits of Aquamech's oil separator systems, showcasing their proactive, efficient, and environmentally friendly nature. 

The systems not only align with regulatory requirements but also contribute to the preservation of ecosystems, protection of human health, and the sustainable operation of industries. 

As industries recognize the importance of responsible environmental management, Aquamech emerges as a valuable partner in safeguarding our planet for future generations.

Feel free to contact our design head Navdeep Singh Sethi or contact us at sales@aquamech.co.in.