TPC - Coalescing Oil Water Separators

Solids entering the coalescing media encounter a 60° angle of inclination which is the optimum to promote the agglomeration of the fine particles and settling. The agglomerated solids slide down the inclined surface of the coalescing media and collect in the Sludge Thickening And Storage Chamber. The walls of the Sludge Thickening And Storage Chamber are sloped at 45° to ensure easy complete removal of the sludge.

The “oil free” effluent flows under a baffle over the effluent weir and into the effluent chamber. The treated effluent can either flow by gravity or be pumped to disposal or post treatment.

• The tank shell, baffles and lid are fabricated of fiberglass reinforced polyester resin. The exterior surfaces are covered with a continuous layer of chemical resistant, ultraviolet stabilized polyester gelcoat. All wetted fittings are of molded fiberglass construction and are an integral part of the separator.
• The standard coalescing media pack is constructed of PVC. Optional media packs are available constructed of CPVC or Polypropylene.
• All unit piping is of corrosion resistant PVC construction

• Automotive Maintenance
• Bus terminals
• Chemical plants
• Electro Plating
• Glass factories
• Lens grinding
• Oil fields & Refineries
• Pulp and paper mills
• Rolling mill quench oil
• Steel Mills
• Tramp oil separation
• Wire drawing operation
• Airports
• Bulk plants
• Cosmetic industry
• Metal Fabrication
• Grinding and
• Military bases
• Petroleum plants
• Railroad yards
• Steam cleaning
• Textile mills
• Utility companies
• Wash racks
• Truck maintenance terminals

Gravity Separation of non emulsified oil water mixtures is a common practice. To separate emulsified oils chemical pretreatment for emulsion breaking must precede the separator. The oil, solids and water phases have different specific gravities and will rise and settle at different rates. Applying Stokes Law we can predict the separation characteristics and required retention times. To increase the efficiency of separation and to allow the removal of fine oil droplets smaller than 150 micron a Coalescing Media is recommended.

By placing an oleophilic (oil attracting) material in the waste stream the efficiency of separation can be dramatically improved. The fine oil droplets are attracted to and impinge on the media surface. The fine droplets on the media surface coalesce or agglomerate to form larger droplets. The droplets continue to grow in size until they are large enough and buoyant enough to break free and rise to the liquid surface where they are skimmed or decanted. The coalescing process enables the removal of smaller oil droplets than it is possible to remove with a conventional gravity separator.

The effectiveness of the coalescing media is dependent upon the media shape, media surface area, liquid and oil density, bulk liquid velocity and direction of flow. The media must also be designed to facilitate the removal of suspended solids and sludges.

Operation:
The feed stream enters the Inlet Chamber and is evenly dispersed by a non clogging inlet distributor. Large or Heavy suspended solids fall out of suspension in the Inlet Chamber and collect in the Sludge Thickening And Storage Chamber. The bulk liquid flows across the Sludge Thickening And Storage Chamber through the coalescing media in the separation chamber.