How does the API oil water separator work?
The API separator is a gravity separation device that works on the principle of Stokes Law, which defines the rise velocity of an oil particle based on its density and size. Therefore, the design of the API separator is based on the difference in the specific gravity of the oil to be separated and the wastewater.
What is API in water treatment?
An API oil–water separator is a device designed to separate gross amounts of oil and suspended solids from industrial wastewater produced at oil refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical plants, natural gas processing plants and other industrial oily water sources.
How do you service an oil water separator?
Oil Water Separator Maintenance
- Turn off the influent water to the unit.
- Open the unit cover.
- Remove any oil and dispose of it in a way that complies with company and legal procedures.
- Drain the water from the separator.
- Measure the depth of the leftover solids and write it down.
- If necessary, dispose of the solids.
What does API separator stand for?
American Petroleum Institute
API (American Petroleum Institute) Separators are frequently used in the treatment of refinery wastewater that has been contaminated by oil and oil-bearing sludge. Separators use the difference in specific gravity to allow heavier liquids to settle below lighter liquids.
What is corrugated plate interceptor?
The Corrugated Plate Interceptor is a gravity separator. The CPI is designed to separate oily waste water in the lighter oily fraction and the heavier water fraction. The plate packs create an effective separation surface up to 50 times the footprint of the CPI. • Simple in use.
What is API 12j?
This specification covers minimum requirements for the design, fabrication, and shop testing of oil-field type oil and gas separators and/or oil-gas-water separators used in the production of oil and/or gas, and usually located but not limited to some point on the producing flowline between the wellhead and pipeline.
What is the separation of oil from water?
Two immiscible liquids, oil and water, can be separated by using Separating Funnel. The mixture of oil and water forms two separate layers because they are completely insoluble in each other. Oil forms the upper layer while water forms lower.
How are API oil water separators based on?
The API separator design is based on the American Petroleum Institute (API) Monographs on Refinery Environmental Control, Design and Operation of Oil-Water Separators. The flow capacities of the design are based on an influent of fresh water and No. 2 fuel oil at 40°F operating temperature.
What are oil and water separators in Chapter 5?
SPCC GUIDANCE FOR REGIONAL INSPECTORS 5-9 December 16, 2013 Chapter 5: Oil/Water Separators Figure 5-6: Enhanced gravity oil/water separator. OWS are flow-through equipment in which wastewater enters the separator and treated water exits the separator typically on a continual basis.
How are oil droplets separated in a gravity separator?
Enhanced gravity separators allow the separation of smaller oil droplets within confined spaces. These separators use a variety of coalescing media and small diameter cartridges that enhance laminar flow and separation of smaller oil droplets that accumulate on the separator surface for removal.
How are oil separators exempt from SPCC requirements?
Separators are exempt from all SPCC requirements in accordance with §112.1(d)(6) and do not count toward facility storage capacity. Separators that are used as part of a secondary containment system and are not intended for oil storage or use do not themselves require secondary containment and do not count toward facility storage capacity.
