Prediction of Oil Removal Efficeiency in Coalescing Modules of Oil-Water Separators

Abstract

Oil pollution is coming to the open waters and wastewater treatment plants mainly with runoff from the streets, filling-stations and other dispersed sources. With the aim to avoid negative impact on the environment, sufficient wastewater treatment technologies and methods have to be used. The main objective of this research - to enable prediction of oil/water separator's efficiency, while changing it’s technological factors (hydraulic load, separator’s nominal size, coalescing modules configuration and number, etc.). The oil/water separator’s efficiency was tested using the test apparatus, in accordance with the standard EN 858-1. Statistical methods for data evaluation and oil/water separator's efficiency prediction were used; as the result, the efficiency was improved 1.5 - 10 times. The main outcome of this research – instrument, enabling to design the efficient oil/water separator for specific conditions, bypassing experimental testing.