Waste oil separators might not sound glamorous, but in an industrial setting, these pieces of equipment are invaluable. In very basic terms, its role is to separate oil from water, ensuring water can be recycled or disposed of correctly. At the same time, it gives you some reusable oil that protects the longevity of your machinery. Centrifuges are a big part of this process, so let’s learn how it all works and also explore the other options for water and oil separation.

What is a Waste Oil Separator?

So, what actually is a waste oil separator? There are different types of oil separators out there, and we’ll touch on them later. But for the purpose of this article, we are going to take a look at centrifugal oil separators. In general, all types of oil separators perform the same task – they just do it slightly differently. In an industrial environment, water often mixes with oil, rendering both unusable. By separating the two, you can reuse the oil for industrial processes. You can also reuse the water or dispose of it carefully without worrying about oil contamination.

Let’s take a look at the main types of waste oil separators.

The Different Types of Waste Oil Separators

Depending on your specific needs, you may need to use different types of oil separators. You might even have multiple types in use in many large-scale industrial environments. It all depends on the scope of your entire filtration system. Here are some common types:

• Gravity oil Separators: The most straightforward type uses gravity to make heavier water sink while oil floats to the top.
• Coalescing oil Separators: By pushing oil droplets together, this system creates larger droplets of oil that separate easily.
• Centrifugal oil Separators: (The main topic of this article) a centrifuge is basically a drum that spins rapidly. As a result of this spinning motion, oil and water separate easily.

How Does the Oil Separation Process Work?

Surprisingly, the oil and water separation process works quite simply. First, the entire waste mixture is fed into the centrifuge. Water is heavier than oil, so the fast spinning motion pushes all the water to the walls of the drum. The oil is lighter, so it gathers in the centre. While there is a lot of physics behind the process, it really is as simple as that. Once the water and oil are separated, each can be removed for either recycling or disposal.

The Benefits of Waste Oil Separators

There are considerable benefits to using oil separators in an industrial setting. Firstly, there are considerable cost savings. The separation process means you can reuse the water and oil, meaning less waste and lower operating costs.

Waste oil is also terrible for the environment, so properly removing it from the water before disposal is in line with modern environmental expectations. In fact, improper disposal of waste materials can result in massive fines. So, if you want to stay compliant with the law, all types of wastewater management should be included in your operations.

Looking for Quality Waste Oil Separators?

At Interfil, we’re your experts for industrial filtration and wastewater treatment systems. Waste oil separators are just part of our impressive range. We’ll help you find the perfect fit for your business, walking you through every step. Contact us today to find out how we can help improve your operations.

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Understanding Centrifuge Separation Techniques for Water Treatment
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