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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Automatic system for trapping and removing waste hydrocarbons from water

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6034977

The subject invention comprises systems for the automatic removal of waste hydrocarbons from water. Waste water enters a primary vessel through a baffled inlet chamber, allowing solids to fall to the bottom of a main collection chamber as the waste hydrocarbons float upwardly on the water in this chamber. The separated water flows out of the chamber into the sewer system or other discharge areas. When the oil level in the primary vessel reaches a predetermined level, a control system allows water to enter the bottom of the main collection chamber, closes off the normally open water discharge outlet. The entering water forces the waste hydrocarbon level upwardly, until gravity forces the waste hydrocarbons out the waste discharge outlet into a storage vessel. When the waste is completely discharged, normal waste waste flow-through is resumed. Upon filling the storage vessel with waste hydrocarbons, all operations are suspended until the stored hydrocarbons are pumped out.

Assignee:
TIC; ERA-04-049014; EDB-79-100758
Patent Number(s):
US 4145286
OSTI ID:
6034977
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English