Coalescence of emulsified wastes by fibrous bed

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:6188389

Chieu, J N; Schechter, R S; Humenick, M J; Gloyna, E F

The feasibility of using a fibrous bed coalescer to separate emulsified oil from industrial waste streams was studied using a coalescer unit with an inside dimension of six inches. Coalescing media used included polyester, polypropylene, glass mats, sand and glass wool. Significance of wetting property was studied. Four types of oily wastes were tested under similar conditions to determine the effect of fluid properties on contact angle, interfacial tension and oil viscosity. Greater than 90% removal of oil emulsions was possible with a coalescer bed operating at a flow rate of 10 gpm/ft/sup 2/, a depth of 2.5 cm, and an influent oil concentration not exceeding 100 to 300 ppM. Fibers preferentially wetted by oil were most effective in removing oil-water emulsions. A minimum oil saturation and bed depth were necessary for adequate coalescence. Removal efficiency increased as the fibrous bed began to saturate with oil. Coalescer performance decreases with an increase in filtering velocity, an increase in influent oil concentration, and a decrease in interfacial tension. No significant differences in coalescer performance were found as a result of viscosity. Existing models which attempt to predict the headloss and filter coefficient were compared. (PSB)

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Austin (USA). Center for Research in Water Resources
• OSTI ID: 6188389
• Report Number(s): CRWR-126; EHE-75-05; ON: DE83901597
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
424000 -- Engineering-- Pollution Control Equipment-- (1980-1989)
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADDITIVES
AGGLOMERATION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COALESCENCE
CONTROL
DEMULSIFICATION
DEMULSIFIERS
EQUIPMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FIBERGLASS
FIBERS
MINERAL WOOL
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYPROPYLENE
SAND
WASTE OILS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL