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

Waste water-oil separator

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6594178

Industrial waste water, containing oil, sand and other debris, flows into the separator via a sewer line. In a first phase of operation, solids are separated by mechanical filter means, such as a bar screen, and the water is separated by permitting the oil to rise to the surface of the oil-water mixture in a large settling chamber where turbulence is reduced by various baffles. The water in the settling chamber flows through a passageway formed near the bottom of the tank by a vertical wall extending to the top of the tank. This oil-free water is continuously removed and directed to a settling pool until phase two begins. Phase two begins when the oil floating on top of the water in the settling chamber reaches a predetermined depth. The sewer and water discharge valves are closed. Liquid is then pumped into the bottom of the settling chamber to raise the liquid level in that chamber. The liquid level is slowly and continuously raised until the oil floating on the surface flows over the top of discharge weirs mounted in the top of the settling chamber. This oil is then channelled to a suitable oil storage container. When a sufficient amount of oil has been removed, phase two is terminated, and phase one is initiated. After the termination of phase two, sand and other solids which have accumulated in the bottom of the settling chamber are mechanically removed.

Assignee:
Tidwell Construction Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4238333
OSTI ID:
6594178
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English