Wastewater treatment plants, restaurateurs, and HVAC technicians and contractors may rely upon the use of an oil and water separator. A separating pump or tray is a device that will suspend oil droplets from passing through a chamber that is designated to transport water. Occasionally, an oil and water separator will need to be manually or mechanically cleaned.
Determining When Cleaning Is Needed
A wastewater separator, a waste holding tank, and a condenser unit may encounter oily substances on a routine basis. Oil is a material that could clog vital components and that could be harmful to the environment. Some oil and water separators are built into equipment. An example of this is a condenser that contains a filtering system that separates water from oil.
Some equipment is designed solely for the purpose of separating water, oil, and solids. An example of this is a tank that is used to dispose of grease. Equipment that contains a built-in separator may contain a gauge that will indicate when equipment needs to be cleaned.
An inspection of equipment that is designed solely for separating oil and water may indicate when cleaning is necessary. The contractor who installed the equipment can facilitate an inspection or can refer someone who will be able to perform the assessment. Grease that is caked along surfaces or murky water are signs that equipment needs to be serviced.
Cleaning And Disposal Methods
Manual cleaning can be conducted with a skimmer, a drain pan, and a degreasing agent. Any oil or solidified waste should be placed inside of a container. Waste items should be disposed of in the manner that is mandated within the region where the oil and water separator is used. Large machinery that is designed to separate oil and water will need to be turned off and will require adequate time to cool down.
Afterward, a vacuum can be used to collect oil and sludge. Filters, trays, and other accessories that are essential for the operation of the oil and water separator should be cleaned and dried, prior to being installed back into the equipment where they originally were located.
One way to stay on top of how often a pump or other oil and water separator equipment will need to be serviced is by keeping a logbook. This book can highlight how dirty the equipment tends to get and the amount of oil and sludge that is typically collected. Dates should be furnished for each service appointment.
For more information about oil and water separator cleaning, contact a local professional.
