What We Treat
Oils
Oils Overview
Oils originate from a variety of both natural & synthetic sources, including: oil production, food processing, and machining lubrication. When discharged to the environment, oils can float on the surface, creating a sheen on the water and a dangerous environment for those who rely on the air/water interface. High concentrations of oils can also be problematic for sewer discharges and those looking to recycle their water.
How We Treat for Oils
In water treatment, oils are most commonly classified as either free (mostly hydrophobic) or emulsified (some hydrophilic properties). Free oils can be separated by a number of phase separation methods that take advantage of their hydrophobic nature. Effective removal of emulsified oils often requires some sort of disruption to the hydrophilic nature of the compound that wants to keep it dissolved in solution.
Important Factors We Consider in System Design:
- Steady state vs. oil spill influent design criteria
- Ratio of free to emulsified oils
- Nature and properties of surfactants used, if any
- Whether the oil can be separated in a way that is pure enough for resale
- Whether or not cutting fluids are utilized in an upstream process
How We Treat for Oils
In water treatment, oils are most commonly classified as either free (mostly hydrophobic) or emulsified (some hydrophilic properties). Free oils can be separated by a number of phase separation methods that take advantage of their hydrophobic nature. Effective removal of emulsified oils often requires some sort of disruption to the hydrophilic nature of the compound that wants to keep it dissolved in solution.
Important Factors We Consider in System Design:
- Steady state vs. oil spill influent design criteria
- Ratio of free to emulsified oils
- Nature and properties of surfactants used, if any
- Whether the oil can be separated in a way that is pure enough for resale
- Whether or not cutting fluids are utilized in an upstream process
