Is Your Oil Water Separator Being Properly Maintained?
If your business happens to generate industrial wastewater as part of its operations, chances are you have an oil water separator. An oil water separator is a basically a tank that separates oils, grease, cooking oils, light petroleum products, oily coated solids, and hydrocarbons from the wastewater. The tanks are made from either carbon or stainless steel and can be manufactured in both rectangular and cylindrical designs. Once the water is separated from the other materials, it becomes non-hazardous and is safe to discharge into an approved discharge point such as the sewer.
Oil water separators are used for a plethora of commercial and industrial applications. They are used to treat a wide variety of contaminants that are found in water such as dissolved oil, emulsified oil, free floating oil, and even suspended solids. The oil water separator is certainly a crucial piece of equipment in terms of staying in regulatory compliance with the water authority in your municipality. It was also a considerable financial investment when initially purchased. In essence, your business relies on the oil water separator to perform its duties correctly whenever called upon.
If the tank is not working properly, you may very well be facing some significant fines. In some cases, the entire business can be shut down until the tank is back up and working as it should be, which can take days if not weeks. Just think about the negative impact that could have on your business. You could be losing tens of thousands of dollars in revenue. The good news is that there are companies that specialize in inspecting, cleaning and maintaining oil water separators.
The question at hand is how often should you have your oil water separator serviced in order to avoid costly repairs, and ensure in-spec effluent water? The typical service intervals typically range anywhere from three to six months depending on the exact type of separator tank, the amount of oil and sludge that needs to be removed, and the volume of water that needs to be processed. It is always a smart idea to consult with a professional oil water separator service provider in order to receive the best advice regarding the frequency for servicing your particular unit.
Do not service the tank yourself. It is a job that should only be performed by an experienced professional that has the knowledge and tools to do the job the right way. The technician will check to make sure that the floating skimmer is working perfectly, there is zero damage to the interconnection hose, and there are no obstructions to the skimmer port. They will also check and clean the debris strainer, cyclone, waste oil tank, and oil separator liner. In addition, a professional technician will also check the automatic operation of the pump, level switches, valves, and pressure gauges.
If your business utilizes a coalescing oil water separator, the technician will inspect the water flow and build up of oil. He or she will also check the operation of the pump including the level switches, and check and clean the waste oil tank and separator in order to remove sludge and waste. Last but certainly not least, the technician will drain the separator, remove the media packs, and clean them with a power washer.
If you have any questions about oil water separator maintenance and cleaning, or would like to schedule service we are happy to help. Jolin Paving & Excavating, Inc. is your New England connection for a vast variety of environmentally related services. Our company has been serving Boston Massachusetts, Southern NH, VT & ME as well as Northern CT & RI since 1952. Please Contact us to learn more today.
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