Quickly detect oil in cooling water

This has always been a problem when discharging waste water to an open enviroment. Why not replace the shell and tube oil coolers with stainless steel plate and frame coolers. This will eliminate the chance of contamination of the discharge water. it's an easy fix and a lot cheaper than haveing the EPA knocking on your door. If your using domestic or river water for oil cooling your already saving $$, so this is an easy fix. Plus you don't have to worry about the condition or calibration of your monitoring equipment. If this is still an issue with the "uninformed", you can always use a secondary loop between the oil circuit and the river water. With the close approach of the plate and frame, you will have no problem cooling the oil as most screw compressors have their low oil limits set around 110-120 degrees F. Any questions contact me at ggw@lmnic.com

Dear Wendell, A possible solution to detect minimal quantities of ammonia or other chemicals substances is a electronic nose. Read more on http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/06oct_enos e.htm . Other solution is an UV fluorescent pigment mixed with oil, that can be detected by a specific sensor. read more on http://www.sensorsmag.com/articles/0604/42/main.sh tml . Finally, i agree with Gary that is best to prevent instead to cry. I recommend a water intermediary circuit between the compressor and the river water or the Gary's solution. Best regards, Janssen.

Wendell, My correct email address is ggw@lmcic.com Gary W

I don't know your flow rate or temperature, but one possibility may be an oil/water separater on the discharge. The oil would be caught in the separator before reaching the river. Several companies produce these with an automatic oil drain that could skim off the oil that may end up in the device. This sould potentially be simpler to install than a continuous monitor.