Oil in Water Separation versus Water in Oil Separation

While they would seem to be the same principles, they can be significantly different due to fluid density, viscosity, surface tension, crud collection at interface, wetability of internal surfaces (hydrophobic of hydrofilic), etc. Needs calculation or equipment vendor's expertise

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The type of separators referred to are common in the marine industry.

Oil/water separators are tanks that separate the oil by floating to the top, where a censor dumps it into a waste holding tank.

Water/oil separators are spinning vessels (centrifuges), that uses centrifugal force to separate the fluid. A dam or gravity ring is fitted that lets an accumulation of water be discharged. Another option is to pass the mixed fluid into a tank where if has to pass under a dam, whereby the oil remains in the first tank with the heavier water passing under the dam into the adjoining area.

Electro Coagulation leaves nothing mixed any more.

Neatest of all technologies.Same simple equipment!

Want practical help? Spell your problem in great detail to mikemahant@hotmail.com

I am curious if you do the one then you have the other???

The difference is the volume, such as bilges being pumped overboard on a ship, large mounts of water small amount of oil, centrifuges are used for fuel oil, to remove water before using in main engines or boilers.

Both are entirely different. They require different equipment. water in oil emuslidon will also require demulsfier chemicals. Electro-cogulation is not the answer as we had tried and failed miserably in some cases. In case of strong water in oil emulsions, you will need heat, a good demulsifier, a centrifuge/hydrocyclone or a simple stabilization by waiting.

A "Thing" can be "water wet" or "oil wet" and would determine the type of seperation you need. They are different.

Yes, there is a difference. More importantly you need to know the make-up or content of oily-water liquid and obviously your separtion needs/goals.

I recommend a line of products called Beko. I have purchased and installed 3 of these units to clean the waste oil trapped in the "blowdown or condesation disharge. They have outperformed similiar units out currently on the market. FYI... In our application; I'd estimate the oil content to be less than 3% by weight of condensate. The BekoUSA line of products economically & effectively take the oil out of the water.

In my experience, the non-potable water was tested and approved for discharge into the local sewer system. Beko advertises it to be 99.7% clean.

Check out their website: www.bekousa.com

Partner Pat

Given what you are asking, the principles are the same, however the application can be highly variable given the type of mixing (ie. free oil, mechanically emulsified and/or chemically emulsified), the volumes and rate of input, and what you want to get out of the separation (quality of oil/quality of water). For commercial applications, gravity separation is most common, ie. a Proceptor Separator. www.greenturtletech.com