Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Separating
Patent
1997-01-29
1998-11-24
Upton, Christopher
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Separating
210519, 210522, 210540, 210521, C02F 140
Patent
active
058401989
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating two different materials, particularly two different fluids, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for separating two at least partially immiscible liquids having different densities or specific gravities. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating an organic material, such as for example an oil or other oleophilic material, and water mixture prior to discharging the water component to a drainage or waste disposal system, such as for example a drainage or sewerage system of a community, town or city. The present invention finds particular application in separating engine oil and other petroleum products and hydrocarbons, particularly those used in the automotive industry from water, such as wash water, run-off water and rain water. Other applications in the sewage and waste water disposal industries are also anticipated as also are applications in the off-shore oil industry. The method and apparatus may also be useful in separating solid particles from fluids.
It is to be noted that the present invention may find application in separating any two dissimilar fluids, particularly liquids, provided that the separation can be achieved under the influence of gravity. The present invention may also find application in a wide variety of industries and with a diverse range of products.
Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one particular form of the oil and water separator in one particular application it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiments and uses but rather the scope of the present invention is more extensive so as to include other arrangements of the separating apparatus and use of these embodiments and arrangements in other applications than those specifically described, including other methods.
One problem encountered with service stations and other establishments servicing automobiles is that engine oil and other hydrocarbon products used in the automotive industry are spilt onto or otherwise deposited on the floor and other surfaces, such as driveways or service station forecourts, upon which the vehicles are being serviced, driven or parked. During periodic cleaning of these surfaces, and when the forecourt of the service station is being hosed down, or in times of high rainfall producing water run-off, water containing oil contaminants or other petroleum product contaminants flow into the storm water drainage system or other waste outlets. With increasing concerns about the environment, more stringent requirements concerning the disposal of waste products (whether voluntary or legal) are coming into force. Thus, there is a growing need to provide a method of removing contaminants from water prior to disposing of the water into the drainage system. Accordingly, the presence of an oil and water separator is particularly desirable in service stations or other establishments where there is a high risk of contamination by oil based products of the water entering the normal drainage or sewerage system.
One disadvantage of known separators or traps is that they have been difficult to clean and maintain. Some are inefficient and require a large amount of space. In times of high rainfall, some separators, traps or sumps overflow so that any accumulated oil is flushed into the drainage system. Therefore there is a need for a separator which is easy to clean and maintain.
In some existing separating devices, large volumes of water are retained along with the oil being trapped or separated. Because the cost of removal and transportation is dependent on the volume being transported, the cost of disposal of the oil together with excessive amounts of retained water is unnecessarily increased in accordance with the amount of unwanted water present with the oil.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus of separating oil from water which is
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International Fluid Separation Pty Ltd
Upton Christopher
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