Oil content of 5% in condensate can potentially be harmful to the environment in particular, which means that it must not simply pass through the waste water without first being cleaned.
It is determined by law that the maximum value of the oil content must be 20 ppm. We have seen several examples that locally there may be even stricter requirements for max ppm. Nordic Filtrations Oil/water separators naturally meet all the requirements for this.
An oil/water separator for compressed air systems is a crucial device used to separate oil and other contaminants from condensed water before it is discharged into the environment. This is particularly important in compressed air systems where lubricants and oil are often used to keep compressors and other components in good condition. Without effective oil/water separation, the discharge of contaminated water can lead to environmental damage and violate environmental regulations.
Physical Separation: When compressed air is cooled, the water vapor in the air condenses and forms condensate, which often contains oil and other pollutants. The oil/water separator utilizes the difference in density between oil and water. Oil is less dense than water and will therefore float on top, allowing the two fluids to be separated.
Filtration: Oil/water separators also use filtration media to remove oil and particles from the water. These filters can be made of various materials designed to capture oil particles while allowing water to pass through.
Adsorption: Some systems use adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon, to remove oil from the water. These materials can adsorb oil particles on their surface, further purifying the water.
Environmental Protection: By removing oil and other pollutants from the condensate before discharge, oil/water separators help protect the environment from pollution.
Regulatory Compliance: Many countries have strict regulations on the discharge of oily water. Using oil/water separators ensures that businesses comply with these environmental regulations.
Economic: Besides avoiding fines for violating environmental regulations, cleaning the water also helps save disposal costs of contaminated condensate.
Oil/water separators are used in a wide range of industries where compressed air systems are in use, including the manufacturing industry, automotive industry, and anywhere compressed air tools and machinery are used. They are crucial for maintaining sustainable and environmentally friendly production processes.