Technology — Suparator
What is Suparator
Suparator is a robust yet simple product that can mechanically separate not only oil and water, but really any two fluids of different densities.
Using the same principal that makes airplanes fly, it pulls denser fluid underneath a series of weirs (aka wings) allowing the less dense fluid to collect at the top. The less dense fluid concentrates more and more after each weir and is collected for reuse or waste.
This process could separate the thinnest layer of oil – like the rainbow sheen you see in a parking lot after a rainstorm.
Advantages
- High Efficiency – Suparator removes 99% of oil within minutes of it being introduced to water.
- Higher flows – Operating at a higher flow eliminates clogging in any transfer lines, decreases sedimentation in the separation tank, and reduces contact time between oil and water.
- Continuous Operation – This system operates continuously maintaining the bath oil‐film free and eliminating the redeposition of oil onto clean parts.
- Remove contamination at the source – The longer oil spends in contact withwater, the more of a problem it creates. Over time, oil starts to degrade in thewater and causes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. The result is a very odorous black waste that is very hard to treat. While most preach increasedresidence time to separate oil and water, typical oil water separators (aka holding tanks) only cause more issues. Others suggest using some sort of media to collect oil – as you can imagine, this provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
The Suparator Principal
The sketch above shows a channel in cross‐sectional view. The aqueous medium (blue), with oil (red), flows through this channel from left to right. A number of plates are mounted across the channel, such that the major part of the flow passes underneath (under flow) and a smaller portion passes overhead (upper flow).
1. Collection
The upper flow carries traces of oil into the top of theSuparator device.
2. Accumulation
Oil traces combine and accumulate in the first compartment. Through the opening at the bottom, aqueous medium is sucked out from this compartment.
3. Decant
The high pressure fluid below pulls out the aqueous medium, leaving a thick floating layer of oil
4. Separation
The upper fraction of the oil layer runs over the weir and pure oil is separated.
The Suparator Principal in Practice
THE BIGGER PICTURE:
SKIM AND TREAT
A good oil removal system removes oil quickly minimizing deposition and sedimentation, does not emulsify the oil, and leaves no visible traces of oil behind. The skim and treat method has proven to be just that. The method consists of four different components:
1. Skimmer: A Suparskim skimmer, floating or fixed to the tank wall, continuously removes the top layer from the tank to keep the surface completely oil film free.
2. Pump: A positive displacement pump transfers fluid to the oil separator without emulsifying the oil.
3. Separation Device: The Suparator oil separator accumulates, collects, and separates all traces of free oil.
4. Return: After the oil is removed, the aqueous fluid is returned to the tank for reuse.
