Oil Separators – find manufacturers and suppliers

il separators are technical systems that are used to treat wastewater containing oil or other wastewater contaminated with light liquids so that the oil can be retained and the pre-cleaned water can be discharged into the sewage system or into a further treatment stage.

They are particularly necessary where mineral oils, petrol or other hydrocarbons can enter the wastewater as a result of industrial, commercial or traffic-related activities.

Below you will find an overview of the function and types of oil separators, their use and their advantages:

How oil separators work:

The central principle of oil separators is to utilize the differences in density between water and light liquids such as oils and fuels.
As these substances are lighter than water, they rise to the surface, while dirt particles with a higher density sink.
Within the separator, buoyancy forces are effective due to targeted flow control and calmed flow conditions, so that the light liquids collect on the water surface and can be separated there.
Depending on the design, additional coalescing elements can be used to bring together the finest oil droplets and thus significantly increase the separation efficiency.

Types of oil separators:

There are two main basic types:

1. Class II gravity separators in accordance with EN 858:
   These use only gravity and the difference in density between water and oil.
   They are robust, but less efficient at separating very small oil droplets.
2. Class I coalescence separators in accordance with EN 858:
   They contain additional internals that encourage the finest oil droplets to coalesce.
   This results in larger droplets that can float up more easily.
   These systems achieve a significantly higher cleaning performance and can achieve residual oil contents of less than 5 mg/l in the drain.

In many cases, sludge traps are also installed upstream in order to retain coarse contaminants and sediments and relieve the actual separation system.

Use of oil separators:

Oil separators are used in numerous sectors, including:

1. Petroleum industry and gas stations:
At filling stations to separate fuels, engine oils and lubricants that can enter wastewater during refueling, leaks or through rainwater from fuel dispenser surfaces.
At storage sites for petroleum products, refineries and transshipment facilities.

2. Automotive industry and transportation:
In vehicle workshops, car dealerships and repair stores to collect oils, greases and fuels that enter wastewater during maintenance, repair or engine washing.
In car washes, car washes and vehicle preparation facilities.
In parking garages and underground garages, where oily surface water can occur due to dripping from vehicles.
At airports, railroad operations and bus depots, where fuels, hydraulic oils or lubricants can get into wastewater.

3. Industry and production:
In metalworking companies, mechanical engineering and tool manufacturing for the separation of cooling lubricants, cutting oils and hydraulic oils.
In chemical and petrochemical plants to protect against light liquids in process wastewater.
In power stations and energy generation plants, where oils from turbines, transformers or hydraulic systems can get into waste water.

4. Construction and waste disposal industry:
On construction sites with machinery and refueling areas.
In waste disposal and recycling companies where oil residues can be washed out of waste, scrap or metals.
At transfer points and depots for construction vehicles and machinery.

5. Food and logistics industry:
On large logistics areas, especially with truck traffic, where drip losses and rainwater pollution occur.
Rare in the food industry, but in companies with a large fleet of vehicles or their own vehicle maintenance area.

6. Public facilities and municipalities:
On public traffic areas with heavy vehicle loads, such as service areas, highway parking lots or municipal building yards.
In sewage treatment plants as an additional safety stage for separating light liquids.
They are used to protect the sewage system, sewage treatment plants and, in particular, to protect surface water and groundwater from contamination.

Advantages of oil separators:

The use of oil separators offers several advantages:

• Environmental protection: they prevent mineral oils, gasoline or diesel from entering the environment, thus making an important contribution to water protection.
• Compliance with legal requirements: In many countries, oil separators are mandatory in certain areas in order to comply with limit values and create legal certainty for operators.
• Technical operational safety: Pre-treatment of oily wastewater protects downstream wastewater systems and pumping stations and reduces the risk of malfunctions.
• Conservation of resources: Separated oils can be collected and properly disposed of or recycled.

In summary, oil separators are an indispensable component of modern water protection and operational environmental protection management. They combine simple physical principles with effective technology and help to meet both ecological and legal requirements.

Here you will find an overview of the most important criteria to look out for when purchasing oil separators:

The purchase of oil separators requires careful planning and consideration of various criteria, as the wrong choice can lead not only to technical problems, but also to significant environmental and legal consequences.

• Before selecting an oil separator, a precise analysis of the operational requirements is necessary.
• This includes the type and quantity of waste water produced, the possible contamination with light liquids and the frequency of use.
• Correct dimensioning is crucial: a separator that is designed too small quickly overloads, while an oversized model causes unnecessary costs.
• Oil separators are divided into two classes according to EN 858:
• Class I (coalescence separators) and Class II (gravity separators).
• While class II is suitable for less critical applications, class I separators achieve particularly fine separation with residual oil contents of less than 5 mg/l thanks to additional coalescence elements.
• The selection depends on the legal requirements and the operational requirements.
• oil separators are available in various materials, including concrete, steel or plastic.
• Concrete separators are very robust and durable, while plastic versions are lighter and therefore easier to install.
• Steel offers high stability, but must be protected against corrosion.
• The choice depends on site conditions, space available and the desired service life.
• A professional purchaser must ensure that the separator complies with the applicable standards.
• These include, in particular, EN 858-1 and EN 858-2 as well as national specifications such as DIN 1999 in Germany.
• Official approvals and test certificates are also important to ensure legal certainty.
• In many cases, an upstream sludge trap is required to retain sediment and coarse particles.
• This extends the service life of the separator and improves the separation performance.
• Modern systems also have additional components such as sampling shafts, warning devices for maximum fill levels or automatic closing devices.
• Such extras increase operational safety and make monitoring easier.
• Oil separators must be regularly maintained and emptied.
• When making a selection, it is therefore important to ensure easy accessibility, easy-to-handle covers and clear maintenance instructions.
• The availability of spare parts and the service-friendliness of the manufacturer also play a role.
• Systems with integrated warning systems and measuring sensors make operation easier and reduce the risk of faults.
• The planned installation site has a considerable influence on the choice of system.
• Factors such as the groundwater level, load-bearing capacity of the soil, traffic load (e.g. trafficable areas) or proximity to bodies of water determine which material and construction method are suitable.
• A site analysis should therefore be carried out before purchasing.
• In addition to the purchase costs, the operating costs are also decisive.
• These include regular maintenance, disposal costs for separated materials and possible repairs.
• An initially more expensive model with higher efficiency and lower operating costs may prove to be more economical in the long term.

Purchasing an oil separator is a complex task that requires technical knowledge, knowledge of the legal requirements and a careful analysis of the operating conditions. A well-chosen oil separator is therefore far more than just a technical system - it is an essential building block for sustainable and responsible management.

Oil separators can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Oil separators from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.