Light liquid separators - Engineering for environmental protection: The invisible heroes in the fight against water pollution.

Basic principle of light liquid separators briefly explained
A light liquid separator is a special wastewater treatment system, usually in the form of a tank or container.

Water-polluting substances such as mineral oils or fuels are retained by floating and retaining the light liquid (oils, greases, lubricants, petrol, etc.) and separating them from the water phase.

oils and other light liquids pose an enormous potential risk to water.

On the other hand, their specific physical properties offer the advantage that, unlike other substances, they can be separated from water using mechanical separation systems.

Pay attention to density properties
The difference in density between the water phase and the light liquid (flotation) or the heavy phase (sedimentation) is decisive for the separator function. If the density of the substance to be separated is greater than the density of water (1 g/cm³), the substance sinks. Conversely, if the density is lower, the substance floats.

The separating effect of light liquid separators is based on the different specific weights of oils compared to water. The buoyancy forces cause the oil particles to rise at certain speeds. The particle diameter is included in these velocities in quadratic form, the difference in density in linear form (Stoke's law). An oil particle is separated if the flow velocity of the oil/water mixture is less than the ascent velocity of an oil particle.

Areas of application for light liquid separators

There are many different applications for separator systems.

Separator systems for light liquids are mainly used in the following areas:

• Petrol stations
• Car washes
• Parking lots
• Airports
• Car washes
• Garages
• Scrap yards
• Industrial plants Metalworking
• Petrochemistry
• Electroplating