OPTIMUM COALESCENCE PLATE ARC LENGTH FOR REMOVAL OF OIL DROPLETS FROM WASTEWATERS

Abstract

Aspects on the arc length of coalescence plates of a oil-water separator as determinant factors for removal of oil droplets from wastewaters were investigated. The primary component of the separator consists of a series of concave and convex shaped coalescence plates to form multiple angles plate arrangement for enhancement of oil droplet coalescence onto the plates. Experimental results were obtained using different overflow rates and different arc lengths of coalescence plates, and were statistically evaluated. As a result, a series of mathematical equations pertaining to oil removal efficiencies from wastewaters were formulated. The predicted and observed data were compared, and optimal coalescence plate arc lengths for maximum oil droplets removal from wastewater at different flow rates were determined. It was also found that coalescence plate arc length had a more significant effect on oil removal efficiency at high overflow rate than at low overflow rate, i.e. oil removal efficiency dropped with reducing coalescence plate arc length. It was also concluded that removal efficiency of emulsified oil droplets from wastewater was strongly correlated to the system’s overflow rate and horizontal projection of arc coalescence plate area.

Keywords

• Optimum
• Coalescence
• Arc Length
• Oil Droplets
• Wastewaters