Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

OIL/WATER SEPARATORS

TC7-1
Considerations
Soils Area Required Slope Water Availability Aesthetics ! Hydraulic Head Environmental Side Effects

DESCRIPTION Oil/water separators are designed to remove one specific group of contaminants: petroleum compounds and grease. However, separators will also remove floatable debris and settleable solids. Two general types of oil/water separators are used: conventional gravity separator and the coalescing plate interceptor (CPI). Oil/water separators are used at all bulk petroleum storage and refinery facilities. SELECTION CRITERIA Applicable to situations where the concentration of oil and grease related compounds will be abnormally high and source control cannot provide effective control. The general types of businesses where this situation is likely are truck, car, and equipment maintenance and washing businesses, as well as a business that performs maintenance on its own equipment and vehicles. Public facilities where separators may be required include marine ports, airfields, fleet vehicle maintenance and washing facilities, and mass transit park-and-ride lots. Conventional separators are capable of removing oil droplets with diameters equal to or greater than 150 microns. A CPI separator should be used if smaller droplets must be removed. LIMITATIONS Little data on oil characteristics in storm water leads to considerable uncertainty about performance. DESIGN AND SIZING CONSIDERATIONS Sizing related to anticipated influent flowrate, oil concentration, water temperature, and the effluent goal. INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS Clean frequently of accumulated oil, grease, and floating debris, and dispose of properly. COST CONSIDERATIONS Coalescing plate material is costly but requires less space than the conventional separator.

Targeted Constituents
Sediment Nutrients Heavy Metals Toxic Materials Floatable Materials Oxygen Demanding Substances Oil & Grease Bacteria & Viruses

Implementation Requirements
Capital Costs O & M Costs Maintenance Training

Legend
Likely to Have Significant Impact Probable Medium Impact Probable Low Impact ? Unknown or Site Specific Impact

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

July 1993

Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

Oil/Water Separators

TC7-2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Oil/water separators will be needed for a few types of industrial sites where activities result in abnormal amounts of petroleum products lost to exposed pavement, either by accidental small spills or normal dripping from vehicle undercarriages. This will most likely be related to vehicle and mobile equipment maintenance activities. Separators may also be advisable where an area is heavily used by mobile equipment such as loading wharfs at marine ports. Limited data indicates oil/water separators can reduce the oil/grease concentration below 10 mg/l (Lettenmaier, et al. 1985). Wet ponds, vegetated treatment ponds, and vegetated swales and strips will remove petroleum products but their reliability is too uncertain to use in situations where high concentrations of petroleum products may occur frequently. Also, BMPs that rely on vegetation may be damaged or become unsightly if high concentrations of oil and grease occur frequently. The sizing of separators is based upon the rise rate velocity of oil droplets, using oil density and droplet size to calculate rise rate or direct measurement of rise rates. However, with the exception of storm water from oil refineries there are no data describing the characteristics of petroleum products in urban storm water that are relevant to design. Further, it is known (Silverman, 1982) that a significant percentage of the petroleum products are attached to the fine suspended solids and therefore are removed by settling not flotation. Consequently, the performance of oil/water separators is uncertain. The basic configurations of the two types of separators are illustrated in Figure TC7-A. With small installations, a conventional gravity separator has the general appearance of a septic tank, but is much longer in relationship to its width. Larger facilities have the appearance of a municipal wastewater primary sedimentation tank. The CPI separator contains closely spaced plates which enhances the removal efficiency. In effect, to obtain the same effluent quality a CPI separator requires considerably less space than a conventional separator. The angle of the plates to the horizontal ranges from 0o (horizontal) to 60o, although 45o to 60o is the most common. The perpendicular distance between the plates typically ranges from 0.75 to 1 inch. The storm water will either flow across or down through the plates, depending on the plate configuration. A related system is the water quality inlet illustrated in Figure TC7-B. It is essentially a conventional gravity separator but without the appropriate geometric configuration (see Design discussion below). Another name for these systems is a wet vault, essentially an underground wet pond. Water quality inlets have been found to be generally ineffective (Shepp, et al., 1992) because the recommended size (200 to 400 ft3/acre of tributary) is too small. To be effective, a water quality inlet must have the surface area and volume that is defined by USEPA (1986). They may exhibit odor problems during the summer because of the lack of bacterial degradation of accumulated organic matter and the lack of reaeration of the wet pool. Facilities in Washington D.C. have been observed to have odor but, it has been noticeable only when the system is opened for inspection. Design The sizing of a separator is based upon the calculation of the rise rate of the oil droplets using the following equation (modified from API, 1990): Vp = 1.79 (dp - dc)d2 x 10-8/n where: Vp n dp dc d = = = = = rise rate (ft/second) absolute viscosity of the water (poises) density of the oil (gm/cc) density of the water (gm/cc) diameter of the droplet to be removed (microns) July 1993 (1)

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

Oil/Water Separators

TC7-3

A water temperature must be assumed to select the appropriate values for water density and viscosity from Table TC7-A. The engineer should use the expected temperature of the storm water during the December-January period. There are no data on the density of petroleum products in urban storm water but it can be expected to lie between 0.85 and 0.95. To select the droplet diameter the engineer must identify an efficiency goal based on an understanding of the distribution of droplet sizes in storm water. However, there is no information on the size distribution of oil droplets in urban storm water. Figure 7B is a size and weight distribution for storm water from a petroleum products storage facility (Branion, undated). The engineer must also select a design influent concentration, which carries considerable uncertainty because it will vary widely within and between storms. TABLE TC7-A. WATER VISCOSITIES & DENSITIES Temperature Absolute Viscosity Density Density of Pure Water In air (lbs/ft3) 62.351 62.355 62.358 62.360 62.360 62.360 62.359 62.357 62.354 62.350 62.345 62.339 62.333 62.326 62.317 62.30 62.299 62.289 62.278 62.266 62.254

C 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

F 32.0 33.8 35.6 37.4 39.2 41.0 42.8 44.6 46.4 48.2 50.0 51.8 53.6 55.4 57.2 59.0 60.8 62.6 64.4 66.2 68.0

(Poises) 0.017921 0.017343 0.016728 0.016191 0.015674 0.015188 0.014728 0.014284 0.013860 0.013462 0.013077 0.012713 0.012363 0.012028 0.011709 0.011404 0.011111 0.010828 0.010559 0.010299 0.010050

(slugs/ft.sec.) 0.00120424 0.00116338 0.00112407 0.00108799 0.00105324 0.00102059 0.00098968 0.00095984 0.00093135 0.00090460 0.00087873 0.00085427 0.00084870 0.00080824 0.00078681 0.00076631 0.00074662 0.00072761 0.00070953 0.00069206 0.00067533

(gm/cc) 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 1.000 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.999 0.998

To illustrate Equation 1: if the effluent goal is 20 mg/l and the design influent concentration is 50 mg/l, a removal efficiency of 60% is required. From Figure TC7-C: this efficiency can be achieved by removing all droplets with diameters 90 microns or larger. Using a water temperature of 10oC gives a water density of 0.999. Using an oil density of 0.898, the rise rate for a 90 micron droplet is 0.0011 feet per second. It is generally believed that conventional separators are not effective at removing droplets smaller than 150 microns (API, 1990). Theoretically, a conventional separator can be sized to remove a smaller droplet but the facility may be so large that the CPI separator may be more cost-effective.

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

July 1993

Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

Oil/Water Separators
Sizing conventional separator (modified from API, 1990). D= where: D= Q= V= (Q/2V)0.5 (2)

TC7-4

depth, which should be between 3 and 8 feet design flow rate (cfs), limitations (see below) allowable horizontal velocity which is equal to 15 times the design oil rise rate but not greater than 0.05 feet per second.

If the depth exceeds 8 feet, design parallel units dividing the design flow rate by the number of units needed to reach the maximum recommended depth of 8 feet. Then:

Calculate length, L = VD/Vp Select width, W = 2 to 3 times the depth, but not to exceed 20 feet Baffle height to depth ratio of 0.85 for top baffles and 0.15 for bottom baffles Locate the distribution baffle at 0.10L from the entrance Add one foot for freeboard Install a bypass for flows in excess of the design flow

Determining the design flow, Q, requires identification of the design storm. The separator is expected to operate effectively at all flow rates equal to or less than the peak runoff rate of the design storm. The design storm need not be an extreme event, as is typically used in the sizing of flood control facilities. If sized to handle a storm frequency for a 6-month event, the facility will effectively treat the majority of storm water that occurs over time. All events equal to or less than the 6-month event represents about 90% of the precipitation over time. For the design storm selected, calculate the peak runoff rate using an appropriate hydrological method. Oil/water separators used in conjunction with and proceeded by retention basins can reduce the size of the oil/water separator because of the reduction in sediment loads and flow rates.

Sizing CPI Separators Manufacturers can provide packaged separator units for flows up to several cubic feet per second. For larger flows, the engineer must size the plate pack and design the vault. Given the great variability of separator technology among manufacturers with respect to plate size, spacing, and inclination it is recommended that the design engineer consult vendors for a plate package that will meet the engineers criteria. Manufacturers typically identify the capacity of various standard units. However, the engineer must compare his design criteria to that used by the manufacturer in rating its units. The engineer can size the facility using the following procedure. First identify the expected plate angle, H (as degrees), and calculate the total plate area required, A(ft2). A = Q/VpCosineH (3)

CPI separators are not 100% hydraulically efficient; ranging from 0.35 to 0.95 depending on the plate design (Aquatrend, undated). If the engineer wishes to incorporate this factor, divide the result from Equation 3 by the selected efficiency.

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

July 1993

Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

Oil/Water Separators

TC7-5

Select spacing, S, between the plates, usually 0.75 to 1.5 inch Identify reasonable plate width, W, and length, L Number of plates, N = A/WL Calculate plate volume, Pv(ft3) (NS + LCosineH)(WLSineH) 12 (4)

Pv =

Add a foot beneath the plates for sediment storage Add 6" to 12" above the plates for water clearance so that the oil accumulates above the plates Add one foot for freeboard. Add a forebay for floatables and distribution of flow if more than one plate unit is needed Add afterbay for collection of the effluent from the plate pack area For larger units include a device to remove and store oil from the water surface.

Horizontal plates require the least plate volume to achieve a particular removal efficiency. However, settleable solids will accumulate on the plates complicating maintenance procedures. The plates may be damaged by the weight when removed for cleaning. The plates should be placed at an angle of 45o to 60o so that settleable solids slide to the facility bottom. Experience shows that even with slanted plates some solids will stick to the plates because of the oil and grease. Placing the plates closer together reduces the plate volume. However, if debris is expected such as sticks, plastics, and paper, select a larger plate separation distance. Or install ahead of the plates a trash rack and/or screens with a diameter somewhat smaller than the plate spacing. Recognizing that an oil/water separator also removes settleable solids, it can also be considered a wet vault (TC1). The engineer can use Figure TC1-B to estimate the efficiency of both the conventional and CPI separators. As Figure TC1-B does not include the effect of plate technology, a CPI separator should perform considerably better than indicated in Figure TC1-B for the same Vb/Vr ratio. See API (1990) for further design concepts for both the conventional and CPI separators. Maintenance Check monthly during the wet season and clean several times a year. Always clean in October before the start of the wet season. Properly dispose of the oil. References American Petroleum Institute (API), 1990, Design and Operation of Oil-Water Separators, Publication 421. Aquatrend, undated, Design Manual: Innova Sep Particle Separation System, Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Branion, R., undated, Principles for the Separation of Oil Drops from Water in Gravity Type Separators, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia. Lettenmaier, D. and J. Richey, 1985, Operational Assessment of a Coalescing Plate Oil/Water Separator, Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle. Silverman, G, 1982, Wetlands for Oil and Grease Control, Tech Memo. 87, Association of Bay Area Governments.

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

July 1993

Section 5-Treatment Controls We Oil/Water Separators

BMP Fact Sheets

TC7-6

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

July 1993

Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

Oil/Water Separators

TC7-7

Figure B Water Quality Inlet North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual July 1993

Section 5-Treatment Controls

BMP Fact Sheets

Oil/Water Separators

TC7-8

Figure C Size and Volume Distribution

North Central Texas Residential/Commercial BMP Manual

July 1993