Oil droplets and solid particles removal using circular separator with inclined coalescence mediums: comparison between co-current and counter-current flow

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of co- and counter-current flow patterns on oil-water-solid separation efficiencies of a circular separator with inclined coalescence mediums. Oil-water-solid separations were tested at different influent concentrations and flowrates. Removal efficiencies increased as influent flowrate decreased, and their correlationship can be represented by power equations. These equations were used to predict the required flowrate, Q(ss50), for a given influent suspended solids concentration C(iss) to achieve the desired effluent suspended solids concentration, C(ess) of 50 mg/L, to meet environmental discharge requirements. The circular separator with counter-current flow was found to attend removal efficiencies relatively higher as compared to the co-current flow. As compared with co-current flow, counter-current flow Q(ss50) was approximately 1.65 times higher than co-current flow. It also recorded 13.16% higher oil removal at influent oil concentration, C(io) of 100 mg/L, and approximately 5.89% higher TSS removal at all influent flowrates. Counter-current flow's better removal performances were due to its higher coalescing area and constant interval between coalescence plate layers.

Optimization of Circular Plate Separators with Cross Flow for Removal of Oil Droplets and Solid Particles

“…These correlations are listed in Table 2 equations were deemed more suitable based on the relation curves to represent the correlations between Q, and C^,,-At lower Q¡, C^o decreases. This trend was caused by increased basin detention time and was also reported by Ngu et al (2010). Correlations listed in Table 2 were used to calculate the required flowrate, that is, Qow for a given C,o to achieved desired Qo of 10 mg/L.…”

“…As flowrate decreases, basin retention time increases and C^ss The ds can be equation d^ -lineal equation (Ngu et al, 2010). These relationships are listed in Table 3 and the data were used to compute the required flowrate {Qssso for a given Ciss so as to achieve the desired C^ss of 50 mg/L).…”