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Oily Water

Oily Water

Wastewater containing fats, oils and grease is classified as oily water. Oily water can be a result of wastewater from the oil and energy sector, the food and beverage industry as well as the mechanical industry. It can also be stormwater due to surface run-off containing grease deposits.

Removal of oil and suspended solids from the wastewater is the usual first stage of wastewater treatment. This is because oils in large quantities can cause biological treatments to fail as well as membrane and deionization equipment to block. Wastewater treatment for oily water works on the basis that oil and water does not mix.

Oily Wastewater Pollution and What is Required

Oily wastewater creates pollution and affects several aspects of our life and environment:

  • Affect drinking water and ground water resources
  • Endangers aquatic life
  • Creates atmospheric pollution
  • Affects crop production
  • Ultimately endangers human health

Local councils specifies that industrial companies and commercial businesses such as car wash bays or anyone operating with wash down areas to treat the oily wastewater before discharge. Wastewater treatment involves removing fats, oils and grease using oil and grease traps or triple interceptors as well as oil water separators (OWS). For larger applications and as pre-treatment for decentralized wastewater treatment plants, the use of Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) systems combines the efficient removal of oils and grease, as well as suspended solids.

Enviro Concepts, Oil Water Separator

Oil Water Separator (OWS) use high surface area plate packs to coalesce emulsified oil droplets. DAF uses chemical coagulation and micro air bubbles to enhance oil, solids and water separation. Usually, after the removal of oil, the wastewater may require further treatment before it meets the standards for discharge or recycle.

Solutions to meet your Oily Water Requirements

Enviro Concepts provide several systems and technologies for treating oily wastewater. Check out our product page for a list of our systems.

You can also download our washbay wastewater checklist or send us your questions for an estimate.

Enviro Concepts Wastewater Management Estimate