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Oil Interceptor

An oil interceptor is a device that separates oil and hydrocarbons from water before discharge into drainage systems or the environment, commonly used in car washes, industrial facilities, and kitchens. The process involves slowing down the flow of wastewater to allow solids to settle and oil to float, with periodic maintenance required for efficiency. It significantly reduces oil and grease but does not eliminate them completely, and proper design and maintenance are crucial for effective operation.

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Taha Mustahsan
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67 views2 pages

Oil Interceptor

An oil interceptor is a device that separates oil and hydrocarbons from water before discharge into drainage systems or the environment, commonly used in car washes, industrial facilities, and kitchens. The process involves slowing down the flow of wastewater to allow solids to settle and oil to float, with periodic maintenance required for efficiency. It significantly reduces oil and grease but does not eliminate them completely, and proper design and maintenance are crucial for effective operation.

Uploaded by

Taha Mustahsan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Certainly!

An oil interceptor (also known as an oil-water separator) is a device used to


separate oil and other hydrocarbons from water before the water is discharged into a drainage
system, treatment plant, or environment. These are commonly used in places like:

 Car washes
 Industrial facilities
 Vehicle workshops
 Fuel stations
 Commercial kitchens (for grease traps)

🔧 How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Influent (Incoming Water):


o Wastewater that contains oil, grease, and other suspended solids enters the oil
interceptor through an inlet pipe.
2. Slowing Down the Flow:
o The interceptor is designed to slow down the flow of water. This allows heavier
solids (like dirt and grit) to settle at the bottom, while lighter substances like oil
float to the top.
3. Separation Zone:
o The internal structure typically includes baffles or compartments that:
 Prevent turbulence
 Direct flow
 Enhance separation of oil and solids from water
4. Oil Collection:
o Since oil is lighter than water, it accumulates at the top. In some designs, there's
an oil reservoir or skim pipe for manual or automatic removal.
5. Effluent (Treated Water):
o The cleaner water (now mostly free of oil and solids) exits through the outlet
pipe, often at the bottom of the last chamber.
6. Maintenance:
o Periodic cleaning and removal of trapped oil and sludge are required to
maintain efficiency.

🧊 Analogy:

Think of it like a glass of muddy, oily water:

 The mud (solids) sinks to the bottom.


 The oil floats to the top.
 The cleaner water remains in the middle.
The oil interceptor uses the same principle—gravity and density differences—to separate these
materials.

⚠️Important Notes:

 It does not remove 100% of oil or grease—just reduces it significantly before final
treatment.
 Proper design, sizing, and maintenance are essential for it to function effectively.
 In sensitive environments, additional filters or coalescers may be added.

Would you like a detailed cross-section of different types (e.g., gravity vs coalescing)?

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