A Phase Separator With Inclined Parallel Arc Coalescing Plates (Ipacp) For Removal Of Mechanically Emulsified And Free Oils From Wastewater

• Main Author: Haidar, S. Abdullatif
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 2009
• Subjects: TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/31745/1/Haidar.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/31745/

Parallel to rapid urbanization and industrial growth, environmental resources have been inversely affected and deteriorated by ever increasing discharge of wastewaters loaded with oil and grease (O&G), emulsified oils and free oiJs. A novel and highly efficient oil-water separator equipped with series of Inclined Parallel Arc Coalescence Plates (lPACP) was recently developed and optimized, specifically for removal of physically emulsified and free oils from wastewaters. The presence of arc coalescing plates promotes uniform flow of wastewater over the entire cross-section of the basin, and enhances optimum oil-liquid separation by principles of concave and convex design of arc plates. The tiny oil droplets coalesce and form bigger droplets as they move up on convex surface and slide down on concave surface. This novel oil-water separation technique is very much dependent on the arrangements of the inclined parallel arc coalescence plates, in addition to other factors such as influent concentration, flowrate, viscosity, specific gravity, rising properties, temperature, and detention time of wastewater in the system. In this study, based on the theoretical and hypothetical design/operational parameters, optimization of IPACP and a comparison of IPACP with other coalescence separators of different designs were accomplished. Desirable effluent concentration at <10 mglL had been achieved at usual tropical ambient temperature of below 30°C. It was also demonstrated that the effluent quality had been significantly improved when the temperature was raised to 65°C. The ability of IPACP to achieve overall 85% removal of oil droplets of all sizes and 100% removal of oil droplets > IOum are highlighted.