Keep compressor condensate disposal legal
Fourth Quarter 2007
Pneumatic systems & components
Compressed air condensate separators are usually large, messy items that are expensive to own and maintain. For many companies the cost alone is enough to deter them from using a separator, despite the heavy legal penalties for expelling untreated oily condensate to drain, or ground.
Oil/water separators using a settling tank and a weir device are commonly used to remove oil from condensate extracted from compressed air systems, so that the bulk of the condensate can be safely put into a 'foul' drain system. Consider, however, that the settling tank contains many litres of condensate contaminated with oil and allowed to stew in a nice warm compressor house. Within a few weeks, the settling tank becomes a bacteria-laden broth and a substantial health hazard.
An answer to both environmental and health and safety compliance is to move from weir-type to filter-type condensate separation. A new device manufactured by Condensate Systems, Sepura, uses a compact, low cost construction that improves the affordability of compliance for compressor users. Three Sepura models, covering up to 1250 m³/h (750 cfm) compressor capacity are already in production, and a fourth (1500 cfm) model is due to launch in late 2007.
With Sepura, Condensate Systems has devised a solution in the form of a compact separator costing a fraction of conventional equipment. It also performs to within 0,1% of total lubricant separation. Testing has shown the units achieve an average of less than 5 ppm in the drain water, over 2000 hours.
The three Sepura separator models which are currently in production
Housed in a distinctive blue polymer moulding, the few working parts of the new separator are extremely simple, non-mechanical and with the exception of filter changes, eliminate maintenance. Unlike in a weir-type separator, the design does not rely on the oil coming out of suspension, which is by no means guaranteed with modern lubricants.
When the condensate enters the separator it is first depressurised safely in a primary filter, made from 50% recycled polypropylene. The bulk of the lubricant is adsorbed here, along with any particulates, before the filtrate is polished with an activated carbon filter.
For more information contact Condensate Systems, +44 (0)1543 379212, [email protected], www.oil-water.com
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