Condensate from Air Compressors 1

[sinbj1]

All,

Regarding air compressors where the condensate (water/oil mixture) is collected in a knock out drum just after the compressor.

My question is can anyone confirm the ppm of oil in the water/oil mixture that is allowed to be piped to the waste water treatment facility?

 

[SNORGY]

sinbj1:

I think that the oil-in-air content going *to* the waste water treatment facility probably doesn't have a hard and fast limit, but the oil-in-water content coming *from* the waste water treatment facility will be more of a concern. It depends what you are doing with the water, i.e., where is it going? That would be a Regulatory matter.

I think that you need a bit more detail in the question; for eample, what is the capability / limitation in the water treating side?

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[KiwiMace]

The big factor is the volume of oily condensate with respect to the WWTP inflow.

Oil is relatively easy to trap out of water flow anyway using simple gravity traps, but adds a maintenance item. Service stations use them for forecourt drains.

 

[moltenmetal]

Generally it is a bad idea to send "free product" (separate phase material) to the wastewater treatment facility.

If it's a publicly owned treatment works (POTW), most sewer regs limit the amount of free product you can discharge to zero. You are expected to have oil/water separators on anything that can discharge any quantity of mineral oil and grease to the drains.