Condensate Systems
Do i need an Oil Water Separator?
Condensate Systems and the implications
Companies that use air compressors may face fines of £20,000 and, in severe cases, imprisonment if they fail to comply with regulations regarding the disposal of compressed air condensate. Unfortunately, many businesses are unaware of these regulations, their obligations, and how to mitigate potential financial and reputational damage. Non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties, legal action, and damage to the company’s reputation, which can have long-term effects on the business.
Installing an oil-water separator on your compressor is crucial for protecting the environment and ensuring regulatory compliance. This device effectively separates oil from the water in the condensate produced during compression, helping to prevent oil contamination in the environment.
Oil-water separators can eliminate approximately 99.5% of the oil present in compressed air and water vapor.
Most manufacturing processes use compressed air, and condensate is a byproduct of this compression. Condensate forms when airborne contaminants—such as oil, water, solid particles, microorganisms, lubricants, rust, and scale from the equipment—are drawn into the system.
Everything You Need to Know About Condensate Systems & The Law
This act states that knowingly permitting the entry of toxic waste into surface or groundwater is an offense. Violating this act can result in fines of £20,000 or more in a Crown Court.
This act outlines the administrative requirements related to the discharge of treated condensate water, such as obtaining consent from the local sewerage service provider. This process typically involves submitting an application detailing the volume and composition of the discharged water and receiving approval before any discharge can take place. The act also specifies that treated condensate cannot be discharged into open water, such as rivers, streams, groundwater, or storm/rainwater drains. Breaching this act may lead to fines of up to £20,000 and potential imprisonment for company directors.
These legal implications should prompt companies to take the necessary actions seriously. Additionally, a compressor without an oil-water separator is likely to underperform, as the accumulation of oily condensate can damage equipment, resulting in downtime and increased repair costs. By investing in compliance, businesses can avoid these financial burdens and ensure the efficient operation of their equipment.
An oil-water separator is designed to separate oil from water using various filtration methods. Different types of separators cater to multiple industries, including mining, construction, wastewater treatment, automotive, and food manufacturing. In this article, we will explore how separators function on an industrial scale and why they are essential for legal compliance and environmental protection. The primary goal of oil-water separation is simple: the more condensate purified before it reaches groundwater, the better it is for the planet. There are various types of oil-water separators, including coalescing, gravity, and centrifugal separators, each with its own advantages and applications.
Removing oil from water is crucial for several reasons. Many people know that just one oil droplet can quickly spread across a large surface area of water. An oil slick can prevent oxygen from reaching the plants and animals below the surface, harming wildlife by affecting the insulating properties of fur-bearing animals and disrupting the water-repelling characteristics of birds’ feathers.
Untreated condensate—a mixture of water, oil, and dust particles—can contaminate groundwater and waterways if released without treatment. Oil-water separators play a critical role in preventing this contamination by separating oil from water, allowing clean water to be safely discharged.
Many jurisdictions have regulations prohibiting the discharge of oil-contaminated water. Oil-water separators help ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding potential legal issues.
Water mixed with compressed air can cause corrosion and damage to equipment and tools that rely on compressed air, leading to costly repairs and increased downtime.
Oil-water separators help ensure that the compressed air supplied to your tools and equipment is clean and free from oil. This is essential as oil contamination can negatively impact performance.
Oil-water separators typically remove oil from the condensate using physical separation methods, such as settling tanks and filtration.
Our oil-water separators have an impressive working life of 4,000 hours, meaning they must be replaced once or twice a year, depending on usage.
Oil-Water Separators Are a Necessity, Not an Option
Separating oil from water is not only a responsible action but also mandated by law in many regions. Numerous countries have implemented stringent regulations—including costly penalties—to ensure that oil and water remain separate, preventing oil from entering the water cycle. These regulations can vary by jurisdiction; some areas may allow trace amounts of oil in water, while others may classify similar situations as violations of environmental standards. Additionally, regulations will likely become stricter over time, meaning businesses that comply only with the minimum requirements now may face higher costs later.
Therefore, investing in reliable oil-water separators, such as a Tanair OWS, is wise. These separators provide cost-effective, absorption-based condensate management for smaller oil-injected piston or rotary screw compressors (under 30 l/s or 60 cfm).
While experiments show that oil and water do not mix, it is essential to understand that simply skimming oil off the top is not a viable solution. This is why oil-water separation in compressed air systems is critical for ensuring compliance with legal regulations and minimising environmental impact.
The solution is straightforward, so why is the number of companies failing to install oil-water separators so high? With the right information and resources, compliance with these regulations is within reach for all businesses.
The primary reason appears to be a genuine lack of awareness regarding the legislation at all levels. Management may be unfamiliar with the law and consider the oversight of the compressor house to be the responsibility of engineering or maintenance teams. Meanwhile, operators might inherit legacy equipment that never included an oil-water separator and have no reason to question the status quo. As a result, accountability falls between the cracks.
Failing to comply with regulations surrounding condensate disposal presents a significant cost in terms of equipment efficiency, potential fines, and the company’s professional reputation. Furthermore, it raises ethical concerns regarding the pollution of the local environment.
