» Case Study: Tramp Oil Separator Extends Washwater Life
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Tramp Oil Separator Extends Washwater Life

CHALLENGE

Specialty fastner manufacturer needs to combat the rapid contamination of washwater caused by a constant accumulation of tramp oil which reduces the cleaning efficiency of the wash solution.

CUSTOMER

Industrial Nut

INDUSTRY

Nuts and Fasteners Manufacturer

PRODUCT

Tramp Oil Separator


Business Benefits Realized

  • Reduces costs of new tramp oil
  • Washwater is continuously recycled, eliminating contamination

Industrial Nut, a specialty fastener manufacturer in Sandusky, Ohio, was experiencing rapid contamination of their washwater which necessitated frequent changeouts of the alkali-cleaner solutions. A Ransohoff spray washer was used to remove quench oil from the finished fasteners after heat treating. The constant accumulation of tramp oil reduced the cleaning efficiency of the wash solution and posed a continual and expensive disposal problem.

Originally, polypropylene rope mop skimmers were installed to remove the oil from the washwater. These, however, proved to be ineffective because the oil was too thin at these temperatures to adhere to the rope.

The installation of a PRAB Tramp Oil Separator proved to be an effective and cost savingsolution.

Typically, 30 gallons of tramp oil are recovered per week with the PRAB Tramp Oil Separator. A substantial amount of this oil is reused in the quench tank, while the washwater is continually recycled. The system has proved to be a workable, effective means of recycling washwater, enabling the company to conform to the local discharge regulations.

The PRAB separator uses a unique gravity flow principle, which incorporates a porous media to accomplish the separation of the two immiscible fluids. This concept accelerates the separation of oil from the washwater before it can be emulsified into the cleaning solution.

PRAB separators are easily adapted to existing cleaning systems. Operational costs are minimal and because there are no moving parts or consumables, little or no maintenance is required.