4.

0 OPERATING PROCEDURES
4.1 General Operating Procedures
It is important that the user read and fully understand all the instructions
and precautions stated in the manufacturer's manuals supplied with the oil
water separator prior to operation. The following procedures will serve as
a quick reference for operating the unit.
1. Pumps Settings Both light and heavy phase flow rates can be
adjusted by changing the stroke and frequency settings on the
particular pump. Adjust the stroke length by turning the knob on the
pump, and set the frequency on the pumps control panel.
2. Mixer Operation The mixer rotation speed can be controlled from
50 to 2000 rpm. Turn the knob on the mixer to change the rotation
speed.
3. Interface Level Control The light and heavy phase liquids flow out
from the separator by means of overflow tubes for each phase. The
interface level for the different phases in the separator must always be
maintained at the middle line of the separator. This is to avoid any light
phase from flowing through the heavy phase overflow tube and vice
versa. Turn valve LV1 up to shift up the interface level, or turn the
valve down to drop the interface level.
4.2

General Start-up Procedures

1. Prepare the following chemicals:
a) Water (heavy phase) 20 L
b) Edible oil (light phase) 20 L
2. Ensure that all valves are closed (screwed in). Fill feed vessel B1 with
water and feed vessel B2 with oil.
3. Open valves V1 and V2. Switch on feed pumps P1 & P2 and adjust the
settings to give a flow rate of 10 L/hr each.
4. Switch on the mixer M1 and set the speed to 500 rpm.
5. Allow both the water (heavy phase) and oil (light phase) to enter the
mixing chamber. Ensure that both phases are well mixed.
6. Observe the flow of the mixed liquids into the settling chamber to form
two layers. Watch the interface level and adjust as necessary using
valve LV1.
7. Allow both liquids to overflow into their respective collection vessels
B3 and B4. Vessel B3 will contain the separated water (heavy phase)
while vessel B4 will contain the separated oil (light phase).

8. Stop the pumps. Close valves V1 and V2.

9. The plant is now ready for experiment.

4.3 General Shut-Down Procedures

1. Switch off both pumps P1 and P2.
2. Switch off the mixer M1.
3. Close valves V1 and V2.
4. Open valves V9 and V10 to drain all liquid from the mixer settler.
5. Open valves V15 and V16 to drain all liquid from the receiving vessels
B3 and B4.

4.4 Preparation of a Density vs. Composition Plot

for Oil-Water Mixtures
1. Prepare a set of mixtures containing oil and water within a specified
range of composition between pure oil and pure water. Refer to the
sample table in Appendix A.
2. For each mixture, measure its density using a density bottle and
weighing scale. Make sure that the oil and water are well mixed in an
emulsion before taking the density measurement.
3. Prepare a plot of density vs. composition for the whole range of the
mixtures.

APPENDIX A
SAMPLE TABLE FOR PREPARATION OF DENSITY VS COMPOSITION PLOT

Volume of
oil (mL)

Volume of
water
(mL)

100

10

90

20

80

30

70

40

60

50

50

60

40

70

30

80

20

90

10

100

Oil Composition
(wt %)

Density
(g/mL)

APPENDIX B
SAMPLE TABLE FOR EXPERIMENT

Oil flow rate

(L/hr)

Water
flow
rate
(L/hr)

Total flow
rate (L/hr)

Separated water
Density
(g/mL)

Oil composition
(wt %)

Separated oil
Density
(g/mL)

Water composition
(wt %)

Separation
efficiency
(%)