I. Project Background

A steel manufacturing facility specializing in battery can production needed to address the oily wastewater generated during the washing process. The washing line used large volumes of cleaning fluid that became contaminated with oil and needed frequent replacement.

II. The Challenge

The battery can washing process generates wastewater containing:

  • Tramp oil from stamping and forming operations
  • Suspended solids and metal fines
  • Chemical cleaning agents
  • High volumes of water requiring treatment before discharge

Previous attempts to separate oil using simple gravity settling were ineffective, resulting in high wastewater disposal costs and environmental compliance issues.

III. VWALVE Solution

VWALVE installed an oil-water separator system specifically designed for the battery can washing line. The system uses coalescing media technology to achieve 99% separation efficiency, reducing residual oil concentration to below 6 ppm.

IV. How does this oil water separator work?(flow chart as below)

COALESCER -oi water separator-FLOW CHART
  1. PROCESS WATER IS SKIMMED FROM WASH TANK TO COLLECTION TANK
  2. WATER/OIL IS PUMPED TO COALESCER FROM COLLECTION TANK
  3. WATER/OIL TRAVELS OVER UNDER BAFFLES AND THROUGH MEDIA
  4. OIL IS SKIMMED OFF TO OIL COLLECTION TANK THEN PUMPED TO WASTE/RECYCLE
  5. PROCESS WATER IS GRAVITY RETURNED TO MIX TANK
  6. ADD CITY WATER TO MIX TANK
  7. PROCESS WATER IS PUMPED FROM MIX TANK TO PRE-WASH SPRAY

IIV. Results

  • 99% Oil Removal: Effluent oil concentration reduced to below 6 ppm
  • Fluid Recovery: 85% of cleaning fluid recovered for reuse
  • Cost Reduction: 60% reduction in wastewater disposal costs
  • Compliance: Effluent meets municipal discharge standards
  • Payback Period: 8 months