How Do Separators Work?
A separator uses gravity to separate liquids that float (like oils, fuels and other petroleum products) and problem wastes (like sand and sludge) from wastewater before it enters a sewer. When wastewater collects in the separator, petroleum products collect on top and heavy materials settle to the bottom. The water is discharged at a height between the outlet and inlet pipes. If a separator is not used, petroleum products could accumulate in a sewer system, which could result in a high concentration of explosive vapors in the sewer. Or the petroleum wastes or other solids could plug the sewer. Why Maintain Separator’s? Sooner or later, too much oil and/or sludge accumulates in the sewer trap, causing contaminants to discharge with the wastewater or plug the sewer trap outlet. When this happens, you have problems, such as full floor trenches, backed up sewer discharge or authorities investigating contaminant sources. To fix this problem, you will need to: 1) identify the separator locat
