How does a mineral oil separator work?
It uses centrifugal force (the opposite of centripetal force). An electromotor supplies the power. The electromotor rotates a worm wheel. The worm wheel shifts the force through a worm on the horizontal bowl spindle. This rotates the separator bowl. The bowl consists of a number of bowl discs where light components such as oil and heavier components such as water and sludge (sand, rust, dirt, etc.) are separated by using centrifugal force. The lighter component is pushed inwards while heavier components are pushed outwards.
