There is likely no larger industrial meeting place for oil and water than a steel mill. Because of the massive amount of water that is needed for process cooling and descaling, and the similar quantity of hydraulic, lubricating, and cooling oils that are required in steel production, the adage that oil and water do not mix is put to the test and proven every day.
Oil contamination in steel mills process water
It can take between 10,000-75,000 gallons of water to produce one ton of steel, depending on the amount of recycled water that is used. Reusing water whenever possible is crucial to maintaining costs, and to be able to reuse water in the majority of steel mill processes it needs to be free of contamination, namely oil.
Tramp oils commonly contaminate steel mill process water and this can lead to a variety of problems. Water purity is obviously affected which means that the effectiveness of this water in its role as a coolant or lubricant is reduced. Additionally, water that is contaminated with oil cannot be discharged into a facility’s wastewater system, as this can potentially cause a hazard to the environment. Finally, the presence of some oils in water can provide an ideal media for bacteria growth that can present unsafe working conditions for workers. All of these factors contribute to a mill not being able to recycle water, which means increased production costs.
Abanaki Model 8 Oil Skimmer
What counter measures can be employed at a steel mill to limit or eliminate process water from becoming contaminated with oil? For one, the Abanaki Model 8 Belt Oil Skimmer is a dependable and effective means of removing oil from water and water-base solutions, such as those found in mills. Oil skimming makes use of the differences in specific gravity and surface tension between oil and water. These physical characteristics allow the belt skimmer to attract oil and other hydrocarbon liquids from the surface of the fluid.
Depending on the characteristics of the liquid, it is possible for the Model 8 to reduce oil content to less than five parts per million in water. It utilizes a continuous belt and wiper to remove up to 40 gallons of oil per hour from the fluid surface. The unit can be used as a pre-treatment before filtration, and in conjunction with coalescing systems. The versatility of the Model 8 allows it to be used in a wide array of applications in addition to steel mills, such as:
- Wastewater sumps
- Parts washers
- Coolant systems
- Heat treating fluids
- Food processing plants
- Parking lots, garages, and service facilities
- Outdoor ponds, lakes, and basins
- Underground tanks
- Ships' bilges
- Aircraft service areas and tarmac runoff
- Truck, locomotive, and other mobile equipment washing facilities
Abanaki Model 8 Oil Skimmer Specifications
The Model 8 can be used in tanks with depths as shallow as one foot, or as deep as 100 feet, and is built to last. With the proper configuration it can handle liquid temperatures up to 212°F, and the pH of the fluid can range from 3 to 13. The skimmer drive includes an oil filled gear reducer with bronze gears and ball bearings. The motor, reducer, and powder coated finish of the housing give the Model 8 exceptionally long life, even under the harshest conditions.
For more information about the Model 8 or other Abanaki products, call your sales representative at (440) 543-7400, or simply click at the button below.
