High volume centrifugal oil-water separation

The recovery of spilled oil and hydrocarbon fuels into marine waters is often limited by the lack of rapid oil-water separation capability. Therefore, a new design of liquid-liquid centrifuge has been developed and tested at flow rates of 2-200 gallons per minute. Separation efficiencies of greater than 99% have been achieved over a wide range of oil viscosity and oil-water ratios. Operational equilibrium is rapid and is maintained during changes of oil-water ratios, flow rates, and flow interruptions. The separator appears unaffected by normal shipboard motion from waves. Laboratory tests at fixed angles of 35° tilt did not inhibit separation performance. These features coupled with compact size and relatively low weight versus throughput make this technology an attractive candidate for improving marine oil spill recovery. Separation efficiency data on tests of water versus No.2 diesel, crude oil, and ISO 460 gear oil are presented for three sizes of separators