Decision Tree for Improving Washrack Oil/Water Separator Operations

摘要

Recently installed coalescing separators were evaluated at three locations todetermine if the selection of each of those separators was appropriate. The evaluation consisted of a subjective assessment of maintainability, and a snapshot assessment of treatment performance. One of the separators was very easy to maintain, another was somewhat easy to maintain, but the third was very difficult to maintain and was not selected wisely. The assessment of treatment performance was inconclusive; at all locations, separator influent was already clean enough to discharge to most sanitary sewer systems. It is possible that none of the separators evaluated were necessary. The observations made during the three separator evaluations supported previous observations reported by U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) personnel regarding washrack oil and water separators. Conclusions from these observations were used to prepare a guide which outlines the process of upgrading Army washracks. This guide, prepared in the form of a Decision Tree, also simplifies some of the guidance contained in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CE) Technical Letter, Selection and Design of Oil and Water Separators. The Decision tree is intended for use by installation and facility personnel as a general guidance tool when solving and preventing washrack compliance problems.